We are celebrating the success of our alumni as several of them have been featured in the prestigious Forbes ’30 Under 30’ lists including Science, Technology, Finance, Media and Arts and Culture and Healthcare. In recent years, 17 University of Exeter alumni have been included on the lists, including Kevin Wu, Robert Pasco, Alex Latham, Cecilia Fein-Hughes and Miklos Laszlo, as well as many more. We recently caught up with these five to hear about life since their time at Exeter!
Kevin Wu (Law, 2015)
Included on the 2021 Asia List for The Arts, entrepreneur Kevin Wu graduated from the University with a law degree in 2015. Having founded companies in legal services, furniture retail, management consulting and fund management, he was included on the Forbes List for his work with his food technology company Ento. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Ento farms crickets for their use in food products with high protein, vitamins, and minerals as well as low fat content. Kevin enjoys the flexibility and exposure the life of an entrepreneur offers to both a broad range of industries, and to exceptionally talented and ambitious people. During his time at Exeter, Kevin was able to expand his horizons and experiences outside of his studies through the societies and clubs on campus, joining the Squash Club, the Rowing Club, and law society opportunities too. As he looks towards his next project in Malaysia, his advice to current students is: “never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and be prepared to dabble in multiple industries and roles.”
Robert Pasco (Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 2014)
Graduating with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 2014, Robert Pasco was included on the European Finance List in 2023, after launching his personal loan company Plend. Offering services to millennials with low, or no, credit scores, the business was born from his own experiences after arriving in London from New Zealand. Plend removes the use of traditional credit scores, instead utilising a mix of indicators to offer cheaper loans to customers who would otherwise be facing high interest rates. Having chosen to study at Exeter on the recommendation of his exchange university, Massey University in New Zealand, Robert enjoyed the diverse subjects offered at Exeter delivered by our excellent teaching staff, and threw himself into the vibrant social life on offer at the University.
Alex Latham (Politics, Philosophy and Economics, 2013)
After launching one of the UK’s largest crowdfunding campaigns which secured more than 7,000 investors, Alex Latham co-founded the AI-powered personal finance app Chip in 2016. This feat led to his inclusion on the Media and Marketing Forbes List for Europe in 2021. After graduating from the University 2013 with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Alex now works as the Chief Marketing Officer at Chip, and is responsible for all marketing, branding and communications. A West Country local, Alex enjoyed having his study base in Exeter for the incredible natural beauty of the region, as well as the city itself. A member of the Exeter University Rugby League Club, Alex’s time at the University provided him with the confidence to push himself; a key skill which he credits to his success to this day.
Cecilia Fein-Hughes (History of Art, 2016)
Founder of Cece Jewellery, Cecilia Fein-Hughes was included on the 2023 Arts and Culture Forbes List for Europe. Drawing inspiration from her childhood in Dartmoor, she works with champleve enamel, recycled 18K gold and ethically sourced stones to create high quality jewellery which has received praise from Vanity Fair, Vogue, The New York Times and more. Initially undertaking internships at world renowned auction houses Sotheby’s and Christies, Cecilia soon realised her creative passions and took a ring making course in Hatton Garden, before undertaking a degree in the History of Art at Exeter, graduating in 2016. Her chosen career now provides the perfect fusion of the history of art and creativity in the production of her jewellery. She accepts that running a business can be tough but ultimately is immensely rewarding. The programme at Exeter was a big inspiration for Cecilia, whose highlights from her studies include: studying a Rothko painting, the Italian Medici family of the 1500’s, and a visit to Florence. The social aspect of Exeter was also important to Cecilia who joined the Cheer and Netball Societies, as well as making the most of the opportunities the Devon countryside affords. Cecilia recommends that anyone interested in pursuing a similar career should seek to secure an intern position at a fast paced, growing jewellery brand.
Miklós László (Business Economics with European Study, 2021)
After graduating from the University with a degree in Business Economics with European Study, Miklós László was included in the Forbes Hungary 30 Under 30 list in 2023 for his startup Diverzum. A Gen Z platform helping brands capture and keep young customers using innovative discounting strategies, more than 80 brands and almost 200,000 users joined Diverzum within two years. Miklós realised during his internships that he wasn’t suited to being an employee and had ambitions of starting his own business from scratch; which he achieved in 2021, after graduating from the University that same year. He was an active member of the Exeter Entrepreneurs Society, the Amateur Boxing Society, and the Hungarian Society, and also received support from the Student Startups team. Miklós enjoyed the flexibility that Exeter offered with the selection of modules, and the scholarship he received with the institution’s support, which enabled him to travel to Columbia and attend a prestigious summer school programme.
We’d like to extend our congratulations to Kevin, Robert, Alex, Cecila and Miklós, and we look forward to hearing about their future successes. For more information about the Forbes 30 under 30 lists or to read the lists in full, please visit their website. To discover more alumni news please continue to check our website, follow our social pages (details below), and ensure your contact details are up to date so you don’t miss any of our newsletters.
