King's College London

Last year, King’s alum Enchia Tsai (MSc Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health, 2024), who’s based in Taiwan, was a national winner who then became the Global Winner of the Business and Innovation category. The co-founder of Bened Biomedical, Enchia’s company provides psychobiotic supplements to improve the nervous system and support mental health.

Could any of our three 2026 national winners follow in her footsteps?

Fighting against exclusion and poverty

King’s alum Paul de Marnix (Master of Laws, 2014) was our first national winner of 2026. The Dickson Poon School of Law graduate won the Social Action accolade at the 2026 Study UK Alumni Awards in France.

Paul is a member of the Executive Committee of the French Red Cross and the Chief Executive Officer of 21. This subsidiary of the Red Cross helps social entrepreneurs develop innovative solutions in the fields of disability, child protection, independent living and the elderly, and helps fight against exclusion and poverty.

‘Receiving the Social Action Award was a true honour, a meaningful recognition of the work carried out with 21 and its partners,’ said Paul. ‘It highlights the importance of social innovation in addressing complex societal challenges.

‘Beyond personal recognition, I see it as a collective achievement reflecting the impact of the entrepreneurs we support. It also reinforces the strong connection between my academic experience in the UK and my current commitment to public interest leadership.’

Promoting sustainability

Our second national winner was King’s alum Serhat Aydin (LLM, 2015). The Dickson Poon School of Law graduate was the winner of the Business and Innovation accolade at the Study UK Alumni Awards in Turkey.

Serhat, who’d been shortlisted for previous awards, is one of the founders and a partner at Aydın Law in Istanbul. This boutique firm specialises in working as a catalyst to promote sustainability, providing legal advice and representation to domestic and international clients in various sectors.

‘Receiving this award felt like a meaningful recognition of a multi-layered professional journey,’ said Serhat. ‘As a transactional lawyer, an independent board member in a renewable energy company and a member of an impact investment fund’s investment committee, I believed I reflected the spirit of the category.

‘Beyond that, it represents a deeper purpose, encouraging younger generations to pursue meaningful paths and reminding us that making our existence impactful is a responsibility we all share.’

Recognising a distinguished biotech innovator

Our third national winner was King’s alum Dr Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades (PhD, Cardiovascular Stem Cell Proteomics, 2011). The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine graduate was the winner of the Business and Innovation accolade at the Study UK Alumni Awards in Cyprus.

A distinguished biotech innovator and entrepreneur, Marianna is the founder of companies such as Theramir, Promed and RSL. Not only has she been at the forefront of revolutionary advances in cancer treatment and regenerative medicine, she also volunteers as a mentor to inspire and foster the next generation of scientific leaders.

‘Education is one of the greatest investments we make, and alumni networks are proof of its lasting value,’ said Marianna. ‘My 11-year UK journey was not always easy, but it shaped my resilience and purpose.

‘My scholarship at King’s College London gave me wings. This award reminds me that recognition also carries a responsibility to give back and create meaningful impact.’