The MBA Mentor of the Year Award

Our mentoring programme is a fundamental part of our MBA’s life-transforming experience.

Each year, alongside their programme, our Durham MBA (Full-time) students are offered the support of a mentor to help them navigate the demands of MBA study and prepare for the transition to the workplace.

The mentoring programme is a cornerstone of the Durham MBA (Full time) programme, in which each student is matched with mentors from the business and alumni world, to provide guidance and support.

Our Mentors of the Year

2023: Nabil Parkar, MBA 2017

"There are numerous reasons why Nabil deserves to be recognised as a mentor. Right from the first contact, he has been supportive, encouraging and has been a guiding light. He always went above and beyond in his advice to help me strategically approach the problem and find solutions. He would devise an actual plan on how I can tackle things, not just give me vague words of encouragement. Be it academics, time management, feeling overwhelmed or career planning." ( Utsa Bajaj, MBA 2023)

2022: Paul Aldrich, MBA 2001

"At first, I was wondering why is he my mentor as his current job profile is nothing that I want. As the engagement goes on, I realised that this is great because he complements what I'm lacking of and I'm able to learn from his perspective, eventually I have become a well-rounded person (both personal and professional growth). We recently just met up in London for coffee, and we talked about the society, the economy and even the weather! Overall, having him as my mentor has made me feel this mentor-mentee program is the most useful and beneficial program of all." (Evon Chan, MBA 2022)

2021: Raghava Manglik, MBA 2017

2020: Paul Hollick

“Paul has been extremely supportive and helpful throughout the program giving advice, direction and above all helping with my motivation. He always showed a willingness to go beyond his expected "duties" and  provided very helpful personal, academic and professional support.” (Khalil Alloqa, MBA 2019)

2019: Cecilia Luras, MBA 1994

“Cecilia Luras was just perfect. She helped me during the entire MBA. At first identifying my skill set and what I really wanted. Analysing the current job market and identifying roles I believe could develop my skills. She helped me analysing my skill gaps for a certain role. Today I have a new job and wouldn’t have come so far without her help. I could even discuss salary negotiation tactics with her and so on. Just perfect.”​ (Nicolaus von Schultzendorff, MBA 2018)

2018: Stephen Tunnicliffe, MBA 2003

2017: Travis Callaway, MBA 2014

2016: Kamales Lardi, MBA 2004

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the award of Mentor of the Year for 2015-16 goes to alumna Kamales Lardi (MBA, 2004). Kamales has been an outstanding supporter of DUBS not just by mentoring but also in her role on the advisory board. 

2015: Frank Wege, MBA 2005

"Frank has been extremely supportive and helpful to me throughout the year. He has       been in touch on a regular basis, sharing his experience of the MBA and of corporate life. He has given me invaluable advice on various occasions for my modules, individually sourced SB Projects and general career. I will certainly stay in touch with him on completion of my MBA." (Rahul Kaul, MBA 2015)

2014: Claire Rose, MBA 1996

"The distance between us did not inhibit our communication frequency, I am planning       to see her in future when i visit Cambridge for future job interviews. She helped not only in advising how to manage my work-life balance, but also assisted in providing leads for self-sourced projects and internships. She has been an emotional as well as an academic support almost throughout the process.... She deserves recognition of all the time and resource she invested on me." (Aditi Ray, MBA 2013)

2013: Lee Ho Tung, Global MBA 2004

"Lee is doing a fantastic job as my mentor and I am receiving a number of insightful suggestions in my course of study, as well as about my career plan. Last year he helped me build up my business plan in the Blueprint competition where it reached the semi-finals, with the process aiding my understanding of how to apply business theory to practice.... Lee has motivated me significantly with regards my future career and has helped me gain the confidence to take up an internship. I would like to keep in touch with Lee and to say thank you to him." (Duc Nhan Nguyen, MBA 2013)

2012: Elizabeth Scott, Exec MBA 2001

"Elizabeth is a great mentor because she knows how to listen to me and she helps me organise my ideas in order to achieve my goals. I think she is very committed to her role". (Flavia Tabora)