University of Hull Alumni

We were saddened to hear of the passing of former Labour Deputy Leader and Hull alumnus Roy Hattersley this weekend.

Like generations of students before and since, Roy Hattersley arrived at the University of Hull determined to make a difference. He graduated in 1953 with a BSc in Economics, a degree he believed to be essential to his political calling.

Active in politics at the University, he set about transforming the then Socialist Society into the Labour Club, broadening its base and its international connections - projects he pursued throughout his career, shaping the modern Labour Party as its Deputy Leader.

Roy Hattersley believed passionately in expanding educational opportunities and offering diverse routes into higher education. More than seventy years on, the University of Hull is proud to share his goal of globally connected education delivering opportunities and growth for our diverse students and communities. We offer our sympathies to his wife and many friends and former colleagues at this sad time.

With John Prescott and Tom Watson, Roy Hattersley is one of three Labour Deputy Leaders who studied at the University of Hull.

Alumni volunteers have played a huge role over the course of the 2025/2026 academic year and their impact was celebrated when local volunteers were invited to join us at an Alumni Volunteer Thank You event on Monday 1st of June on campus as part of National Volunteers’ Week.

We want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers. This year over 2,300 students had contact with an alumni volunteer. The Centenary Archives Photo Project (CAPP) has also seen over 2,000 images digitised as part of a project to make our photographic history accessible to the public.

You make such a big difference and we're incredibly grateful that you've chosen to give your time to the University of Hull.

Find out more about the event: https://hullalumni.me/2026/06/08/celebrating-alumni-volunteers-during-national-volunteers-week/

Our second spotlight on Day 5 of National Volunteers' Week is Jo Shepherd, CEO of Worcester Bosch.

The Business Management graduate returned this year for our Business Day event, in which she gave a day of workshops to over 150 students, talking about the skills they could use to help support and advance their careers. Without volunteers such as Jo, many of our students wouldn't have the chance to hear from business professionals who have reached the top of their companies and hear their insights. Our guest speakers make a massive difference and give students an early boost as they consider their first career steps.

Find out about Jo's visit to campus: https://www.hull.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/critical-thinking-alumni-share-the-keys-to-career-success-at-business-day-2025

Want to volunteer with us? Find out more here: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/give-to-hull/volunteer

On Day 5 of National Volunteers' Week we put the spotlight on the impact made by guest speakers.

We are really proud of the role that Hull KR Performance Analyst James Deighton has played in the Rugby League Team's resurgence over recent years. As a volunteer he has inspired many students who would love to follow in his footsteps when he was the keynote speaker at the 2026 Sports Thesis Conference. It makes a huge difference when alumni who are achieving success in their professions are able to come back to campus and share their insights with students who are just at the start of their journey.

Thank you to James and to all alumni who have shared their experiences with students.

Want to volunteer with us? Find out more here: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/give-to-hull/volunteer

Day 4 of National Volunteers' Week and today's volunteer focus is Career Mentor Pete Riches.

For many students, having access to someone who can provide inside knowledge on a career, share insights and advice based on their own career experiences, or can provide expert guidance on how to get started in a specific industry or profession, can be invaluable. But, as Pete also says, it can be part of an ongoing learning process for the mentor as well.

Want to volunteer with us? Find out more here: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/give-to-hull/volunteer

Day 3 of National Volunteers' Week and today we put the focus on our Centenary Archives Photo Project Volunteers. Since the start of the Project in January 2025 alumni volunteers have given back over 350 hours dedicated to bringing our archive photos to life.

Rich Sutherland is one of those volunteers who has been working on this project. At our Volunteer Celebration event on Monday he was awarded a certificate for having reached a milestone of 50 hours of volunteering. Thank you to Rich and the rest of the CAPP volunteers for making our history accessible.

Find out more about the project: https://hullalumni.me/2025/06/04/hull-remembered-alumni-volunteers-bring-campus-history-to-life/

Want to volunteer with us? Find out more here: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/give-to-hull/volunteer

Vacancy!!!

Come and join us in the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team at the University of Hull. We are looking to recruit an Alumni Engagement Assistant to support a busy programme of events, communications and volunteering, and to be the first point of contact for our alumni and the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team.

This is a perfect role for someone eager to gain hands-on experience across a wide range of activities.

Find out more: https://uoh.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/University_of_Hull_Careers/job/Wilberforce-Building/Alumni-Engagement-Assistant_JR102236

It's National Volunteers' Week and we are celebrating the impact made by our wonderful community of alumni volunteers. This year over 2,300 students have had direct contact with a graduate offering inspiration, advice and careers insights: either as mentors or as guest speakers.

Today's volunteer spotlight is Dr Nina Purvis who has done so much to inspire our students by sharing the story of her career so far - a journey that has taken her from Hull to Antarctica.

See Nina's talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbfyg9_PAc

Want to volunteer with us? Find out more here: https://www.hull.ac.uk/alumni/give-to-hull/volunteer

We are looking for a new colleague to work with us in our Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team as a CRM and Data Officer!

If tidy, healthy datasets make you tick, spotting trends motivates you, and you're confident exploring new technologies we have the perfect role for you.

This is a unique opportunity where you’ll have the freedom to shape the role to maximise impact on our Hull community.

Applications close 21/06/2026.

Find out more here:

https://uoh.wd103.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/University_of_Hull_Careers/details/CRM-and-Data-Officer_JR102612