Students boosted by scholarships launched in memory of Birmingham property figure
Two students have been awarded scholarships from a programme launched in memory of renowned West Midlands business figure David Bucknall OBE.
Kai Everton from St Peter’s Roman Catholic School and Specialist Science College, Solihull, and Moath Sowidi from Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College in Birmingham, have started their studies at Birmingham City University (BCU) after being awarded this year’s coveted David Bucknall Scholarship.
Funded by private donations from Bucknall’s friends and colleagues, the scholarship is run by the independent construction, property and management consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) in partnership with BCU and is aimed at helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds develop a career in construction and property.
The 2018 scholarship winners each receive financial contribution over their three years’ study plus guaranteed work placements and mentoring from the RLB team in Birmingham.
Everton is studying for a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate and Sowidi a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering.
Adam Ellis-Morgan, managing partner of RLB in Birmingham, said: “The David Bucknall Scholarship is an acknowledgement to one of the most influential people from the Midlands and wider UK construction market. David Bucknall was passionate about raising the profile of the industry to encourage and mentor new talent.
This fantastic legacy provides the perfect opportunity for local students who are interested in the built environment to receive a combination of financial support, mentoring and work experience to assist them at the start of their construction journey at BCU.”
Simon Handley, associate dean, academic portfolio & market development at BCU, added: “This scholarship is a really exciting opportunity for budding Built Environment professionals who are applying to BCU. The RLB work experience has proved to be a massive boost to the development of our students’ career aspirations.”
Bucknall died in 2015 while cycling, as the 76-year-old was training for an Ironman competition.
He was a leading figure in the region’s property sector for decades.
