WATT CLUB
Community and connection:
The Watt Club President and Chairs of our branch network talk about the power of coming together
We have a thriving global community of 166,000 alumni and our Watt Club branch network is key to how we build connectivity.
Kieran Robson Renner President of The Watt Club Council
“I want alumni to feel inspired to be a part of our community, and I believe that the Watt Club Council must be the driver behind that,” explains Kieran.
As a previous Heriot-Watt Student Union President, and now in his current role of Quality Enhancement Officer (Student Learning Experience) at the University, Kieran has devoted himself to improving the experiences of students. As President of the Watt Club Council his intention is to do the same for Heriot-Watt’s alumni.
“Alumni networks are drivers of positive change. Being part of a Watt Club can support you both professionally and personally, which is why they are so important,” comments Kieran. Currently, there are 14 Watt Club branches around the world.
Alumni networks are drivers of positive change.”
Kieran Robson Renner
Watt Club Zambia event, with Sam (centre back).
Sam Abrahams is Chair of Watt Club Zambia, and an Honorary Graduate of Heriot-Watt: “I believe our Watt Club branch represents the best of Zambian culture and community with a Scottish twist. We celebrate our Heriot-Watt connection in our own unique Zambian way with captains of industry, government leaders, and development professionals, connecting with new scholars and recent graduates. The diverse membership is our greatest strength and truly reflects the vibrancy and warmth of our country,” Sam comments.
Axel Klafstad is Chair of Watt Club Norway and Vice-President of The Watt Club Council: “The most important aspect of having a Watt Club branch in Norway is the community it creates,” he explains. “It provides a network for support, fostering professional connections and friendships, and ensuring that graduates have access to resources, opportunities, and a shared identity, regardless of where they are in the world. I also believe that Watt Club Norway is fairly unique as one of very few alumni clubs in Norway actively organising events.”
Constitutionally, the Watt Club Council exists for governance reasons and its members work to hold the University accountable on behalf of alumni. Brian Henderson – who has three degrees from Heriot-Watt, and is a Partner and Head of Sustainable Investment for UK, Europe and IAMET at Mercer – is the Council representative on the University Court. “He does a great job of ensuring the alumni community is considered, has a voice, and has input to strategic decision making at the very top of the institution,” explains Kieran.
As the driver behind the Watt Club network, the Watt Club Council is focused on building bridges between communities. “Fostering mutually beneficial relationships is a real driver for me,” comments Kieran: “I’m always looking to improve things and how to add value. I love making people happy, which I know sounds cheesy, but I like it when people feel they are genuinely part of something that brings real benefits to them.” Since becoming President, Kieran has applied that ethos to how the Watt Club Council is organised and operates, working to ensure each Council member has greater clarity about their role and is better enabled to drive forward impact for the alumni community.
“I am delighted that Axel has been successfully elected by the Watt Club Council to position of Vice-President of the Watt Council,” comments Kieran. “His term will run until the end of 2025 and we look forward to working with him to grow and strengthen our global alumni community.”
It’s a network for support, fostering professional connections and friendships.”
Axel Klafstad
Watt Club Norway event, with Axel (second from left).
Watt Club Houston event, with Andrew (centre back).
Andrew Buchan is Chair of Watt Club Houston: “One thing that makes our Watt Club distinctive is the size of the area we cover when we talk about Houston. It is one of the largest hubs for alumni in the US,” he explains. “We’re seeing both new and existing alumni move into the area, making our Watt Club an essential way that they can meet, connect and share experiences, and it’s important that it has relevance for all members, whether they’ve just graduated or are planning to retire.”
Chee Meng Chong is Chair of Watt Club Malaysia: “Watt Club Malaysia maintains close mutual ties with the regional Watt Clubs of Singapore and Hong Kong, and the three clubs stay well connected via regular communications, reciprocal visits, and events, including taking turns to host the annual Asian Watt Club Summit,” Chee Meng explains. “The meeting of minds over matters of mutual interest, through social and cultural activities, is important, as is providing the necessary conduit to connect our senior members with those who are new.”
Connecting together alumni from different decades and areas of study is part of the enrichment that the Watt Clubs seek to provide. They also facilitate greater engagement of alumni with the University. “There is so much added value the alumni community bring to Heriot-Watt,” comments Kieran, “and equally, many ways that engagement benefits them too.” Through knowledge exchange, professional expertise, partnerships, student mentoring, and internships, alumni support the success of the University while gaining opportunities that develop and enhance their professional roles and personal lives.
Steven McGunigel is Chair of Watt Club London: “Watt Club London provides opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and learn about great initiatives, in a space where we share a deep connection and history. It is truly invaluable. I have met so many great people through our network. Our alumni here represent diverse cultures and a vast array of industries and professions, and coming together is a genuinely enriching experience.”
“We are keen to develop ways that recognise the impact and positive difference our alumni make. So, we are looking to introduce recognition awards which will celebrate that impact and allow the whole community to get involved,” explains Kieran. “In early 2024 we conferred our first Outstanding Contribution Award, which was bestowed on Cameron Miller for his commitment and efforts to support the alumni community and current students.” Cameron has sadly since passed away.
Community and connection is at the heart of the Watt Club. Every Heriot-Watt student automatically becomes a member of it on graduation, and this flourishing community now numbers over 166,000 global alumni scattered across more than 190 countries. “Driving the Watt Club Council to better support the globally diverse Watt Club branch network is our mission,” comments Kieran. “It is a privilege to act as President for the Watt Club Council, and I hope I can steer it to greater success that sees more of our alumni connected and benefitting from staying engaged with Heriot-Watt wherever they may be in the world.”
Coming together is a genuinely enriching experience.”
Steven McGunigel
OVER
GLOBAL ALUMNI
Watt Club Malaysia event.
Watt Club London event, with Steven (second from left).
Remembering Cameron Millar
Former Deputy Chair of Court, and member of the Watt Club Council, Cameron Millar died in February 2024 after battling cancer
“Cameron was more than just a colleague,” commented Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard A. Williams. “I will always remember his passion for our University and its purpose. Even when diagnosed with cancer in 2020, he looked to help others; running the Edinburgh marathon to raise money for cancer charity Maggie's, and working to raise awareness of ALK-positive, a non-smoking lung cancer caused by a faulty gene that mutates. He also joined the National Cancer Research Institute as a Board trustee. Cameron wanted to stamp out the stigma of lung cancer and his efforts were valiant. He was a much-loved member of our community who made a difference to the University, its staff and its students.”
Talking to The Watt magazine back in 2018 Cameron had commented: “I think Heriot-Watt is in my genes! I’m the third generation of my family to study at the University: I graduated in 1980s, my father in the 1950s, and my grandfather in the 1920s. As a member of the Watt Club Council, I have gained new insight into the global university Heriot-Watt has become, and this connecting of the past, present and future, has further cemented my sense of belonging to the University community.” Cameron’s son is now a fourth-generation Heriot-Watt student.
Graduating in 1989 with a BA (Hons) in Economics, Cameron enjoyed a successful career in investment banking, working for international organisations including Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank, and The Royal Bank of Scotland. Outside of work he enjoyed exploring the great outdoors - he would ski, cycle, and build his beloved whisky collection. In 2018, Cameron assumed the role of Deputy Chair of Court, overseeing the University's financial, contractual, and academic affairs. He also served as an elected Member of the Watt Club Council since 2017, demonstrating a keen interest in driving initiatives aimed at fostering equal access to higher education.
His service to the Watt Club Council was immense and one he deeply valued. He commented at the time: “It’s exciting that the Club reaches all corners of the world. For me, the most rewarding aspect is meeting alumni: hearing their fascinating stories and learning of their pride in how the University began their career journeys, as well as the different ways they help new graduates to succeed, whether that’s through careers advice and guidance, or helping to open doors to various opportunities.”
Head of Development and Alumni, Paul Stephenson, commented: “Cameron was a huge champion of the Development and Alumni Office and worked closely with us to develop our ideas, and help as many of our students and alumni as possible. His enthusiasm for Heriot-Watt, support for fellow Court and Watt Club Council members, and passion for education will be much missed by our community.”
