KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Bob Athwal

Director of the Careers Service, University of Leicester

Bob has a first degree in Mathematical Modelling from the University of Greenwich and began his career their as Students Union President from 1996 to 1998. After a fantastic two years Bob joined Enterprise Rent-A-Car on their graduate programme. Bob very quickly established himself at Enterprise and enjoyed many successes ending his career at Enterprise as the Resourcing Manager for London and the Southeast in 2004. 

From 2004 to 2006 Bob worked as a supplier to the graduate recruitment industry as the UK Graduate Marketing Manager for graduate-jobs.com, a role that enhanced Bob's knowledge of the graduate marketplace in the UK as well as create a network of contacts at some of the country’s leading employers. During this time Bob also embarked upon his Executive MBA at the University of Southampton, which he completed in 2008. 

In 2006, Bob joined RWE npower as Head of Graduate Schemes responsible for both recruitment and development of graduates, and during his last 18 months at RWE npower was the HR Business Partner to the CEO and CFO direct reports. During the 5 1/2 years at RWE npower, Bob and his team transformed the npower brand into one of the most dynamic, visible and successful brands in graduate recruitment and development. In 2008 RWE npower won both awards that year for Innovation on Campus for the much acclaimed “npower energy challenge”. Many of the graduates recruited during that period are now in senior positions at RWE npower including producing a number of executive support managers to the CEO and other board members.

Bob is a regular International conference speaker, as well as a Board member of the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR). In 2011 ‘Getting it Right’, of which he is a co-author, was published, this is the first book in the UK aimed at graduate recruiters and developers. He is qualified in Level A & B as well as Step 1 & 2 of MBTI. 

In 2012 Bob joined the University of Leicester to become the Director of the Career Development Service to lead a step change in University and employer collaboration. Bob and his team have already been highly commended by graduate employers with their stance for “no prep no entry” to campus events, ensuring that employers engage in quality conversations with employers. In his spare time Bob likes to travel, watch football and spend time with his family.