WORLD ALUMNI
The Global Advantage
What makes Heriot-Watt different? Global campuses, international classrooms, 182,000 alumni in over 190 countries, and a community that remains connected across borders long after graduation.
With campuses in the UK, Middle East and South-East Asia and a diverse community of learners, scholars, professionals, and partners, Heriot-Watt University’s global reach is one of its greatest strengths. Our global ethos allows our students to immerse themselves in a multicultural environment that enhances their employability and supports careers that reach around the world.
The impact of that experience can be seen everywhere. From humanitarian development projects in Africa and renewable energy initiatives in Europe, to fashion businesses in Dubai and hospitality brands spanning more than 80 destinations worldwide, Heriot-Watt alumni are making an impact across the globe.
We spoke to alumni working across industries and continents to discover how their Heriot-Watt experience helped develop the skills, confidence and connections that continue to influence their careers today.
Developing a global minset
Heriot-Watt's global advantage begins long before graduation. For many alumni, studying alongside people from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds helped shape a mindset that would become central to their careers.
Alum, Nancy Abalo
Nancy has built a career leading strategic procurement and logistics initiatives for organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), One Acre Fund, and ForAfrika. Currently based in Uganda, she provides leadership and oversight across eight African countries as Senior Procurement Officer at ForAfrika. Her time at Heriot-Watt helped to “develop a global awareness that has remained central throughout my career”, cultivating “an appreciation for cultural diversity, adaptability, and inclusive leadership and reinforcing the importance of collaboration across borders, all of which are essential for my work with multicultural teams and stakeholders,” she explains.
Nancy studied an MBA that “taught me to approach challenges entrepreneurially” – an attribute she ably demonstrated when her position at WHO ended. “Rather than viewing it as a setback, I drew upon the knowledge, confidence, and business mindset I had gained to create a new opportunity,” she explains. Leveraging the strategic, financial, and leadership skills the MBA had developed, Nancy established a kindergarten school in her hometown to address the need for quality early childhood education. She currently manages the school while simultaneously delivering her responsibilities at ForAfrika. “The global mindset I developed at Heriot-Watt continues to help me navigate complex international environments and build effective partnerships,” she comments.
Alum, Seethu Pooniah
Seethu works in the energy sector. “My experience at Heriot-Watt University was an important part of developing my global outlook. Coming to Edinburgh as a Malaysian student exposed me to people from different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds,” he explains. That global perspective was “particularly valuable” to his career with ABB Malaysia (a global technology leader in electrification and automation) where he had “the opportunity to work on several internationally recognised engineering projects including Shell Pearl GTL in Qatar, Shell Prelude FLNG – the largest floating vessel in the world to date – BP Tangguh and Petronas FLNG,” he comments. Seethu now works as a freelance Electrical Engineer: “I believe Heriot-Watt did more than prepare me for an international career, it helped develop an international mindset, and that continues to influence the way I work today.”
Alum, Varsha Ravichandran
Varsha credits her time at Heriot-Watt as helping to transform her passion for sustainable design into an international career. Originally from Thanjavur, India, she moved to Edinburgh to study Construction Project Management, gaining expertise in project, commercial and risk management while building a global network. Now she has built a career in the UK. “As a Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend in London, I apply my knowledge to projects focused on reducing environmental impact across the built environment,” Varsha explains. Her experience at Heriot-Watt helped her discover and develop her professional interests, “while giving me the confidence to embrace new opportunities far from home,” she adds. Beyond her professional career, she has been recognised for her contribution to the South Asian community, reflecting her determination to inspire others and demonstrate how small, everyday actions can contribute to meaningful global change. “I am a passionate advocate for sustainability and women’s empowerment. I also volunteer with organisations supporting STEM education for underserved young people,” she comments.
Building global careers and leadership
An international outlook often develops into careers with truly global reach. Across industries, Heriot-Watt graduates are leading teams, organisations and initiatives that operate across continents, proving that the University’s international ethos translates into real-world impact.
MBA graduate Paul Er
With more than three decades of experience in powering revenue growth, enterprise sales management, negotiation and marketing across various industries, Paul is widely regarded as the go-to source on transformative leadership and sales excellence. He has built and led sales teams for global organisations including Hilton, Marriott International, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts, and American Express.
Currently, Paul is Vice President Global Sales at Millennium Hotels and Resorts, overseeing sales across 140 hotels in more than 80 destinations. “Growth begins by bringing the right people together and turning conversations into opportunities,” he comments, which led him to create IGNITE, a global customer engagement platform designed to spark meaningful relationships and build connections. “Business may be won through transactions, but it grows through partnerships—especially in our volatile global environment, where geopolitics keeps moving the goalposts,” he adds.
Alum, Axel Klafstad
Axel is from Norway and studied a MA Hons in Business and Finance on our Edinburgh campus. Since graduating, he has worked in many different countries, building a global career in the energy sector and driving company and organisational development across Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, he has led the establishment of KG Energy, a new Norwegian company focused on investment in battery storage facilities.
"Studying alongside people from all over the world at Heriot-Watt gave me an early appetite for working across borders. It taught me to be curious about different perspectives rather than cautious of them — and that's stayed with me at every step of my career since," Axel reflects.
"Experiencing different business cultures has really stretched my skills and developed my capabilities," he adds. Now based back in his home country, he is Managing Director of KG Energy, working to scale the newly established company: "I'm passionate about the energy transition and renewable energy – from leading organisations to how we can individually make an effort to decarbonise," he explains.
His mantra of "fortune favours the bold" has seen him take chances that have led to roles "with global dimensions", and he believes in "making the best out of your current moment" by connecting with people and valuing your network. "That approach has led me to find ways to help others to enjoy a similar adventure to my own," he adds.
Alum, Hemang Mistry
Hemang studied an MBA, which has helped to shape a truly international career. Originally from India, and having built his early career in Dubai, Hemang is now based in London as Virtual Lead, Global Strategic Accounts Marketing at Autodesk, a software company that seeks to boost business efficiency. “I’ve developed wide experience in multicultural markets across the Middle East and Europe,” he explains. “Working with global strategic accounts, my focus is on turning data, technology and business insight into messages that connect with people. I also look at how AI, data, and intent-driven strategies are reshaping modern B2B growth.” Hemang believes that in an increasingly AI-driven world, human connection matters more than ever: “I think effective communication is all about building trust, creating relevance and inspiring action.”
Global expertise from distinctive Heriot-Watt disciplines
In some disciplines, Heriot-Watt's global advantage is rooted in world-leading expertise. From brewing and distilling to fashion and textiles, specialist programmes attract talented students from around the world and prepare graduates to take Scottish excellence onto a global stage.
Our world-renowned Brewing and Distilling programmes attract students from around the world, opening the door to careers that span continents, cultures and some of the industry’s most exciting businesses. California-born alum Bella Perez studied in Edinburgh and after graduating, quickly rose to become Head Brewer at 71 Brewing, a Dundee-based independent brewery known for innovation and global reach. “After nearly a decade working across the US, I wanted to further my progression in the brewing industry,” she explains. Bella describes her time at Heriot-Watt as transformative: “It made all the difference. The Master’s gave me the scientific foundation, the research skills and the professional credibility I needed. Combined with my experience, it opened doors that simply weren’t available to me before.”
Alum, Bruce Zhao is R&D senior manager at Laizhou Distillery. “I took my specialist Scottish training back to China to lead two key teams in Cask Management and Premium Spirits Development,” he explains. Laizhou Distillery is an award-winning whisky producer playing a leading role in China’s fast-growing whisky industry. Alum, Wilson Hede, is a Brewing industry professional with experience ranging from small to multinational organisations across the Asia-Pacific region. “I previously worked[GA1] for Two Birds Brewing in Australia before becoming Head Brewer at Jing-A Brewing Company in Beijing,” he explains. Currently, Wilson is Development Centre Director at Carlsberg China.
It opened doors that simply weren’t available to me before.”
Alum, Bella Perez
Alum, Rhea Jacobs
Dubai-based entrepreneur Rhea credits her Heriot-Watt education with shaping the mindset behind her global career. “It was such a powerful foundation, surrounded by people from different cultures, industries, and ways of thinking,” she explains. Graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fashion in 2016, Rhea values the way her learning experience broadened “how I see the world and approach my work”. Rhea’s career has seen her collaborate with major global brands including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Tiffany & Co., Mugler and Swarovski, and earn recognition as one of the Middle East’s leading creative talents. She cites her time at Heriot-Watt as shaping her path of entrepreneurship in the UAE, which most recently saw her found her own wellness brand, Rhé, in 2024. “I am proud to be part of a shared legacy that comes from an education that transcends borders. It’s been almost a decade since I graduated but I still feel like I’m part of this big community where we grow together and we learn together. I think this is so important as life goes on,” she adds.
Alum, Fiona Ford
Fiona is a sustainability and circular economy specialist for the fashion and textile industries. She studied in Scotland but is now based in New York. “I completed an MSc in Fashion Ethics at Heriot-Watt after a decade in industry across design, product development and sourcing,” she explains. “That experience helped shape my career journey into global sustainability,” she adds. He consultancy, Imagine Solutions, delivers practical strategies for fashion and textiles businesses, “so they can contribute to scalable circular economy systems that bring meaningful reductions in environmental impacts” she explains.
Alum, Kaci McEwan
Recent Fashion and Textile Design graduate, Kaci, has also enjoyed success in the US, having recently won an international competition to design a tartan to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. Working on a live brief of genuine cultural significance was a rare opportunity that Kaci relished: “It really reflects the kind of experience I’ve had at Heriot-Watt, where I’ve been encouraged to think creatively, push my ideas further and take on opportunities I might not have otherwise considered,” she explains.
Giving back through a global community
The global advantage does not end when students graduate. Across the world, alumni are creating opportunities for one another, strengthening local communities and helping future generations benefit from the same international experience. Many of our featured graduates are active alumni who espouse the importance of connections and being part of a global community
Axel has played a key role in growing the Watt Club branch in Norway for 15 years as a board member and later Chair, and he continues to champion the University and its wider alumni community as Vice President of The Watt Club. Recently, he led the incorporation of the Heriot-Watt Norway Foundation, a charitable foundation aiming to further the objectives of the University in[MS1] Norway.
Seethu is passionate about helping the next generation access higher education and thrive in the engineering sector, raising awareness and support opportunities for future engineering students through various initiatives including a recent Pedals, Paths & Purpose challenge that saw him cycle and walk nearly 600 miles across Scotland.
Paul is one of the founders and the first President of Watt Club Singapore, helping to bring Heriot-Watt alumni together and strengthen the community across the region. As he says in his own words – “Your network is your net worth.”
Fiona has shared her expertise as a guest lecturer at Heriot-Watt’s School of Textiles[JJ1] and is the current Chair of the Watt Club New York Branch, whose alumni network has helped her reconnect and collaborate with fellow graduates from around the world.
It opened doors that simply weren’t available to me before.”
Alum, Axel Klafstad
The advantage lasts a lifetime
The alumni featured here work in different sectors and countries, but their experiences share one common theme – Heriot-Watt provided the foundation for a global career. Across every story, what remains constant is the power of belonging to a university with global ambitions and connections.
“Our alumni demonstrate the global advantage of a Heriot-Watt education every day,” comments Adam Gillies, Alumni Engagement Manager. “Whether they are leading multinational organisations, creating social impact in their local communities, or helping fellow graduates build connections across the world, our alumni embody the international outlook that defines our University. Their stories show that wherever life takes our graduates, they remain part of a truly global Heriot-Watt community.”
Our alumni demonstrate the global advantage of a Heriot-Watt education every day.”
Adam Gillies
Be part of the global advantage
Whether you want to reconnect with classmates, expand your professional network, mentor students, share your expertise or support future generations of Heriot-Watt graduates, there are many ways to get involved.
Update your details, join a local alumni group, volunteer your time, attend an event or share your story.
Wherever you are in the world, you are part of The Watt Club community that continues to inspire, support and create opportunities for one another.
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