20 June 2025
2025 King's Distinguished Alumni Awards Presentation Ceremony
Education matters and compassion matters were the over-riding messages as our Vice-Chancellor & President welcomed the winners of the 2025 King’s Distinguished Alumni Awards to our presentation ceremony last week…
Welcome address
The evening proper got under way with an opening address from our Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Shitij Kapur. After welcoming the guests, he acknowledged that the higher education sector is facing many problems.
‘It is a precarious time for universities in western countries,’ he stated. ‘The question in times such as this is: What is a university to do? We can’t build borders and we can’t build walls. In times such as this, the only thing we can do is what universities have done well for 700 years. That is to commit themselves even stronger to the business of education, research and seeking truth, and to the business of serving their communities.
‘That is what we at King’s have done, it is what we will do and it is what we will continue to do. And we will try to do it even better, so we leave no doubt in the minds of our societies and our politicians of the value of our university sector.’
Professor Kapur gave two brief examples of this. He discussed King’s Scholars, an outreach programme aimed at Year 7 and Year 9 students from under-represented groups in London, and the King’s College London School of Maths, which supports the brightest sixth form students who want to study maths at degree level.
Another example, however, of how education can impact the world remains the alumni whose achievements we honoured at this event.
Meet your host
The ceremony host for the evening was JB Gill, a former theology student at King’s College London. Perhaps best known as a member of chart-topping boy band JLS, JB has carved out an inspiring path as a TV presenter, farmer, author and advocate for sustainable living. A finalist on the most recent series of Strictly Come Dancing, he is also a presenter on The One Show.
The first four winners then received their awards:
Our first five winners
🟡 Professor Paul Cardwell from The Dickson Poon School of Law presented the Business & Entrepreneurial Award to Feargus MacDaeid (Law, 2009) & Nnamdi Emelifeonwu (Law, 2009). This duo created Definely, an innovative digital platform for legal professionals. Feargus commented: ‘When I came to King’s in 2005, I was freshly married and I was looking to build dreams out of something. But dreams need a solid foundation. I consider myself very lucky with the people that I’ve met in my life. They and King’s helped gave me that solid foundation.’
🟡 Elena Wilson, the Associate Director of London Engagement at King’s, presented the Local Communities Impact Award to equality campaigner Dr Souci Frissa (PhD Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2009). The Chief Executive Officer of Black Thrive Global, Dr Frissa added: ‘It means a great deal to be recognised for our work promoting equity and challenging injustice. At Black Thrive Global, we challenge systems and record lived experience so black communities don’t just survive but thrive.’
🟡 Professor Matthew Hotopf, the Executive Dean of our Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, presented our International Impact Award to mental health sector innovator Joseph Healy (MSc Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health, 2021). Joseph commented: ‘King’s gave me a framework to pursue a passion that was in the mental health arena. That has been life-changing and I am eternally grateful for that educational experience.’
🟡 Advocate for healthcare education Mahdi Sadeghi (Medicine, 2025), the winner of this year’s Future Alumnus Award, couldn’t make it to the ceremony. But his work founding the UK-registered charity, Empathos Foundation, and his work supporting aspiring healthcare students from widening participation backgrounds was applauded in his absence.
The opening section of the ceremony concluded with a performance by Kadence A Cappella, whose smooth and uplifting vocals eased guests into a break for dinner.
Our next six winners
The next six winners then received their awards:
🟡 The Reverend Dr Ellen Clark-King presented our In Service Award to Dr Khaleda Zaheer (Periodontology MClinDent, 2024), the Chief Executive Officer of Refugee Crisis Foundation. Khaleda said: ‘I accept this award not just for myself, but for the 123 million people forcibly displaced around the world. I was born in Afghanistan at a time when women’s education was banned. But it was my father’s determination and my mother’s dream to educate their two daughters. This has led me to where I am today. I am in a position of privilege and I do what I can. I deeply feel that each of us has the power to do what we can and to give what we can. That can be a moment of our time to give a voice to those unheard or to serve.’
🟡 Dr Richard Brock, Senior Lecturer in Science Education at King’s, presented our STEM Award to Francis Jones (MA STEM Education, 2023), the founder of SnapGrade.AI and a pioneer for educational access. Francis added: ‘SnapGrade.AI, which started off as STEM@Home, would not have been possible if it were not for the amazing Masters in STEM education here at King’s. I would not have been able to do the degree if it were not for the support of my amazing mentor, Richard Brock, and for the amazing generosity from King’s College London in providing me with a scholarship, sponsored by Leverhulme.’
🟡 Professor Siobhan McIlvanney, Professor of French and Francophone Women’s Writing at King’s, presented our Changemaker Award to trans and non-binary rights champion Oscar Davies (French & History, 2016). Oscar said: ‘As the UK’s first non-binary rights barrister, part of my mission is to advocate for non-binary recognition. But it’s also to fight for recognition and equal rights for all minorities.’ They then added: ‘We’re in a moment where empathy is treated like a radical act and inclusion is branded as “woke”. We push forward not to erase anyone, but to widen the frame. So how can we use our voices more creatively and more effectively to affect change? By pushing for a more inclusive and compassionate society, perhaps?’
🟡 Mark Burgess, Head of Sport & Wellness at King’s, presented our Emerging Leader Award to equality and access champion Jonathon Dawes (Philosophy, Politics & Economics, 2024). Jonathon commented: ‘Sport is one of King’s greatest exports and often one of its most under-recognised as a university. Our students and alumni make up some of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, and our sports clubs provide a unique sense of belonging during their degree. So please continue to support sports at King’s It has been life-changing for me. It has been and will be for so many other students here.’
🟡 Professor Nicki Cohen, Dean of Medical Education at King’s, presented our Global Health Award to internationally respected expert on HIV prevention Dr Rachel Baggaley OBE (MBBS Medicine, 1984). Rachel commented: ‘When I started in this field, HIV was a death sentence. There was no treatment. Now we have fantastic treatments and so many people in low-income countries are living long and productive lives. Sadly, this is all under threat because of what is happening in the United States, with President Trump stopping a lot of funding in that area. And the UK isn’t much better. We are in a sad time for global health, human rights and particularly for marginalised communities as well as academic freedom. Please continue to campaign for academic research and for development funds.’
🟡 Opera and visual arts champion Alex Beard CBE (Classics, 1984), who won our King’s Arts & Culture Award, couldn’t make it to the ceremony. But his work as the Chief Executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, and his legacy helping build the Tate family of galleries, was celebrated in his absence.
The second section of the evening was concluded with a performance by KCL Bharatanatyam Society. Two of its members captivated the audience with the precision and elegance of this classical style of southern Indian dance.
The Helen Hudson Award
The penultimate accolade of the night was presented by our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Shitij Kapur.
🟡 International alumni ambassador Kelvin Miranda (Chemistry & Management, 1993) was presented with our Helen Hudson Award. Professor Kapur introduced the winner: ‘This accolade recognises an alum who have made an exemplary contribution to our King’s community. In his role as President of the King’s College London Alumni in Malaysia Committee, Kelvin Miranda has played a key part in welcoming and hosting alumni in Kuala Lumpur and making them feel part of the King’s family.'
Kelvin commented: ‘I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. This recognition means the world to me. Not just personally, but as someone who carries the King’s spirit far beyond London. King’s gave me more than an education. It gave me purpose, a sense of global perspective and a community that extends across borders.
‘When I and a couple of other King’s graduates were talking about setting up the Alumni in Malaysia Committee, we realised that we all had this shared experience but no space to bring it together. That initial idea has grown into a vibrant and supportive network of alumni who continue to uplift and inspire each other. This award is not just mine. It is for all of us who believe in staying connected, giving back and carrying King’s values forward.’
Alumna of the Year
Sadly, the recipient of our Alumna of the Year award couldn’t attend the ceremony. But Professor Kapur introduced an acceptance video from globally acclaimed composer Errollyn Wallen CBE (Music/Composition, 1983).
🟡 ‘This award recognises a member of the alumni body who has achieved exceptional success in their field, or has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement,’ commented Professor Kapur. ‘And this alumna has done both.
‘A multi-award-winning composer, our winner has written 22 operas and performed on stages across the world. She made history as the first Black woman to be featured in the BBC Proms and she was the first woman to win an Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music.
‘In 2024, she was the first black person appointed Master of The King’s Music by King Charles III and made the 28th Fellow of the Ivors Academy. Through her talent and ingenuity, she is opening doors for talented alumni from all backgrounds as they follow in her footsteps.’
Errollyn then sent the following message via video: ‘It is with great delight and joy that I receive this award as King’s Alumna of the Year. When I went to King’s College London, which is where I studied for my Masters in Composition, I had no idea that I would go on to have a life as a professional composer. But what I did do there was to think deeply about what it means to be an artist in the world and how I might contribute any gifts I had. It was the first real open door for me. I’m sorry I can’t be there with you. But I will be there with you in spirit.’
It was an amazing evening that rightly celebrated education, compassion – and a group of amazing people who continue to impact the world in a positive manner.
Read more about our 2025 winners. The nominations window for our 2026 awards opens in October this year.