Alumni
Telford College Alumni
We love to celebrate our past students’ achievements and recognise how far our Alumni have travelled since studying with us.
Keeping in contact with us through our Alumni programme can give you access to the college in exclusive ways.
Please complete the form below and let us know what you’re doing in your career, which course you attended with us, if you attended university and what you’d recommend about Telford College.
What are the benefits of being Telford College Alumni?
- Keep up to date with college news
- Be a good news story to help inspire others
- Be a mentor to one of our current students
- Visit college to talk to students about your journey
- Come to college awards events as a special guest
- Re-connect with old friends and colleagues
Jordan Barrett
Jordan is part of the team of scientists which helped develop the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. “To work on a trial and potentially be vaccinated with a vaccine I helped with is amazing and gratifying,” he said. Jordan, who attended the King Street campus from 2011-13, studying biology, chemistry, physics and maths. “I already intended to go to university when I started, but the college really raised my aspirations and encouraged me to aim for a higher university,” he said. “All my teachers were encouraging of my ability, but my chemistry teacher was the one who really convinced me I could go to Oxford. I didn’t think that was realistic prior to that. My application was also supported a lot by a personal tutor, which was instrumental in me getting into Oxford – and where I am today.”
Joe Lockley
Joe (pictured making a TV ad with Anthony Joshua) completed a BTEC in science and exercise with us, and is now the multi-award-winning boss of Brightstar Boxing. He says: “Telford College gave me a lot of opportunities, and I’ve tried to take full advantage of all of them - I managed to do some mentor volunteering and coaching whilst at college which kick-started my love for supporting others through sport. I still keep in touch with some of the staff and have made friends for life at the college. I have fantastic memories of two college trips to Paris – and have since returned to the city to talk about the transformation that sport can make in achieving world change to ministers and global leaders as part of the UNESCO global ministerial sports conference.”
Harry Ioannou
After graduating from Telford College in 2011, sports student Harry went on to secure a football scholarship in the United States. In 2013, he earned his first professional football contract with Cypriot first division team Enosis Neon Paralimni, based near Ayia Napa. Harry, from Wellington, now has a degree in sports performance and coaching, and has returned to the UK to help teach PE at schools across Shropshire. Harry said: “Many of the skills I learned at Telford College are still being used now. I also gained some long-term friendships along the way with people I’m still in contact with today.”
Robert Naylor
When Rob was studying the world map in his geography class, he had no idea just how useful it would prove to be. His high-flying retail career has taken him to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States, with top-level positions at brands like Pret-a-Manger, Starbucks, and Victoria’s Secret.And he believes his time at the King Street campus played a significant role in his success. “I always thank the college for pushing me and giving me the opportunity to help mature my attitude to life. It gave me the work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my life.”
Jade Hibbert
Jade was with us both as a student, and later as a tutor too. After several years with Shrewsbury Town In The Community, she joined West Mercia Police as a trainer, working to help spot signs of vulnerability and exploitation. From there, she became exploitation lead for the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit. In April 2020 she was nominated for an ‘unsung hero’ award for her commitment to tackling child exploitation across Telford & Wrekin. She said: “I believe I owe everything I’ve gone on to do, to my days at Telford College. My outstanding experience wouldn’t have been what it was without the exceptional staff who treat you as a real person instead of just a number or statistic.”
Mo Chaudry
Multi-millionaire business entrepreneur Mo believes he would not have enjoyed such success without his ‘transformational experience’ at Telford College.
He moved to the UK from Pakistan at the age of eight, unable to speak a word of English, yet has become one of the most successful businessman in the country, owning Waterworld in Stoke, plus many other leisure-related businesses, and appearing on the Secret Millionaire hit TV show. Speaking of his time at the former King Street campus, he said: “Quite simply, I don’t believe I could have had the success that I’ve been fortunate to enjoy if it was not for this transformational experience.”
Deborah Mitchell
Beautician to the stars, Debbie is the owner of Heaven Health & Beauty, which has A-listers such as Dannii Minogue, Emilia Fox, Michelle Pfeiffer and members of the royal family among its clients. Her anti-ageing skincare range containing organic and natural ingredients are sold all over the world. She trained at the Haybridge campus in the 1980s, and says: “I can remember a day when I was in a building, at the college, and I planned my future on the blackboard.I planned to go mobile, to offer beauty treatments from a hotel, then to have my own skincare company and supply hotels – and do you know what? I’ve got it all.”
Mickey Bushell
Paralympian Mickey is the only former Telford College student who has his own gold postbox in the town! He completed level two and three sports studies courses with us before shooting to stardom with his gold medal 100m success in the 2012 London Paralympic games. He returned to the college to take up an HND in Sports Coaching, followed by gym instructor and personal training qualifications. Awarded the MBE in 2013, Mickey went on to set up Project Emotion, a consultancy company coaching business professionals to effectively communicate via body language and channel their emotions.
Carol Decker
Originally from Liverpool, the lead singer of chart-topping band T’Pau spent most of her early years in Shropshire, and was a student at King Street from 1969–74, shortly before it became a sixth form college. She recalls: “What a place that was – it would be the equivalent of a private school now. It had netball courts, tennis courts, an athletics track, redgra hockey pitch – you name it. It was an incredible school, and it was a privilege to go there.” T’Pau had huge success in the late 1980s with songs such as China In Your Hand, and Heart and Soul.
Ben Brickley
Ben became the youngest ever executive board member of the London-based political think-tank Parliament Street in 2017 and has been involved in campaigns with the United Nations, as well as becoming an adviser to the European Parliament, and policy officer for the government of Gibraltar. It’s a far cry from the public uniformed services course he did at Telford College, but he says: “I believe it gave me the discipline needed to pursue my ambitions. The values of this course, and the ability of tutors to push students to their full potential, have helped shape and guide me to the path that I am currently on.”
Ryan Bentley
Ryan Bentley is a music producer, recording engineer and composer who studied at King Street, and has since worked with the likes of Jake Bugg, Mika, Birdy, Lilly Allen and Seal. He said: “My experience provided me with an opportunity to practice my dream vocation of Music Technology in a practical manner, along with giving me the space and autonomy to get my first true taste of adulthood and independence, not only socially but academically too. A lot was down to the inspiring lecturer I had at the time, who encouraged me to try, practice and push myself; along with their invaluable industry experience and knowledge.”
Kai Owen
Since graduating from his level three diploma in sport at Telford College, Kai has become an international rugby star, making his debut for England in the Under 20s Six Nations competition after impressing selectors with his performances for Worcester Warriors. One of Kai’s most vivid memories from his time at college was a four-day expedition to Wales, to take part in a host of activities including white water rafting, gorge walking, and axe throwing. He said: “Great teaching and friends have been made. I couldn’t have selected a better course to develop me as a whole person, and not just academically. Memories for a lifetime have been made.” Picture: Robbie Stephenson/JMP
James Farley
After completing arts and dance training at Telford College, the former Newport Adams’ Grammar School student continued his studies at Manchester School of Theatre, and ended up realising a lifelong ambition of becoming a professional actor. As well as appearing in several London stage productions, he’s had a role in Secret Cinema’s adaptation of cult TV show Stranger Things, and also appeared in wartime film drama Turkish Ice Cream. James said: “Looking back to my time at college, it has helped to put me exactly where I wanted to be.”
Collette Williams
Collette Williams was among the former students who returned for the opening of the new music centre at the Haybridge campus. She is now a professional drummer, who featured on The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 as part of Irish/American pop and alternative rock group Shakespears Sister, and has performed at many big festivals. Collette said: “I love being a musician, and with thanks to my tutors at Telford College, my dream has come true. I had some of the best days at college and I was grateful to have been invited to the new music centre launch. The facilities look fantastic.”
Ash Rawlins
Football star Ash caught the eye of talent scouts from professional football clubs during his level three BTEC and HND sports studies with Telford College, and ended up having trials with the likes of Leicester City and Stoke City. Having originally joined National League club Barrow FC, he is now a regular fixture on the Shropshire football circuit. After five or six years with Market Drayton Town, he signed for AFC Telford United in the summer of 2020. “Being part of the Sports Academy allowed me to train and be coached for one afternoon a week by ex-Premier League footballers and play games for the college on a Wednesday,” he said.
Emma Cooper
Best-selling author Emma studied art and design at the Haybridge campus before taking a job as a teaching assistant. Her breakthrough novel, The Songs of Us, has now been published in seven different languages, and she chose Telford College to hold the launch for her second book, The First Time I Saw You, in early 2020. She has returned to college several times to mentor the next generation of students, and says: “My advice to students is to get as much experience as you can. Use your teachers, drain them of all the wonderful knowledge they have.”
