Global finalists - Professional Achievement Award 2021

Arturo is a Senior Energy Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank. He has helped generate over $3 billion in investment in sustainable energy projects in different countries of Latin America, including rural electrification projects that benefited thousands of families, a hydropower plant in Bolivia, and over 1000 MW of wind energy projects in Brazil. He credits his UK education with introducing him to innovative energy solutions, which positioned him at the forefront of his field.

Helena is the Founder of the Brunei Ophthalmology Society and has screened more than 200 at-risk patients since relocating to Brunei. Helena led the design and creation of sustainable, face masks to support frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The design has been shared around the world, and was recognised with a Commonwealth Points of Light award by the UK government in 2020. Helena attributes her UK education and the values instilled in her while working for the NHS. 

Christel is the first Director of the Ethics Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Her work is building transparency and accountability in the workplace, helping to foster a professional organisational culture for ADB. Christel has applied the business and leadership skills she developed at Durham University to confront health crises such as Ebola and Zika, build partnerships with governments, and improve organisational effectiveness.

Since completing his MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion, Daniel has focused his work on areas of conflict and humanitarian emergencies. He acted as a Health Project Manager during the 2014–16 Ebola outbreak, and later partnered with a local NGO to provide customised 3D limbs to neglected casualties of the Yemen War. Now Co-President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which in 2017 won the Nobel Peace Prize for its campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Yama is the former Minister of Transport and Minister of Public Works in Afghanistan. He set up the country’s first national procurement authority, introducing a series of anti-corruption reforms that saved close to $300 million in public funds. His work improved transparency and accountability in the Afghan government, and significantly reduced mismanagement of government spending. In 2016 Yama was awarded a State Medal of Honour by the President. He is now Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Germany.

Sanusi is the youngest Executive Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Fund, a position he was appointed to by the President. His work has helped to increase private sector participation and involvement in renewable energy, and secured more than four billion naira in government funding. In 2020 Sanusi was named Young Leader of the Year at the African Power. He attributes much of his success to the quality of research and high academic standards he experienced in the UK. 

Afgan is former Member of Board of Financial Supervisory Authority of Azerbaijan and was appointed by the President of the Republic, also was a Chairman of Appeal Committee. He led a team to draft laws, regulations, ensuring financial stability, development and harmonization with EU regulation. In 2019 was appointed by the Prime Minister a member of working group on preparation Azerbaijan for WTO membership. He is a member of Azerbaijan Bars Association. Afgan is a Chevening scholar.