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BBA 2022 Nominees: Study UK Alumni of the Year

Written by BCCJ
October 25, 2022
British Business Awards

By the conclusion of the British Business Awards 2022 (#BBA2022) nomination period, we had received 49 eligible nominations across 7 categories.

The following 8 individuals are now in the running to lift the BBA Study UK Alumni of the Year trophy.

“Open to individuals of any nationality who have studied at a UK higher education institution and are now working in Japan. Applicants should demonstrate how their educational background in the UK has contributed to achievements in their professional field.“

BBA 2022 Study UK Alumni of the Year Nominees

(In alphabetical order)

Caitlin Puzzar

After graduating from Keele University with a BA Criminology with a competency in Japanese, Caitlin Puzzar moved to Japan and began teaching as part of the JET Programme. During that time, she noticed flaws in safeguarding methods employed at schools. In response she developed Guardian, an app designed to help assist in the early detection of child abuse.

James Nepaulsingh

A graduate of Oxford University and the Royal College of Art and with a coaching certification from Cambridge University, James’ experience as a man of colour within the UK education system provided him with the resilience to break through glass ceilings. He is one of the most senior foreign lawyers in Japan, a podcaster and artist. James shares his unique insights with both the foreign community and Japanese society generally to elevate others: in boardrooms, on his Plus Future Podcast and through his artworks, recently exhibited at a virtual exhibition that took place during a private event organised at the National Gallery, London.

Kathleen Reilly

After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London with a master’s degree in Jewellery and Metalwork, Reilly moved to Japan in 2019 as a winner of the prestigious Daiwa-Foundation Scholarship. She spent a year and a half training in Tsubame City, sharing knowledge that fosters a greater understanding of British and Japanese culture. Reilly wishes to promote how having access to the methods of teaching available in both the UK and Japan can result in innovative and thought-provoking work that encourages new links between these two countries.

Maiko Todoroki

Having spent 25 years abroad after leaving Japan at age of 12, Maiko believes it is her time spent studying in the UK that broadened her horizons more than anything. She wishes to use the BBAs as a chance to demonstrate the positive impact that obtaining a degree from a UK University had in being able to carry out her current role as CEO of Poppins Corporation, a firm that supports working women by providing child-rearing and elderly care services in Japan.

Makoto Watanabe

Makoto earned a UK MBA in Finance from the University of Liverpool. His studies helped him work, managing investments at a telecoms company for the construction of overseas data centres. Made possible by his UK education, Makoto then moved to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) in 2017. He contributes to the sustainability of Japan’s regional economy by promoting and attracting foreign visitors to Japan. Makoto hopes that by sharing his experiences, the younger generation too will consider the many benefits that can come with having a UK education.

Marisa Ueda

Marisa gained a TEFL diploma at The University of East Anglia and an MA in Applied Linguistics at The University of Reading. She hopes to set an example of what a UK education can bring for the younger generation, even though the road is not always an easy one, and to demonstrate how coming out the other side has paid off handsomely and in rounding off both her skillset and mindset.

Stasia Matsumoto

As a fresh graduate of Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Leeds, Matsumoto moved to Japan in 2012. She developed a deep interest in kimono and after 5 years of studying at Aoyama Kimono Gakuin, she obtained a professional kimono teacher licence recognised by The Japan Association for Promoting Kimono. In 2018 she founded INKIMONO — an inclusive, sustainable and educational kimono experience in Asakusa. Through her work, Matsumoto showcases authentic kimono and promotes better understanding of this important cultural garment, especially among the foreign community in Japan. She is hoping to inspire other young graduates to not be afraid to seek professional opportunities within industries often considered non-standard.

Yuki Ishida

Yuki hopes this application will encourage more people to study and live in the UK, an experience that really helped her carve out her own path. Following her education, Yuki went on to teach both in the UK and Japan, as well as work at an English education company which gave her the opportunity to continue living in the UK. She feels that she has since been able to cooperate more effectively with people from all backgrounds and create more academic and practical English curriculums for people studying English in Japan.

Judging

The decision on a winning BBA 2022 entry is the result of the combined score of 7 separate judges, who independently score assigned submissions using the same scoring matrix.

To ensure transparency, each judge independently returns his or her score sheet to the BCCJ office by 31 October 2022 and the results are tabulated confidentially. The scores from each judge are then totalled for each nominee, and the nomination with the highest accumulative score is declared the category winner.

In the event of two nominees receiving the same final score, all judges will be asked to review their scores for these companies/individuals, and the submission with the highest score from this second round of judging will be declared the winner.

The final results remain confidential until the BBA ceremony – held on the evening of November 2, 2022 online.

Judges

We are delighted to reveal the names of our BBA 2022 judges – a truly great lineup of accomplished leaders who are actively engaged in bolstering UK-Japan relations! This esteemed panel of judges will put into practice their expertise and specialist experience to decide which companies and individuals should receive a prestigious BBA trophy.

John Amari | Writer and Innovation Consultant
Louise Dalgliesh | Assistant Coach, Japan Womens XV
Yoko Ishikura | Professor Emeritus, Hitotsubashi University
Adam Marshall CBE | Senior Adviser to HSBC UK/Former Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce
Mika Masuyama | President, Masuyama & Company
Andrew Ramroop OBE CMTT  | CEO, Maurice Sedwell (Savile Row) Ltd. / Principal, Savile Row Academy
Hideo Suzuki | Executive Advisor, Nippon Steel

http://bccjapan.com/events/british-business-awards-2022/