UK School Engagement Officer at The University of Buckingham Awarded Commendation of Contribution

Annette Priest, UK School Engagement Officer at The University of Buckingham, has achieved has been awarded a Commendation of Contribution at the HELOA National Conference Awards 2026.

HELOA is the professional association of Higher Education staff.

Annette was nominated by Dan Valbonesi, UK Student Recruitment Manager, for her exceptional and lasting contribution to student recruitment and outreach, inspiring young people to believe in themselves and see higher education as an achievable and exciting possibility. Annette’s role at the university involves networking with local schools, helping students explore their university options, including the unique two-year degrees which The University of Buckingham offers.

Dan explains:

“Annette’s impact is both wide-reaching and deeply personal. I have seen her build a network of school teachers and careers leads entirely from scratch, which is now a powerful channel for promoting wider university initiatives. She represents the University at careers events across the UK, delivers engaging and tailored presentations, and maintains strong, lasting relationships with local careers leads across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire.

She works tirelessly with colleagues across faculties and central teams to ensure our outreach is joined-up, consistent, and strategic. This approach has enabled Annette to support academic colleagues at Buckingham to improve their engagement in schools, delivering curriculum-linked workshops that truly enrich the student experience.”

The HELOA National Conference Awards celebrate and recognise excellence, creativity and impact within the field of student recruitment, outreach and access. Winners were announced at the HELOA National Conference Awards and Gala dinner on Thursday 15 January.

Commendations of contribution recognise HELOA members who have gone above and beyond in supporting the sector and recognise exceptional impact, whether over the past year or across a longer period, in advancing best practice in student recruitment, outreach, widening access, or marketing.

Find out more about Annette’s work as our UK Schools Engagement Officer.

About The University of Buckingham

The University of Buckingham was founded in 1973 as an antidote to the undermining of independence and academic freedom in universities. In 1983, The University of Buckingham became the first University to introduce two-year degrees, saving students valuable time and money, and offering the widest range of courses in a two-year format.

Students receive an individualised and supportive learning experience, focused on small tutorials and seminars, and options for students to study a degree their way, with both September and January starts available. Find out more about Buckingham.

Open Days are held throughout the year, with opportunities to explore Buckingham’s riverside campus, view accommodation, hear from the Students’ Union, and ask students and staff questions about living and studying at the university.

For further information, please contact pressoffice@buckingham.ac.uk