Two graduates – University of Chester’s Abigail Gray and
Kate Skidmore of Leeds Beckett University – will begin internships with BCD
Meetings & Events (BCD M&E) after winning The Vanessa Cotton Scholarship.
Gray and Skidmore will start 18-month salaried graduate
event co-ordinator roles with the Meetings Management Life Sciences division at
BCD M&E in September following a drinks reception honouring their
award.
The Vanessa Cotton Scholarship was established in 2011
by the MPI UK & Ireland chapter, to commemorate UK meetings
and events industry leader Cotton, who died in 2010 following a battle with
cancer.
Each year, the scholarship is open to final‑year students
completing an event management or meetings and events‑related degree
or diploma in the UK or Ireland, providing a pathway for emerging talent into
the B2B meetings and events industry.
Scholarship applicants are rigorously selected for the
scheme with organisers seeing a record number of applications from 12
universities this year.
“Being selected for the Vanessa Cotton Scholarship is both
an honour and a motivating moment in my journey,” said Gray.
“I’m stepping into this internship eager to learn from leaders within the
meetings and events industry, contribute meaningfully to real projects,
and grow in ways that will shape my career.”
“Receiving thisscholarship is a
milestone I’m truly proud of. It affirms the
dedication I’ve invested in my academic and professional
development,” said Skidmore. “During this internship at BCD M&E, I’m
looking forward to engaging with complex challenges, collaborating with
talented professionals, and gaining valuable insights from the industry.”
Nathalie Paxton, senior director and sales president at BCD
M&E, said: “Our two chosen recipients demonstrated remarkable
potential and a clear alignment with the values of the
scholarship. We’re excited to welcome them into BCD M&E and
support the next stage of their careers.”
