WBS celebrates alumni breaking boundaries and building communities

Warwick Business School honoured three outstanding graduates at its 2025 Alumni Awards, recognising their exceptional contributions to business, education, and community empowerment.  

The awards evening at The Slate on the University of Warwick campus was part of a two-day MBA Alumni Conference on Breaking Boundaries - The power of an entrepreneurial mindset. 

This year, two WBS Alumni Awards for Community Empowerment were presented to Justin Farrance, founder and CEO of charity Grow Mentoring that supports diversity in the law industry, and serial entrepreneur Jayant Gauri, founder of Raintree Schools, which offers affordable quality education for students in Bangalore, India. 

Richard Eldridge picked up the WBS Alumni Award for Business Entrepreneurship to honour a stellar career that saw him create Lenddo, a pioneer in the use of alternative data to provide credit scores to millions of micro and small businesses in emerging markets. 

Dan Pearson, WBS Director of Academic Environment who presented the awards to the winners, said: “These awards celebrate WBS alumni who represent the School’s CORE values and its Change Maker mindset.  

“We are incredibly proud to have a global community of alumni who are using what they have learned at Warwick Business School to help them transform their companies, industries, and society. These awards are a wonderful way to recognise their achievements - congratulations to all of our award winners.” 

BSc Management graduate Justin launched Grow Mentoring in 2020 and it has now supported more than 10,000 lawyers through mentoring, partnered with more than 40 organisations, and hosted flagship events for hundreds of students. In 2025 it was named Not-for-Profit Organisation of the Year at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards. 

As a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, Justin, who spoke at last year's graduation ceremony, has been recognised as a Top 100 LGBTQ+ Trailblazer by Attitude Magazine, a #1 Future Leader by the British LGBT Awards, and is a McKinsey Achievement Award winner. 

“I joined Warwick as a first-generation student navigating the world of higher education,” said Justin, who is a Senior Manager at law firm A&O Shearman and its Inclusion Champion. “Education is power. Community is also power. It’s a privilege to have access to both.  

“Using your position to build a community as a leader, colleague or volunteer around the world is using your influence for good. In a world dominated by influencers, use yours for good! It makes great business sense too.” 

With two campuses, more than 80 staff and serving more than 1,000 students annually, Jayant’s Raintree Schools offers a globally relevant, values-based curriculum that integrates mental health, life skills, and sustainability.  

Jayant, who graduated with an MSc Marketing & Strategy, has led national education policy consultations in India, launched community health initiatives, and created the Excellence in Teaching Awards for budget private schools. 

“It is an honour to receive the Alumni Award for Community Empowerment,” said Jayant, who is also a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum and has represented the Bangalore community at the India Economic Summit in Delhi, Shape South Asia in Sri Lanka and Shape MENA in Muscat, Oman. “I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that values purpose-driven leadership and long-term impact.  

“This award is not just a personal milestone - it’s a tribute to the power of collective effort and the importance of giving back. My time at WBS has played a pivotal role in shaping my outlook, and I’m proud to carry that forward in all that I do.” 

Singapore-based entrepreneur Richard has also led digital transformation at Infinit-O, mentored social impact ventures through Courage Rocks, and championed mental wellness as CEO of Infinit Care. Lenddo, which was created by Richard in 2011, was recognised globally when it was named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2014. 

Richard, who graduated with a BSc Management Science in 1995, said: “My time at Warwick didn’t just teach me the fundamentals of business, it pushed me to think bigger, to lead with purpose, and act with courage. 

“That mindset helped me turn ideas into real business ventures that solved meaningful problems, created jobs, and I hope will leave the world a little better for future generations. 

“To current and future WBS students - keep pushing boundaries, stay curious, pursue bold ideas and you can unlock your full potential.” 

Further reading:

Meet our Change Makers: Justin Farrance

'Focus on finding your purpose,' inspirational alum tells WBS students

WBS tops Russell Group in National Student Survey for fourth consecutive year

Discover Warwick Business School's Change Makers.