Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Advertising course – now known as BA (Hons) Creative Advertising has produced many great alumni, including graduate, Simon Lloyd. Simon recently sat down with us to discuss his journey from BNU to career ready.

Simon, the Global Creative Director at adam&eveDDB is responsible for some of our most loved campaigns, including the John Lewis Christmas Adverts. Simon shares that he was initially drawn to the course and location of BNU. “It was quite simply the best advertising course on offer. And I loved the close proximity to London which meant getting in to meet people in the industry was easy. (As too was the nightlife on offer…)”

During his time at BNU, Simon’s course, like many others, used their industry links to put on workshops and networking events to help students. Simon mentions “I remember going to do a workshop with Trevor Beattie. An advertising genius in my eyes. He chose our campaign as the winner on the day (you work in pairs on the course), and I remember it giving me such a boost in confidence.”

Simon comments that even now he is continuously come across BNU alumni, new and old. He says “It’s like the illuminati. We are everywhere. Going to BNU felt like you were part of one big family. Studying, living with and eating with the same people every day creates a huge bond. Still to this day someone will introduce themselves as being ‘from BNU’. It gives you a great sense of family and community.”

Like many of our alumni Simon has great things to say to anyone interesting in coming to BNU. “Whether you are studying to be a doctor, a pilot of a dancer. It’s just the beginning of the journey. Use your time here to make mistakes. Then learn from them. It’s the best possible preparation for the real world. And in my opinion, there is no better place to do it than BNU.”