University of Chester Alumni Network

Home
United Kingdom
Chester
University of Chester Alumni Network

We have a thriving alumni community of over 100,000 graduates. Like us to find out about all the latest news and events.

The University of Chester alumni network is a friends and contacts network, aiming to keep you connected to the University via a programme of events, reunions and networking opportunities.

04/06/2026

📖 In a previous Alumni newsletter edition, we showcased one of the most treasured items from our Alumni Archive: a 1935 Bible, donated to the University in 1955 by Alumni of the then Chester Diocesan Training College, now the University of Chester, in memory of a fellow student, Billy King.

Over time, the Bible had fallen into disrepair, with its front and back covers becoming detached and the spine significantly damaged.

🔨 To help preserve this valuable piece of University history, we recently commissioned a specialist restoration from Chester Bookbinders, led by owner Phill Woods, a local craftsman with more than 40 years’ experience.

We’re delighted to share that it has now been sympathetically conserved and returned to the archive, ensuring the legacy of Billy King and the Alumni who honoured him lives on.

01/06/2026

🎸 Congratulations to Kyle Richardson-Nickle and Liam Pickering, whose band Passionflower has secured a record deal with Marshall Records and management from Future History Management as part of winning Kerrang! Radio’s *The Deal*.

The competition offers emerging artists a significant step forward in their music careers, and sees Passionflower join a management roster connected to major acts including Sleep Token and Bullet For My Valentine.

👏 As part of the prize, the band will also perform at the iconic Download Festival at Donington Park this June.

To find out more about Passionflower’s achievement, please visit https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/graduates-win-major-download-festival-opportunity/

28/05/2026

🙌 Congratulations to Councillor Alan Smith on his appointment as Sheriff of Chester for the coming year.

🔗 A former colleague in our Learning and Information Services (LIS) department, Alan’s achievement reflects the strong and growing links between the University and the wider Chester community.

We would like to wish Councillor Smith every success during his year in office.

For more information about his appointment, please visit https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/26130353.lord-mayor-sheriff-chester-announced-coming-year/

(Image Credit: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

22/05/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our May Graduation Class of 2026!

☀️ Today, we celebrated over 100 international students graduating from the University in the sunshine, with ceremonies held in our Chapel at Exton Park.

👋 Welcome to our global alumni community! We’re excited to hear what you go on to achieve in the future!

21/05/2026

🎓 Tomorrow, the University will be hosting our final graduation ceremony of the 2025–2026 academic year!

🙌 Over 100 international graduates will be celebrated in a number of ceremonies held in our Chapel at Exton Park.

To set the mood, we thought we’d share some highlights from previous May graduations!

18/05/2026

📜 Alumni Aaron Agbanu recently graduated from the University of Chester with a Master of Science in Haematology and was part of a specially selected group of students invited to deliver a speech on behalf of his graduating cohort.

In one of the standout moments from our March graduation ceremonies, Aaron’s speech marked an important milestone in his personal and academic journey. It followed years of hard work, during which he overcame a stammer while completing his Master’s degree and presenting his research.

👏 We wish Aaron every success for the future as he looks to contribute to advances in the study of blood and blood disorders.

To read more about Aaron’s story, please visit chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/chester-student-conquers-stammer-to-earn-masters-and-give-graduation-speech/

16/05/2026

📚 Congratulations to alumnus Dr Anthony Annakin‑Smith (2007) on the publication of his second book, Left But Not Forgotten: The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester.

Published by University of Chester Press, the book explores the history of the Chester branch of the Foundling Hospital charity, based at what is now the city’s Grade II*‑listed Bluecoat building on Upper Northgate Street.

🏥 The Foundling Hospital cared for thousands of babies who had been abandoned or whose parents were unable to look after them. Many were born to unmarried mothers or into poverty, with families hoping to secure a better future for their children.

The book traces the foundation of the Chester branch and brings together the stories of the 306 children who were cared for there, examining their lives before, during and after their time at the Hospital.

Find out more about how to purchase his book via https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/new-book-tells-moving-story-of-abandoned-children-cared-for-at-foundling-hospital-branch-in-chester/

15/05/2026

⬅️📅 87 years ago today, the University of Chester marked a significant moment in its history.

The Right Honourable Earl of Derby KG, PC laid the foundation stone of a new hostel at the request of the Lord Bishop of Chester, on behalf of the Governing Body. This stone was placed within the building we now know as Fisher (photo number 1).

The architect behind the new hostel was F. C. Saxon of Chester. Lord Derby, the 17th Earl, was the grandson of the 14th Earl, who is recognised as one of the College’s six founders. The ceremony was followed by a celebratory centenary garden party attended by around 700 guests.

🏫 We recently had the pleasure of welcoming a very special visitor, Mr Tim Astbury, who was present at the original foundation ceremony. He kindly brought along the spade used by his mother, Mrs Ida Astbury, wife of the Principal, Canon Stanley Astbury, to cut the first sod in 1939. Mrs Astbury can be seen holding Tim’s hand in the final photo.

We can’t wait to share more about Tim’s visit in the coming weeks.

12/05/2026

🏆 Award-winning Chester! 🏅

🏥 The University of Chester has won the ‘Teaching Innovation of the Year’ Curriculum category at the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards.

The winning initiative, ‘Preparing Student Nurses for the Realities of Practice: A Simulated Night Shift Approach to Public Health and Homelessness’, was recognised for its outstanding and innovative approach to preparing students for real-world clinical practice.

To read more about this achievement, please visit chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/university-of-chester-wins-national-nursing-award-for-teaching-innovation/

10/05/2026

Chester Made is about celebrating where your degree takes you, from your first steps on campus to the career successes that follow.

We recently spoke with Natasha, an MA Educational Leadership alumna, to learn how her time at the University of Chester helped refine her voice as a researcher and writer.

Natasha reflects on how her Master’s degree developed her confidence in research, writing and critical thinking, and encouraged her to question policy and leadership practice. She highlights completing her dissertation as a particularly meaningful moment, helping her connect theory with real‑world experience.

She also reflects on the support of her academic tutor, describing how she was always challenged, but never unsupported.

Since graduating, Natasha has gone on to publish Raising Ella, a personal book shaped by both lived experience and research insight gained from the University, alongside her continuing work in education leadership.

To read Natasha’s story and other Chester Made entries, please visit: chester.ac.uk/about/news/categories/chester-made/

If you have a story about how the University helped you on your employment journey and you’d like to share it, please visit chester.ac.uk/chester-made/ .en.123576 to submit your story. We’d love to hear it!

Address

University Of Chester
Chester
CH14BJ

Website

http://www.chester.ac.uk/alumni

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when University of Chester Alumni Network posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to University of Chester Alumni Network:

Shortcuts

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Chester?