The winners of the Westminster Alumni Awards 2025 have been announced, recognising the achievements of graduates from the University of Westminster, its predecessors, the Polytechnic of Central London and Regent Street Polytechnic, and its Transnational Education partner institutions. The awards highlight the variety of ways in which Westminster graduates make a real impact across the globe.
In 2025, more than 400 submissions were received for the Westminster Alumni Awards. Colleagues from across the University helped with shortlisting, leading to four outstanding finalists being selected in each category. More than 3,000 participants from around the world then took part in the public vote to select six winners.
The winner of the Contribution to the Creative Industries Award, which honours graduates who have demonstrated excellence within the field of arts and culture, is Raquel Villanueva. Since graduating with a Master’s degree in International Broadcast Journalism in 2009, Raquel has become a British Council Culture and Creative Award-winning video producer and presenter who brings NASA’s space exploration to life through creative storytelling, reaching tens of millions of viewers worldwide.
Denis Roman, a 2017 Business Information Systems BSc graduate from Westminster International University in Tashkent, has won the Entrepreneurial Award. Denis is the Co-founder and CEO of We Digital, the leading marketing agency in Uzbekistan, reaching $2.1 million in revenue in the past 12 months. We Digital launched Uzbekistan’s first digital library of national ornaments, now used by brands, artists and schools across the country.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises graduates for their ongoing and significant contributions over the years, at any stage of their life, and was awarded to Monwara Ali. Monwara graduated with Law LLB in 1997 and is now CEO of Waltham Forest Community Hub, a grassroots charity dedicated to empowering marginalised communities. Monwara’s impact extends beyond the UK through her role as Director of Stow Inspire CIC, transforming lives in poverty-stricken areas of Bangladesh.
Savannah Williams, a 2021 Master of Architecture MArch graduate, has won the Outstanding Achievement Award for her work as Founder of People of Colour (POC) in Architecture, a platform for students to showcase work to industry professionals and find mentors. Savannah is dedicated to improving the architectural industry's diversity and inclusion and has been recognised in Dezeen, RIBA Journal and RIBA People of the Month. She was also nominated as a RIBA Rising Star 2024.
The Recent Graduate Award went to Christiana Asala, who graduated from the Global Public Health Nutrition MSc programme in 2023. Since graduating, Christiana has delivered outstanding contributions across the global public health, accountability and nutrition sectors, including as Executive Director at The Cognito Project, advancing learning for over 43 civil society organisations and leading a school-based nutrition programme. In recognition of her expertise, Christiana was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Committee of the World Public Health Nutrition Conference and the Global Self-Care Learning and Discovery Series.
Lastly, the Social Impact Award, which celebrates alumni who have made a positive contribution to others' lives, was awarded to Mihaela Shehova Simitchiyski. Mihaela is an award-winning architect and author who graduated from the Architecture Postgraduate Diploma Professional Practice PgDip in 2018. She is a member of the High Street Expert Panel at NLA and leads the Health and Wellbeing team at Child Graddon Lewis, an award-winning architectural practice based in London. Outside of architecture, Mihaela is Co-founder and Director of the Women Academy and Associate at Foundation Endometriosis and Reproductive Health.
Find out more about the University of Westminster Alumni Awards 2025 winners and finalists.
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