Graduate cohort information

Iona joined the Rotational Professional Services Stream from the University of York, with a BA (Hons) in Business of the Creative Industries.

Iona is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and is excited to work with her mentor Rae Preston (Cornwall Programme Manager - WIC) as she learns more about this area of Higher Education. She has also been working as the social media and communications officer for the staff LGBTQ+ Network.

Her previous placements have been in Learning Experiences & Innovation (Education and Academic Services), Service Experience (PS Connect) and multiple teams within External Engagement and Global (Penryn). Currently, Iona is supporting the University Mental Health Charter (HR, Culture and Assurance) which ties in her passions around EDI, accessibility and wellbeing.

Xuecong [shuer-tsom] joined the Rotational Professional Services Stream from University College London, where she completed an MSc in Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She previously studied at Lancaster University, where she obtained a BSc in Accounting and Finance.

With a strong interest in sustainability, data, and creative problem-solving, Xuecong has benefited from the expertise of her first-year mentor, Joanna Chamberlain (Director of Sustainability), and will be supported by Helen Cocks, Assistant Director of Digital and Engagement, in her second year of the scheme.

During her first year, Xuecong completed placements across Services Experience (PS Connect), Sustainability (FICS), and Degree Apprenticeships (Exeter Innovation), contributing to projects that improved ways of working, supported the delivery of the new Sustainability Strategy, enhanced programme marketing, and improved process automation.

In her second year, she will continue to build her transferable skills through placements in Wellbeing, Inclusion and Culture (HR, Culture and Assurance) and Education and Academic Services.

Anna joined the Rotational Professional Services Stream after studying Theology and Religion here at the University of Exeter.

Anna is passionate about project management and EDI, with a focus on widening participation and social mobility. We are excited to see her learn more about these areas under the guidance of her Senior Mentor, Jeremy Diaper (Director of Governance Services).

In her first year, Anna completed placements in Strategy, Policy, and Performance (Research Services), Talent & Policy (HR, Culture and Assurance) and Service Experience (PS Connect). Now in her second year of the scheme, Anna’s fourth placement is in ESE Faculty Operations (Education and Academic Services), where she is supporting projects at faculty-level and in the Business School Accreditations and Rankings team.

Alex Basta holds a BSc (Hons) in Immersive Computing from Falmouth University and is a member of the Future Leaders and Innovators Graduate Scheme on the Technology stream.

He is focused on improving digital services for students and staff and developing his skills across IT service delivery and transformation.

Alex’s first placement was with the Desktop Support team, assisting students and staff with technical issues across campus. His second placement was with Vendor Management, where he worked with another member of the cohort on an optimisation project for OneDrive, producing a report highlighting future challenges for business-as-usual processes. In his third placement within Enterprise Device Management, he created the foundations of a unified software catalogue to improve visibility and governance of University software.

Alex is currently in his fourth placement supporting IT Services project managers, gaining experience in project delivery and developing his PRINCE2 practice.

Harry joined the Future Leaders and innovators Graduate Scheme on the Technology in Professional Services stream, after obtaining a BSc in Computer Science and Philosophy from the University of Exeter. He has a keen interest in digital transformation, software development, and solution architecture; in particular cloud and data infrastructure.

In his first year on the scheme, Harry's senior mentor was Mike Westwood (Assistant Director, IT Solutions Delivery). His placements included working on design, delivery and technical documentation for MyExeter within the Digital Team, a cloud storage analysis and migration project within IT Services, and data analysis and AI application development within the Data team. 

In the second year of the scheme, Harry will be mentored by Chris Frost (Director of Digital Transformation) and work in placements across Solution Architecture and Digital Engineering.

Tasmin has joined the Rotational Professional Services Stream from the University of Birmingham, with a BSc in Business Management with Marketing.

Tasmin is passionate about student recruitment and engagement and improving their university experiences. Her Senior Mentor, Alicia O'Grady (Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global) will support her career development, and we look forward to seeing their partnership develop.

She will be completing placements in Service Experience (PS Connect), Degree Apprenticeships (Exeter Innovation) and Marketing (Finance, Infrastructure, and Commercial Services) in her first year on the Graduate Scheme.

Becky studied at the University of Exeter, completing both her BSc in Psychology and her MSc in Social and Organisational Psychology. She joined us on the Rotational Professional Services stream in September 2025.

She has had a keen interest in sustainability throughout her studies, which she continues to develop through her work in Professional Services. This passion will be further supported by her senior mentor Jo Chamberlain (Director of Sustainability, FICS). Additionally, Becky is committed to wellbeing, inclusivity and holistic approaches to understanding and supporting people with the aim of creating healthier and more positive work environments.  

Becky will be completing placements in Research Development and Research Culture (Research Services), Staff Wellbeing (HR, Culture and Assurance) and Service Experience (PS Connect). 

Utkarsh has joined the Rotational Professional Services Stream from the University of Exeter, where he studied BSc Economics with Work Industrial Placement.

He is passionate about Data and digital transformation, and we are excited to see him thrive under the mentorship of Peter Scargill (Director of Commercial, Residential & Campus Services). He is based in Exeter and brings a thoughtful, innovative approach to his work, with a strong interest in using technology to improve services and experiences across the University.

His placements in his first year on the scheme are in AI Enablement (Digital Transformation), HR Systems (PS Connect), and he will be spending his third placement working in Event Exeter (Finance, Infrastructure, and Commercial Services) – all areas that will benefit greatly from his curiosity, drive, and collaborative spirit.