Sam Davies has worked in the educational fundraising and alumni engagement sector for over 25 years, at universities, independent schools and education charities.  During her final year of undergraduate study at the University of Warwick, she joined the university’s first-ever telephone fundraising campaign as a student caller and was the top-performing caller during that appeal, followed soon by a career in fundraising!

Sam’s background: She studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Warwick and fell into fundraising while there.  She was the first person in her family to go to university and made the most of everything on offer, such as writing for the student newspaper and joining a variety of societies.

Regarding her interests and hobbies, Sam comments, “My first love has always been music and I love to sing.  Many moons ago, I was the lead singer in a new wave covers band and I really want to return to this passion at some point in the future.  At the moment, I have to make do with the occasional karaoke and open mic nights in my local area, but I am determined to be on the stage once more someday”.

What Sam is looking forward to in her new position at the UK Trust

Sam is looking forward to meeting many UK-based UCT alumni: finding out about their experiences of studying at UCT; why they chose UCT in the first place and what else they learned from being a UCT student.  She is also eager to meet alumni and donors who make charitable donations to the UCT Trust in the UK.  Sam comments, “I came from a disadvantaged background, but thanks to generous donors, I was awarded a fully funded bursary during my secondary school years.  This was pivotal for me – it gave me a sense of achievement and encouraged me to reach for my full potential, expanding my horizons.

Sam’s call to UCT alum currently living in the UK:

I would like to meet up with you for a coffee, so please get in touch! The UCT Trust hosts a number of alumni events throughout the year and also has the means to put individual alumni in touch with each other.  This is especially important if you are coming to the UK for the first time and want to meet like-minded people.