As universities and employers place increasing emphasis on graduate employability and professional experience, Ulster University Business School has celebrated the achievements of its placement students and employer partners at its annual Celebrating Success 2026 – UUBS Placement Awards, showcasing the value of professional placements in developing future talent pipelines for business and industry.
Held at the Academy Restaurant at Ulster University Belfast campus, the event brought together students, employers and academic leaders to recognise the impact of professional placement experiences across sectors including finance, technology, hospitality, marketing, HR, logistics and professional services.
This year, 314 undergraduate students from UUBS undertook work placements during the 2025–26 academic year, with placements spanning Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, Malta, the USA, UAE and Thailand. More than 85 per cent of placements were based in Northern Ireland, reinforcing the School’s strong contribution to regional skills development and employer engagement.
A key focus of the event was raising the profile of professional placement opportunities and encouraging more employers to engage with Ulster University students early in their careers, helping organisations build long-term talent pipelines while giving students invaluable industry experience.
Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of Ulster University Business School, said:
“Professional placement is one of the most powerful ways we can connect education with industry. These partnerships provide our students with invaluable experience while giving employers early access to talented, ambitious individuals who bring fresh thinking, innovation and energy into organisations.
“We are deeply grateful to our placement partners for their continued commitment and collaboration. Together, we are helping to develop the next generation of business leaders and supporting the future competitiveness of our economy.”
The awards ceremony also featured keynote speaker Jackie Henry MBE, Managing Partner for People and Purpose at Deloitte and Visiting Professor at the Ulster University Business School.
Jackie Henry said:
“Placements create enormous value for both students and employers. Students gain confidence, commercial awareness and professional skills, while businesses benefit from new perspectives and the opportunity to identify and nurture future leaders early. It is inspiring to see the breadth of opportunities these students have embraced and the professionalism they have demonstrated.”
Students were recognised through the ‘A Day in the Life of My Placement’ video competition, which invited participants to create short films reflecting on their placement experiences, workplace challenges and personal development.
The overall winner was Lucy McKnight, a BSc Hons Marketing student on placement with Monkstown Boxing Club. Judges praised Lucy’s professionalism, creativity and ability to apply academic learning in practical ways while making a significant contribution to the organisation.
Lucy McKnight said:
“My placement year has been an incredible opportunity to develop professionally and personally. Creating the video allowed me to reflect on how much I’ve learned and how valuable real workplace experience is. I would encourage every student to embrace placement opportunities because they genuinely help shape your future career.”
Amy Stewart, Deputy Director at Monkstown Boxing Club, said:
“Lucy has made an outstanding contribution during her placement year and quickly became a valued part of our team. Programmes like this are incredibly important because they give students meaningful professional experience while allowing organisations like ours to benefit from fresh ideas, creativity and enthusiasm. It has been fantastic to support Lucy’s development and see her grow in confidence throughout the year.”
Robert McKenna, Head of Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Management and Chair of the Employability Sub-Committee at Ulster University Business School, added:
“The quality of this year’s submissions demonstrated not only the exceptional talent of our students, but also the strength of the partnerships we have built with employers across a wide range of sectors. Placements are central to enhancing graduate employability and ensuring students leave university equipped with the skills, confidence and experience industry needs.”
Employer representatives from organisations including A&O Shearman, Invest NI, Seagate Technology, Lidl, BPerfectCosmetics and Deloitte attended the event alongside students and university staff.
The awards highlighted the growing importance of university-business collaboration in creating pathways into employment and supporting regional economic growth through skills development and industry engagement.