IoD Surrey Branch warmly welcome two new Future Voice Ambassadors to represent their student communities and our future directors
The Institute of Directors Surrey Branch is delighted to announce two new Ambassadors are joining the branch committee. Following a thorough application process, two students of business and management studies from Surrey Universities have been awarded IoD Student Membership and Ambassador places on the Branch Committee. This initiative, one of several, supports the growing membership and further builds the IoD Surrey branch connection with the nascent future director community.
Following conversation with the education establishments who have sought closer links with the IoD, the recently formed IoD Surrey Branch committee of 17 Ambassadors swiftly launched an initiative at the end of 2023 to seek Student Ambassadors to the IoD Surrey Branch team.
The branch received many exceptionally high-quality applications, a real testament to the quality of students in Surrey, who the IoD hope will play a key part in growing Surrey’s future business community. After careful consideration the branch committee are delighted to welcome Naheemah Salahou a second year International Business Management student from the University of Surrey, and Christian Thomarel a first year Business and Management student from Royal Holloway University of London to the IoD Surrey Branch team.
During the coming year, they will represent their university and student community acting as volunteer Student Ambassadors on the IoD Surrey Branch Ambassador Committee. The award brings with it free IoD Student Membership for a year, including access to the various networking opportunities with high-level contacts, and the support that will follow from engaging with the seasoned, experienced directors who are members of the IoD.
On being awarded his position as an IoD Surrey Student Ambassador, Naheemah Salahou said, “I am excited to learn from experts in the field, my fellow Student Ambassadors, and the tools this initiative offers. My drive to network and establish connections inspired me to apply. I intend to contribute energy, new ideas, and a proactive mindset to the Committee. I am eager to offer suggestions for improving the interaction between businesses and students, with a focus on encouraging diversity, equality, and inclusion. Building an inclusive atmosphere, in my opinion, is essential to generating opportunities and deep connections that are long lasting for all parties.”
And, on being awarded his position, Christian said, “I’m so excited to join the IoD and get to work, and finding out I’d been chosen for the role was a truly proud moment! As a student ambassador I’ll work to be the bridge between Royal Holloway and the IoD, helping to connect students with the wider business world, and play a part in creating a business climate that allows students of all backgrounds to flourish. I can’t wait to meet, network with, and work alongside the experienced and intelligent individuals in the Institute, for the development of myself and those around me.”
The judging committee, led by Abigail Maino, a Partner at DMH Stallard & IoD Surrey Branch Ambassador for Education, Employment & HR commented, “We were impressed by Christian’s previous leadership experience, and the work he has done as part of a Student Voice project. He showed commitment to bridging the current gap between the student body and the working world and our committee viewed him as being an asset to the IoD in helping us fulfil the same ambition we have too.”
John Kerner, Founder of D7 Advisors Ltd & IoD Surrey Branch Ambassador for D&I added, “We were impressed by Naheemah’s thorough and considered application and previous ambassador roles. We felt that she would be a great ambassador within the student community, as well as being a voice for her peers into business. Her commitment to DEI is exemplary and very valuable.”
