List of Nominees for 2026 Elections

The education and community I found at Edinburgh have shaped my life and career since graduating in 1995. Since then I have worked across EMEA, Asia, and North America, and now serve as Operations Director at Harvard Business School Executive Education. 

My experience in strategic leadership, governance, and financial management spans higher education and business. Grateful for the foundation Edinburgh provided, I would bring both professional expertise and deep personal commitment to the Business Committee’s work, helping to sustain the University’s global reputation and fostering meaningful engagement with its alumni worldwide.

Max graduated from the University with a Double First Class Honours in Chinese and Russian before completing an MSc in East Asian Relations. He was awarded the Schwarzman Scholarship, which he completed at Tsinghua University in China in 2024. Max has experience running NGOs; designing governance procedures; and fostering international collaboration. He represented the University at the United Nations COP26 in Glasgow and served on the Board of the Edinburgh University Students' Association from 2019 to 2024. Max is committed to enhancing the reputation of the University at home and abroad, improving the student experience, and supporting international partnerships.

I served as Director of Communications, Marketing and External Affairs of the University of Edinburgh for 15 years, gaining a deep understanding of the University's governance, reputation and external relations, and regularly attended meetings of the Business Committee to report on public affairs.

I believe it's essential the alumni community is fully represented in the affairs of the University through the work of the General Council (Business Committee), and I'll bring leadership experience in higher education, in public affairs and marketing and communications as well as a strong commitment to the University's values to the Business Committee.

I offer 26 years of expertise in governance and innovation within technology:

• Communications & Engagement: Proven capacity to build high-profile platforms, exemplified by co-founding Google Campus and three venture capital funds, and establishing M&A departments at Google and PayPal.

• Community & Alumni: A robust network spanning academia, corporates, and venture, backed by Hon.Doc, Visiting Professorship and a track record of investing in university spinouts, ready to boost the University’s external profile.

• Governance: Oversight experience in regulated environments, gained from serving on FinTech boards and the BCS’ Public Affairs Committee, ensuring effective oversight of institutional strategy and compliance.

Emily Honeysett graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2017 with an MSc in International and European Politics. She began her career with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and has since built a global career in human resources across government, diplomacy, and the creative industries. She is currently People Manager at Kobalt Music Group, advising senior leaders across global teams, driving strategy, and championing DEI initiatives. Emily holds a GPHR certification and has guided leaders through complex employee relations, workforce planning, and organizational change.