MPI UK & Ireland Chapter has announced the winners of the Vanessa Cotton Scholarship 2024, which sees two graduates awarded with an eighteen-month paid internship at BCD Meetings & Events.

At an evening event hosted by BCD M&E at its newly opened boutique tower offices overlooking Liverpool Street, MPI’s Cathy Joyce and Brian Hand (president and president-elect) revealed that Russell Abercrombie who has graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University and Siqi Chen from The University of Surrey, are the winners of this year’s internship.

The graduate event coordinator roles will commence from early September and for the next 18 months, each will each complete a rotation programme across key lines of the business within BCD Meetings & Events based at the new offices.

This unique opportunity will provide a solid foundation for them to build the relevant skills and develop careers within the meetings and events industry.

“It has been great partnering with MPI UK & Ireland Chapter with this scholarship in bringing our winners Russell and Siqi to start their M&E career journey with us. Both Russell’s and Siqi’s applications stood out initially as they both shared their personal stories and experience along with what the events world means to them,” said Michelle Biggane, talent acquisition manager, BCD Meetings and Events.

“Their passion and enthusiasm for a career in our wonderful sector came through loud and clear. We cannot wait for them to start with us and see what the future holds – exciting times ahead.”

Abercrombie and Chen were also gifted a dining experience including a taster menu with wines at Chez Roux, Michel Roux’s new restaurant within The Langham London, by Benjamin Ng, hotel manager and Max Simpkins, director of group sales (GSO UK), who both attended the event.

Originally established in 2011, The Vanessa Cotton Scholarship was reintroduced in 2024. It aims to nurture and support the next generation of talent by offering hands-on training, mentorship and exposure to a wide range of industry professionals.