Siobhán Hewlett (DH 2000) – Director, Writer, Actor, Producer

Siobhán won for her achievements as an award-winning actor on stage and screen, and as a screenwriter. As well as acting, writing and producing, she's raised millions for The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital where she is celebrity ambassador and is also a passionate activist to stop the release of raw sewage into our seas, oceans and rivers.

Siobhán’s nominee said: “Siobhán deserves to win an alumnae award because she has the spirit of the Downe House girl in her life - using her fierce intelligence for the greater good as an award-winning actress on stage & screen and recently screenwriter."

Dr Lucy King (DH 1995) – Zoologist

Lucy won for her trailblazing work promoting nature-based solutions to human-elephant conflict in Africa and around the world. She currently manages the multi-donor Elephant Crisis Fund for the organisation Save the Elephants, supporting global elephant conservation efforts, and continues her own research through the centre she established at Sagalla, near Tsavo National Park in Kenya.

Lucy’s nominee said: “Dr Lucy King has blazed a trail in developing and promoting nature-based solutions to human-wildlife conflict in Africa & around the world, for which I think she thoroughly deserves recognition through these awards."

Jennifer Murray (Mather) (DH 1957) – Helicopter pilot

Jennifer won for her many world-firsts in helicopter aviation, including three ground-breaking circumnavigations of the globe. She was the first woman to fly East-West around the world with her co-pilot in 1997 and the first woman to fly solo around the world in 2000. She is also the first grandmother, first to fly without autopilot and in the smallest helicopter. And after a near fatal crash in Antarctica, undaunted she and her co-pilot were the first to fly around the world via the North and South poles on their second attempt in 2006.

Jennifer’s nominee said: “Helicopter pilot Jennifer Murray became the first woman to successfully fly round the world in a helicopter on 8 August 1997."

Jessie Robinson (DH 2014) – Senior Burns Physiotherapist

Jessie won in recognition of her selfless work in the NHS. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, she became a physiotherapist at Charing Cross Hospital. During the Covid-19 pandemic she worked tirelessly as one of the proning team’s lead physiotherapists helping the most severely ill patients on the ICU, as well as working with patients who needed significant ongoing care and rehabilitation. It’s just the sort of contribution we love to celebrate.

Jessie’s nominee said: "She is kind and selfless, and puts everyone before herself. Her ambition is to work as a physiotherapist in major trauma in disaster zones all across the world & I have no doubt that she will do just that."

Sophie Shipton (DH 2014) – Lead Caseworker at Redemption Roasters

Sophie won in recognition of her work at Feltham YOI prison where she worked as a prison officer whilst completing their graduate programme, alongside an MSc in Applied Custodial Leadership. In her demanding role, she excelled in being highly empathetic, and was awarded a leadership prize elected across the governors when graduating from the programme.

Sophie's nominee said: "The type of role Sophie is undertaking demonstrates inspirational bravery and empathy which Downe House should be championing!"