Inspirational alumni shine at awards
6 October 2023
Two alumni from the School of Music have been named winners at the second 30ish Alumni Awards.
Guy Verrall-Withers (BMus 2013) and Alexandra Humphreys (BMus 2006) were among the winners at a special ceremony hosted by Cardiff University’s new President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner and featuring emcee Matt Barbet (BA 1997, PgDip 1999) at the University’s innovative sbarc | spark building on 5 October.
Eschewing the format of traditional ’30 Under 30’ lists, the awards are designed to recognise the change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers among the Cardiff University alumni community under or over 30, who feel 30(ish).
Guy Verrall-Withers was recognised in the Social Impact Category and Alexandra Humphreys in the Journalism and Media Category.
Guy Verrall-Withers is Artistic Director and CEO of Waterperry Opera Festival, a company he founded in 2017 based at Waterperry House & Gardens in Oxfordshire. His vision was to create an innovative outdoor opera festival that was accessible, affordable, and exciting. Passionate about working for families, the company has toured shows around the country introducing classical music to children. The Telegraph recently commented that Guy was ‘bringing opera to a new generation’.
Alexandra Humphreys, currently a weather presenter on S4C, presented CBBC’s Newsround – and its Welsh equivalent, S4C’s Ffeil – ensuring children had a clear understanding of world events. She still regularly reports for BBC news programmes and has made documentaries on gaming for BBC Radio 4, the World Service and Radio Cymru. Alex was diagnosed with epilepsy at 17 and has used her profile to raise awareness of the condition – recently filming a documentary, giving a voice to others who live with epilepsy.
23 Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences alumni featured among the glittering list of winners, highlighting the diversity of career paths pursued by Cardiff humanities graduates.
Congratulations to all the inspirational alumni recognised in this year’s 30Ish Alumni Awards list.