University of Bradford business graduate Sonya Byrne has won a top award after developing a concept to sell virtual copies of her own fashion creations.
She has been named Association of MBAs Student of the Year 2024 in the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards.
Sonya enrolled in the School of Management’s Executive MBA in 2020. She had previously taken part in Bradford Business Challenge, where she first worked with MBA students on solving real-world problems. During her time at Bradford, she helped develop the first ever MBA Summit.
Having spent 15 years working for some of the biggest names in fashion – including Inditex, Miroglio and BESTSELLER – she started her own business with husband Liam and designed non-fungible tokens to go alongside bespoke women’s fashion items.
She said: “I am deeply honoured and thrilled to have been awarded the AMBA Student of the Year 2024.
“This recognition reinforces the profound impact of education as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation on multiple levels, extending beyond academic accomplishments. It underscores the pivotal roles of leadership, collaboration, and the creation of a vibrant and inclusive community, which, for me, has been a monumental experience.
“The award has fundamentally elevated my personal and professional development, sharpening my entrepreneurial abilities and equipping our start-up business with the skills needed to compete on the international stage.”
