The entrepreneur behind learning platform Kahoot! and an award-winning interior designer involved with some of the world’s most luxurious hotels have been named as the 2023 inductees into Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Arts and Creative Industries Alumni Hall of Fame.
Johan Brand and Karen Hay have been recognised for forging outstanding careers in their fields since completing their studies at ENU. The honour serves as a tribute to their creative talents and recognises their professional achievements.
Based in Oslo and Hong Kong respectively, they will both return to Edinburgh to be formally inducted to the Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Wednesday 31 May at the University’s Merchiston campus.
Reacting to the news, Johan said: “I thought it was a scam email at first! I often think about my time studying at ENU but to know that the University is looking at the thousands of people who studied there, it’s a huge honour.
“I told my colleagues about the award because it’s not just me. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done with others. I may be getting this personal honour but it’s also in recognition of the work the team has done.”
Karen said: “Being inducted into the SACI Hall of Fame means the world to me. It’s a huge honour to be considered for this accolade, and for me it represents all the years of hard work, vision and tenacity, and the risks that I have taken in my career.
“When I started at Edinburgh Napier in 1987 it was still a polytechnic, but it gained the university accreditation and status whilst I was studying. When I graduated in 1991, I graduated with a university degree, so it kind of felt like I had cheated! But the University has grown and continues to grow to be an internationally recognised and respected institution.
“It certainly gave me the foundations on which to start and build my career.”
The SACI Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2016, with previous inductees including car designer Moray Callum, interior designer Jeanette MacIntyre and political journalist Nick Eardley.
25
0
20
