Plymouth College of Art alumni win Devon & Plymouth Chamber’s 30 Under 30

Winners include current Students’ Union President Harriet Moore

Alumni from Plymouth College of Art, including the current Students’ Union President Harriet Moore, have successfully been selected for Devon & Plymouth Chamber’s 30 Under 30 campaign. Winners collected their awards at a ceremony at Schiller Hall in Buckfast Abbey on Friday 4 March.

Aiming to recognise and celebrate young talent across Devon, 30 Under 30 selects 30 individuals under the age of 30 throughout the county who have made a significant impact in the working world. From those positively contributing to the sustainability of our planet and local community, to those who have shown exceptional entrepreneurial abilities, the candidates chosen represent the brightest minds in business and the future of industry in the region.

Sponsored by a variety of local and regional businesses including engineering giant Babcock International Group and community interest company Real Ideas, the awards culminated at the prestigious, Spring themed ceremony held at the £2-million newly refurbished Schiller Hall in Buckfast Abbey on Friday 4 March. 

Plymouth College of Art Students’ Union president Harriet Moore and alumni Brogan Algar, Chloe Hodgkinson, Laura Scott and Georgia Gadsby were all chosen as 30 Under 30 winners, landing themselves a place amongst other bright and brilliant future business leaders in the region.

Harriet Moore, Plymouth College of Art Students’ Union President

Harriet Moore graduated from Plymouth College of Art’s BA (Hons) Photography degree in 2020, and went on to be elected as the 2020/21 Students’ Union President, having worked on the SU Team as a Marketing and Enterprise Lead for two years and as a Student Ambassador for three years. During her tenure as President, Harriet and her team won Best Campaign Supporting Student Wellbeing at the 2021 Think Student Awards. Harriet’s contribution to supporting students through the global pandemic by running the Student Union Food Bank from her flat, providing food, period products and toiletries to students who were experiencing financial hardship, self-isolating or vulnerable, encapsulated the optimistic and creative spirit Harriet has for the student body at Plymouth College of Art and the wider community.

Harriet said, “I’m honoured to have been chosen as one of Devon & Plymouth Chamber’s 30 Under 30. The campaign is a great way to showcase some of the dedicated individuals and amazing work going on in our local area. I know I couldn’t have achieved what I have without the support of so many people, so I want to thank them all for helping me get to where I am today!”

Brogan Algar, at the JDO RAW 2019 awards

Brogan Algar, who graduated from our BA (Hons) Graphic Communication degree in 2021 with a First Class Honours was also selected for the respected award. During her time as a student, Brogan was shortlisted for the JDO RAW 2019 award for her monochrome, tattoo design inspired branding for a 0% alcohol drink. Brogan said, “I wanted to reflect the idea of creating a positive impact on the world in the design, and so took inspiration from tattoo designs, which we use to create positive, permanent marks on our bodies.”

Since graduating, she has been running her own successful design company, Algar Design, and has worked with high profile clients including Fenty Skin and Fenty Beauty, alongside a range of social media clients. She said, “It’s an honour to have been selected as a winner, especially amongst such strong and inspiring individuals.”

Chloe Hodgkinson

Chloe Hodgkinson graduated from our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication degree with a First Class Honours in 2017 and after a period as a personal trainer, worked as a producer and brand manager for Pro:Direct. Now running Chlo & Co Media, a social media agency and Female Feel Good Club, Chloe has been featured in The Guardian and The Telegraph talking about her experiences with disordered eating, amenorrhea, fitness and health.

Chloe said, “I’m completely honoured and grateful to have won 30 Under 30. The exposure has enabled me to reach more girls that might need help around disordered eating and connect with others. Plymouth College of Art gave me that platform as my starting ground and I’m forever grateful.”

Georgia Gadsby

Graduating from Plymouth College of Art’s BA (Hons) Fashion Communication degree in 2019 with a First Class Honours, Georgia Gadsby went on to co-found Unearth PR after working as a Digital PR Consultant at NORTH, a content performance and digital PR company based in Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Georgia said, “I’m so grateful to have been selected by Devon & Plymouth Chamber to feature in their 30 Under 30 list. Having started Unearth PR in November 2020, with nothing but a small website and one client, the business has gone from strength to strength. In just over 18 months, we now have our own office in Drake Circus, a roster of fantastic clients and loads to look forward to in 2022.

“The success we’ve achieved has taken a huge amount of hard work and it feels absolutely amazing to be recognised for this by the judging panel of some of the South West’s most esteemed business people.”

Laura Scott

Laura Scott began her journey at Plymouth College of Art in the Pre-Degree centre, completing an Extended Diploma in Graphic Design with triple Distinction in 2015. Laura then went on to graduate from BA (Hons) Graphic Communication at Plymouth College of Art with a First Class Honours back in 2018. On completing her degree, Laura went on to found her own business, The Conscious Candy Company, an exciting vegan sweet company, after she noticed a gap in the market for vegan sweets and treats.

Dr Stephen Felmingham, Academic Dean at Plymouth College of Art said: “Our success at the 30 under 30 Awards is testament to the quality of the alumni of Plymouth College of Art and the transformational quality of the creative education offered here. We are enormously proud of our graduates and that they are forging their new business careers in the South West. Our work with the Devon and Plymouth Chambers is a key part of the employability mission of the College, and the Awards highlight the huge potential for young creative graduates in the business success of the region.”