The Alumni Association Committee helps to champion and support Bristol’s alumni community by working in partnership with alumni, the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) and the wider University. Committee members provide expert advice, strategic insight and act as ambassadors for the University and its alumni.
This year, three new members will join our 2022 – 2023 committee: Fred Moss (BA 2013), Vona Aghoghovbia Ezichi (BSc 2005) and Harri Davies (LLB 2013). Jonathan Phillips (BSc 1994) will remain as Chair for a second term to 2025. Read their bios below to learn more about them.
Jonathan Phillips (BSc 1994), Chair
I obtained a BSc in Geology in 1994. I am the Co-Founder of Lithos Partners, a UK-based digital consultancy, specialising in digital communications, digital workplace and digital employee experience initiatives. We are a globally recognised leader in digital, advising the world’s most recognised brands including Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Shell. I am a Communications Advisor to the UK Government, a regular keynote speaker and an experienced Non-Executive Director. I was formerly Chair of the Rainbow Centre for Children and the University of Bristol Students’ Union; and a member of the University of Bristol Court and the Royal Institution.
Vona Aghoghovbia Ezichi (BSc 2005)
I graduated from the University in 2005 with a BSc in Accounting and Management. After university, I started my professional career in Financial Services Audit with KPMG and BNP Paribas. I am currently a Global Director of Accounting at JLL: a Real Estate Services & Investment Management firm. I am a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Professional.
I have a passion for family, strong values, ethical thinking and conduct, risk awareness and compliance. I also champion the creation of inclusive environments in organizations, shattering the glass ceiling and inspiring young people to flourish in the corporate world. I have fond memories of my time at Bristol, I graduated with a great degree that has been fundamental to the career success that I enjoy. I met lifelong friends including my husband to whom I’ve been married to for over 10 years. Bristol is very dear to me and I am excited about the opportunity to use my skills and experience to add value to the University as an Alumni Association Committee Member.
Fred Moss (BA 2013)
I graduated from Bristol in 2013 with a BA in Theology and Religious Studies. From there I moved into management consulting, working on large technology infrastructure projects at Capgemini Consulting. I then moved into a commercial role at a very young startup called Hive Learning founded by Sir Clive Woodward. Our mission today is to help organizations transform their culture through small, actionable behaviors – in particular around core topics like DEI, sustainability and leadership. I now run the commercial side of the business as Commercial Director. I also spent a year on the Bristol Foundation board in New York whilst setting up Hive Learning in the US.
Harri Davies (LLB 2013)
I completed my LLB, which included a study abroad year in Hong Kong, between 2009 and 2013. Having been a lawyer, I am now an Associate Director at Aspiring Solicitors, a social enterprise which addresses inequality within the legal profession by assisting diverse talent at university level to access the country’s leading law firms. Alumni play a central and growing role in supporting universities to unlock the potential of students. I look forward to applying my knowledge and experience to enhance their impact as mentors and role models, particularly for underrepresented undergraduates, in my role on the Alumni Association Committee.
Max Austin (BA 2015)
I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2015 with a BA in History, and previously acted as a Sabbatical Officer at Bristol Students’ Union. I have seen first-hand the transformative role alumni play in the lives of Bristol students and the wider University. The Alumni Association Committee is at the heart of maximising this impact, here to ensure that every graduate has access to a meaningful, relevant and accessible network for life. This ambitious mission requires us all to work together in exciting new ways. To be part of it, for me, is an immense privilege.
Hillary Gyebi-Ababio (BSc 2019)
I graduated from the University in 2019 with a BSc in Social Policy and was the Undergraduate Education Officer at Bristol Students’ Union (2019-20). I am currently the Vice President (Higher Education) at the National Union of Students, where I am part of a team representing 7 million students across the UK working on campaigns such as decolonisation, creating a new vision for education and wider campaigns to improve the lives of students. As part of the Alumni Association Committee, it has been and remains a priority for me to connect students with alumni, especially those from minoritised backgrounds. The vision and purpose of this committee is inspiring to me as it plays a big part in ensuring that the University is a place that welcomes, supports, and enables all that pass through it to thrive. I am particularly keen to see the Alumni Association Committee play a key part in the University’s work on race and confronting the systemic injustices that impact current students and alumni at the University.
Natasha Guerra (BSc 2009)
Graduating from the University with a physics degree in 2009 created the foundation of the work ethic and passion for collaboration that I now channel into my business. I’m the CEO and Founder of Runway East, a flexible office space provider for startups, and Chair of the ICE List, a global community of the most exciting entrepreneurs. Runway East houses over 200 companies including the likes of ClassPass, Settled and YellowDog and our startups have raised over £580million in funding to date. My core interests lie in nurturing high-growth startups and building collaborative tech communities, one of those communities being in Bristol where we have two Runway East sites. I feel honoured to be part of the Alumni Association Committee in this great city of exceptional talent.
Suwei Jiang (MBA 1997)
I studied for my MBA in International Business in 1996-97 and benefited hugely from the deep expertise of the faculty and diverse nature of the student body. I am now a partner at PwC leading our China Business Group based in London. I am an advisory board member for the Confucius Institute for Business at LSE, and an ambassador for the Women in Finance network in China launched by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Lastly, I also mentor at the 30% club, a cross-company senior female leadership development platform. I am very excited to join the Alumni Association Committee and look forward to leveraging my years of experience and expertise with the China market to support the University’s relationship in this market and its engagement with Chinese alumni.
Matt Stringer (BA 1989)
I graduated with a BA in History in 1989. After graduating I spent 30 years working in retail and retail consulting before moving recently to become a national charity CEO. Having contributed to the University of Bristol for many years as a Pioneer and through support for the University of Bristol Rugby Club (UBRFC), it was a natural step to volunteer to join the Alumni Association Committee. Being a member of the Alumni Association Committee will be a real privilege and it will be an honour to serve.
For further information on the Alumni Association Committee please contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) on: alumni-volunteers@bristol.ac.uk