Placement success for students at annual awards night

Talented Hope students earned valuable work placement opportunities with some of Liverpool City Region’s leading employers at the annual Insight to Business Awards.

Now in its ninth year, the event sees the Business School partner with some of the region’s most influential organisations to provide placements to those successful candidates, with the winners announced at a ceremony at the University’s Hope Park campus.

Nominated students had the opportunity to apply for one of the roles offered by the Business School’s partners, taking part in a recruitment process which includes CV and interview workshops to help enhance their employability.

In attendance were Hope alumni, now representing organisations as they prepare to welcome placement students.

Included in the attendees was Emilia Igglesden, Audit Executive at Cowgills and former student who studied Accounting and Finance & Economics. Emilia said: “This has been my second year attending the Hope Insight to Business Awards and I was impressed again by the standard of students we interviewed and those who also came to ask questions and speak to us at Cowgills.

“Even though it may be daunting for students it is so important to push yourself out there and speak to employers; the Hope Business Awards is the perfect opportunity to do this. I ended up in my current role through speaking with those around me and not from looking online – I urge students to do the same as looking online can become very overwhelming!”

Also impressed with the high calibre of applicants was Katie Clare, of Advantage Investment. Katie, who studied at Liverpool Hope Business School, went through the nomination process herself during her time at university and knows all too well the benefits of such initiatives.

Katie commented: “It’s a real privilege for Advantage Investment to continue being involved in the Insight to Business Awards. For me, it’s a full-circle moment. I was nominated twice as a student, and now I have the pleasure of attending with an employer offering a placement. Students at Hope are fortunate to have a Business School that puts so much effort into creating real opportunities like this. In today’s competitive graduate job market, experience is invaluable and often what sets candidates apart. I’d encourage students to embrace the opportunities available through the Business School, including awards like this, and make the most of the support and advice on offer. That mindset is what helped me secure my role at Advantage Investment while I was still a student at Hope.”

Working alongside Katie at Advantage Investment is former Business Management and Marketing student turned Head of Marketing Lucy Slater. Lucy also undertook a placement during her studies and commended the talent of the students putting themselves forward for the opportunity this year. Lucy said:

“It was a privilege to be part of the Insight to Business Awards for the second year as an alumna. I first attended as a student, and the placement experience I gained through the awards helped me secure early career opportunities. As a student, simply showing you're willing to go the extra mile—by earning a place at the awards and completing a placement—can make a real difference in interviews.

“It was inspiring to see so much talent and ambition coming through again this year. We’re really excited to be hosting two student placements this summer, giving them the chance to gain similar hands-on experience. It was a fantastic evening—I always love coming back to Hope, seeing familiar faces, and I’m already looking forward to next year.”

The winning students will undertake their placements this summer.

View the full gallery of images here.

2025 winners