The University of Winchester has presented a Winton Society Award to Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) Executive Director Paul Spencer who studied at the university and has worked with the higher education institution on partnership projects for more than 15 years.
The Winton Society is the university’s alumni association which is a community of over 35,000 people from 90 countries who have studied or worked at the University of Winchester, or previously King Alfred’s College. Paul has a Master’s Degree and PhD from the university and has worked with the institution on a broad range of partnership projects. These include being a guest speaker, coordinator of a research network involving the four Hampshire universities, King’s College London, policymakers and businesses supporting the development of the creative industries sector in the county, published academic research on events and tourism, and more recently projects which bring together staff, academics and students from the university and the city centre business community in his role with Winchester BID.
The Winton Society Awards 2023 were celebrated at a special event hosted at the university’s West Downs Centre on Thursday 22 June. Paul was presented with the Community Partner Winton Values Award by Vice Chancellor Professor Sarah Greer and Head of External Engagement and Partnerships Natasha Montagu.
Natasha Montagu said “These awards are presented to individuals who have demonstrated the Winton Values of empowering growth in themselves and others, engendering change to make the world a better place, and enriching the lives of others through their relationships and work within their local communities”.
Paul Spencer said “I have had a relationship with the university for many years, first as a postgraduate student, then as an alumnus and an external partner working with staff and students on a wide range of different projects. I have always felt incredibly well supported by the university and it is a pleasure to continue to have a strong connection to this higher education institution through my job and my work today. Thank you to everyone at the University of Winchester and the Winton Society who make it such a special place and a supportive community which values the love of learning, individual and shared endeavour, and making a difference. The Winton Society Awards is a wonderful celebration of Winchester alumni and I am honoured to have received an award and congratulate all of the nominees and award winners.”
To find out more about the University of Winchester Winton Society, please visit: winchester.ac.uk/about-us/alumni
Photograph: From left to right, Natasha Montagu, Dr Paul Spencer and Professor Sarah Greer.
