08/10/2026
π Where ideas met industry β our first-ever VCAD Exchange!
Today we hosted the inaugural VCAD Exchange: Where Ideas Meet Industry β a student research showcase and networking afternoon across our London (Canary Wharf) and Manchester campuses, delivered in partnership with Ravensbourne University.
Our Level 5 Digital Marketing and Business Management students lined the walls with their industry research posters β and what a line-up it was. π
Over the term they investigated the real industries they're about to enter, asking sharp, current questions:
π Is "greener shopping" genuine β or where does marketing end and greenwashing begin?
π How are brands using AI personalisation, and what are the limits?
π What can companies actually claim in their advertising β and who holds them to it?
Their work spanned retail, fashion, advertising, tech, security and sustainability, tackling the big forces shaping work today: AI, climate, and tighter rules on advertising and data.
Industry guests, alumni, colleagues and community partners came along to explore the exhibition, talk with our students, and leave feedback right on the posters β a genuine, confidence-building moment for everyone who took part. Many of our students are career-changers and adult learners, and watching them present their research to industry with such pride and professionalism was the highlight of our term.
To our students: thank you for your dedication, curiosity and sheer hard work. You did yourselves proud. π
Huge thanks to everyone who made it happen:
π Dave Wibberley MA PGDip FHEA (Director) and Gill Merrill (Deputy Dean) for championing the event and supporting the arrangements and promotion.
π Programme Leaders Zsofia Borbely and Dr Karina Robertson (FHEA) for backing the students every step of the way.
β¨ And the brilliant teaching team who guided this work to the finish line: Thilini Weerasekara (MSc, MBA, AFHEA, BBA), Oguldjan Topal, Bing Shi, Emma Speakman, Jun Pyun and module leader Darja Bardo. Special thanks to Darja Bardo for also organising the event and liasing with the teams to make sure everything runs smoothly. ππ»
π£ And we're already looking ahead β our next cohort will exhibit at VCAD Exchange around February. Whether you're an employer, a creative or business professional, an alumnus, or simply curious, save the date and come and meet the next group of emerging talent. If you'd like to take part as an industry guest, we'd love to hear from you.
Here's to ideas meeting industry β and to doing it all again in the new year. π
