London City Connections

London City Connections provides you with the opportunity to meet successful Sheffield alumni working in London-based organisations and develop your own network of professional contacts. It's your chance to visit the Capital and gain an insight into the exciting opportunities open to you.

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What is London City Connections?

London City Connections is designed to support students from under-represented backgrounds to develop their networking and communication skills, commercial awareness and enhance their career prospects. This year's London City Connections is planned to take place in the Capital on Wednesday 15 March 2023.

The project provides students with the opportunity to build connections with alumni of the University of Sheffield who've reached senior positions in major organisations, and who generously give their time to support the project. Students taking part gain an insight into a wide range of career sectors and hear first-hand from alumni how they've got to where they are today.

LCC was the most valuable event that I have attended at the university so far. I now feel that I have acquired the skills and confidence to network professionally and how to gain the most out of these opportunities. 

London City Connections 2022 participant

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What does London City Connections involve?

Sheffield alumni and students engaging at Northern City Connection

London City Connections pre-event workshop

Wednesday 8 March, 13:00-15:00
On campus, Cornerstone Room - Social Sciences Wave Building, Whitham Road.

Receive advice and information to prepare you and help you make the most of the business workshops and networking event and meet the other students and staff taking part.

We’ll cover commercial awareness, networking, logistics and tell you about the alumni and businesses we’ll be hearing from. We’ll also support you in setting up or improving your own LinkedIn profile.

London City Connections business visits and networking event

Wednesday 15 March, 08:00-22:00
London

We’ll travel down to the capital by rail, where we’ll attend a workshop in the morning followed by an extended lunchtime break to explore the City. In the afternoon, we’ll attend a second workshop, followed by an evening networking event before heading back to Sheffield on a late evening train.

London City Connections post-event workshop

Wednesday 22 March 13:00-15:00
On campus, Cornerstone Room - Social Sciences Wave Building, Whitham Road.

Reunion time. We’ll get back together to share experiences of the day and explore how you can use these in your development. You’ll also receive advice for following up contacts and signposts to other University opportunities.

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 I absolutely loved the day. The programme is something that I've talked about to friends and family and one of my greatest (if not the greatest) moments in my university life so far.

London City Connections 2022 Participant

How do I apply for London City Connections?

The event is open to all Social Sciences students at Level 2 and 3 from widening participation backgrounds. You must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible to take part:

  • be from an area of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status
  • be from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background
  • be a mature student
  • identify as a disabled student
  • be a care leaver
  • be a carers
  • be a student who is estranged from their family
  • be from a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community
  • be a refugee
  • be from a military family

If you meet any of the criteria listed above, simply fill in the application form.

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If you have any questions about these criteria, please email Tracy Horton at t.horton@sheffield.ac.uk

Spaces are limited and it is crucial that you are fully committed and able to attend all three events. Please check any other commitments before making your application.

Meet the alumni hosts

During the day, we’ll attend workshops with two different businesses based in London. We are pleased to introduce our alumni who will be hosting the sessions.

Students and alumni chat at a networking event

Morning session

  • Hugh Broughton, User Experience Researcher - Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)

Afternoon session

  • Lesley Bigby, Early Careers Consultant - Aviva
  • Charlotte Jones (evening), Group CEO - Aviva

Networking Event

The day will culminate with a networking event at the Aviva offices and will be attended by a number of Sheffield Social Sciences alumni now based in London and hosted by alumni Charlotte Jones, Group CEO.

The alumni guests will come from a range of backgrounds and organisations including:

  • JP Morgan Chase
  • NatWest
  • BBC
  • UK Health Security Agency
  • Global Counsel (public affairs)
  • Chanel
  • White and Case LLP
  • Oxford Economics
  • Aspen Insurance
  • Freelance author and journalist
  • London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • Deltapoll

Some final points

  • You must be available to attend all three dates
  • You are required to attend the pre and post-event workshops, the business workshops and networking event
  • You are responsible for making your tutor and/or lecturers aware if you are to miss any classes
Alumni and students chat at a networking event

See the Workshops from 2021

In 2021, London City Connections was held online. You can view the business workshops below for a taste of what to expect.

Neil Radley

Neil studied Accounting and Financial Management at Sheffield, and is CEO and Chairman of Jaja Finance.

Ian Bagshaw

Ian studied Law at Sheffield, and is Global Co-Head of Private Equity, White and Case LLP.

Michelle Marks

Michelle studied English Literature at Sheffield, and is Head of Creative Strategy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Instagram and Facebook.