Edinburgh Napier’s Alumni of the Year announced for 2022

Nathalie Agnew and Bjørn Hanson honoured

Edinburgh Napier has announced the recipients of its 2022 Alumnus of the Year and Young Alumnus of the Year awards. 

The University has awarded its Alumnus of the Year award to Nathalie Agnew.

Nathalie graduated from the University in 2005 with a BA in Communication Arts. She is the founder and managing director of award-winning PR agency, Muckle Media.

Since its launch in the Highlands in 2012, Muckle Media has grown to a team of more than twenty staff across offices in Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Much of the agency’s growth has been organic, but two competitive agencies have also been acquired – community engagement agency Platform PR in 2015 and food and drink specialist agency Taste Communications in 2022.

Nathalie was praised by the award panel for embodying a number of the University’s values and was described as an inspiration and a role model for Edinburgh Napier students and alumni alike.

The University’s 2022 Young Alumnus of the Year award recipient is Bjørn Hanson.

Bjørn is a double Edinburgh Napier alumnus having graduated in 2020 with a Kino Eyes International Film Masters and again in 2021 with MFA in Advanced Film Practice.

He is a producer and has worked in production in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Estonia. He recently produced the queer drama FLOAT for BBC Scotland, which won the award for Best Series in the Short Format competition at Series Mania 2022.

Bjørn was recognised by the judging panel for being a talented, ambitious and entrepreneurial young film producer.

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “I am delighted to announce this year’s alumnus and young alumnus of the year award recipients.

“These awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our alumni around the world and showcases the value and impact of their Edinburgh Napier education.

“Through peer, student and staff nominations, we identify an individual, or a group of alumni who have shown excellence and distinction in their personal and or professional lives and made a positive contribution to the University, their community and profession.

“A massive congratulations to both Nathalie and Bjørn – two individuals making a real difference in their chosen careers.”

The annual alumnus awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the University’s global community and showcase the value and impact of their Edinburgh Napier education. 

The Edinburgh Napier community was asked to nominate alumni who have shown excellence and distinction in their personal or professional lives and who have made a positive contribution to the University, their community and profession.

The winners were selected by an award panel chaired by Geoffrey H. Day, Director of Marketing and External Relations, Edinburgh Napier University. 

More information on the awards can be found here.

More information on Nathalie can be found here.

More information on Bjørn can be found here.

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer