2026 Alumni of the Month

Kolade Olajide

A man wears a long sleeved white shirt and looks at the camera. His chin is resting on his hand.

Marketing and Innovation

1. Tell us about yourself.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Marketing and Innovation. I am the Global Lead, Programme Experience and Quality at VisionSpring, a social enterprise whose focus is on improving vision to improve livelihood. The role involves enhancing the customer journey for those who visit our screening camps through implementation of standardised operating procedures, training, and supportive supervision, amongst others.

Married with a kid, I love dogs, video games and creating YouTube videos around customer experience and dogs. Check ServewithKolade. Haha. Couldn’t help myself.

2. What is your fondest memory of Anglia Ruskin University?
I met a great friend there. I recall meeting her one morning while exploring the campus as a fresher. She’s French, originated from the Comoros Islands, and we are still good friends today.

3. What has been your favourite job?
I have been in customer experience for over a decade. Up to now, my current role gives me the highest fulfilment. I get to travel which I love. It’s mostly remote. And I get to change lives. Research has shown a 30x improvement in the livelihood of workers who are able to perform near-vision exercises better because they now have a simple pair of reading glasses. It is remarkable to be able to contribute towards this reality.

4. In one word, how would you describe Anglia Ruskin University?
Diverse.

5. How did your time at ARU help you?
ARU equipped me with the exposure to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

6. What did you love about your chosen course?
I loved the module, Consumer Behaviour, by Tim Froggett. Understanding how to appeal to customers by understanding emotional and rational triggers was truly a marvel.

7. What advice would you give to current students as they’re preparing to graduate?
A lot has changed since I completed my course in 2012. But this still holds true – find what you love. Even if it isn’t what you studied, pursue it and don’t give up as everything you’ve learnt will certainly be handy sometime in the future.

8. What do you know now that you wish you had known whilst studying?
Don’t stress too much about the future. You’ll figure it out when it comes. Enjoy yourself responsibly.

9. Who was the biggest influence on your career?
Myself.

10. What advice would you give your younger self?
You should have explored some more.

11. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I have self-published two novels on Amazon.

12. What’s next?
You’ll just have to follow me to find out.