SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
The alumni network in UK are making remarkable contributions to the country and the world by founding organisations, developing new ideas and products and delivering beyond what was thought possible as public servants, educators, artists, scientists, engineers, and lawyers. They share a deep commitment to improving society and are transforming their communities locally and globally every day.
The UK Friends of the University of Auckland – Special Recognition Award (SRA) recognises the impact and contribution that alumni in UK are having here and around the world.
THE 2024 AWARDS
The Special Recognition Awards recognise Alumni who have attained distinction in professional achievements or have made significant contributions to society or the University in the UK. We had two winners in 2024 - Jennifer Flay and Brad Irwin.
JENNIFER FLAY
Jennifer was presented with the award for her accomplishments as an internationally acclaimed galleries, scholar of contemporary art and an author. A powerhouse of the art world, Jennifer led the renewal of one of the most prestigious art events – Paris’s Foire International d’Art Contemporain. The Art Fair was a failing enterprise when she joined in 2003 as the Artistic Director, a role she held until 2010. Since then, she has been the General Director, and the fair has become a major annual event in a city famous for its connections to the arts. In 2012, Jennifer was awarded the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and in 2015 she received the highest honorary decoration for civilians in France – the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur.
BRAD IRWIN
Brad recognised for his many achievements as a leader of educational and cultural programmes and a champion for sustainability and biodiversity. For the past 16 years he has been an integral part of the Natural History Museum’s national and global partnerships and engagement with a focus on climate and biodiversity action and advocacy. Three months ago, he launched his new career – a consultancy to work with museums, businesses and governments focused on driving global engagement around nature and climate. In 2021 Blooloop – the world-leading news source for the attractions industry – named Brad one of their top 50 Museum Influencers. He received an MBE in this year’s King’s New Year Honours for services to UK Culture and Arts.
THE 2023 AWARDS
The Special Recognition Awards recognise Alumni who have attained distinction in professional achievements or have made significant contributions to society or the University in the UK. We had two winners in 2023 - Craig Fenton and Esther Jessop ONZM, QSM.
ESTHER JESSOP ONZM, QSM
Esher was presented with the award for lifetime contribution to supporting and strengthening Māori culture in the United Kingdom.
Esther, of Ngāi Tai heritage, arrived in this country in 1957 and just two years later she became a founding member of Ngā Rānana, the London-based Māori Cultural Club – a global whanau in a non-Māori environment with an ever-widening reach and impact. In 2009, she was named New Zealander of the Year at the New Zealand Society’s annual Waitangi Day Dinner here in London. She has also received The Queen’s Service Medal ‘for services over many years to the New Zealand community in the UK’; the Sir Kingi Ihaka Award – Te Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka – in recognition of a lifetime contribution to Nga Toi Māori in the UK and Europe; and most recently, Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. In characteristic style, she has always credited her fellow members of Ngāti Rāhana in these tributes.
CRAIG FENTON
Craig was recognised for his many achievements as a business leader, entrepreneur, investor and mentor. He was worked in the technology industry for more than two decades, and joined Google in 2015. He is the founder of Big Community Records, Group Advisor to Big Youth Group, and seed investor in MyCare New Zealand, to name few. Craig has been a member of the Kea World Class New Zealander network since 2018 and was named the New Zealand Society’s UK New Zealander of the Year in 2023.
THE 2022 AWARDS
The 2022 Special Recognition Awards winners are Professor Mike Bevan, and Dr Shane Legg.
PROFESSOR MIKE BEVAN
Mike was recognised for his many achievements as a plant biologist, crop scientist and pioneer in plant genetics. These include developing gene transfer methods for plants in the 1980s, that not only changed the way researchers studied genes, but provided the foundations of the plant biotechnology industry. More recently, he was awarded the Genetics Society Medal and in 2019 he was awarded an OBE for services to plant genomics.
DR SHANE LEGG
Shane was presented with the award for his achievements as a researcher and as Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of the artificial intelligence firm, Deepmind Technologies. DeepMind is a London-based artificial intelligence firm that aims to mimic human thought processes. In 2014 DeepMind joined forces with Google to accelerate its work, while continuing to set its own research agenda. Today the application of Deepmind’s work is vast and varied. One example: it partnered with Moorfields Eye Hospital to develop faster ways of identifying – and better ways of understanding – common eye diseases from routine scans. Its technology is helping doctors diagnose acute kidney injury up to 48-hours earlier than current methods.
THE 2021 AWARDS
The UK Friends SRAs were in launched in 2021 with inaugural awards presented to Mark Baldwin OBE and Melanie Smith CBE at the RAF Club in London in July, by Julie Maxton CBE, Executive Director of the Royal Society, and Eric Tracey, Chair of the UK Friends.
MARK BALDWIN
(Bachelor of Fine Art, 1978)
Mark was recognised for his many achievements as a choreographer, artist, teacher and curator and Ballet Company director, including the creation of over 40 works for both his own and other major dance companies, including The Royal Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Scottish Ballet, London City Ballet and Rambert. Mark was awarded an OBE in the 2015 for his services to dance.
MELANIE SMITH
(Accounting, Finance and Law, 1997)
Melanie was recognised for her experience advising on strategy and transformation to consumer and retail clients worldwide. She has held positions as: Strategy Director for Marks & Spencer, Global Strategy and Marketing Director at Bupa and Chief Operating Officer at TalkTalk. She is now CEO of Ocado Retail, and is taking this exceptional organisation to new levels, whilst navigating the pandemic. Her commitment and care for vulnerable customers and frontline staff over the last year was recognised in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list.
NOMINATIONS
The SRA is intended to recognise alumni who have attained distinction in professional achievements or have made significant contributions to society or the University in the UK. The recipients should exhibit integrity, leadership, enthusiasm, and professionalism. The award is a reflection of the University of Auckland and should provide inspiration to fellow alumni and current students. A graduate of the University of Auckland who has been based in the UK for two years or more is eligible.
Nominations are welcome at all times. To do so, please contact Sue Sargent, Executive Director, UK Friends