Brighton apprentice named Graduate of the Year at Gatwick Diamond Business Awards

Tom Miller, who completed a degree apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying at the University of Brighton while working in the industry, received the award for his outstanding performance in combining academic excellence with practical industry experience.

The win follows last year’s success by fellow Brighton graduate Isaac Wiggers, underlining the strength of the university’s degree apprenticeship model in delivering impact for businesses across the region through work-integrated learning.

Tom, who now works for Brighton-based Woodhart Group, graduated with first‑class honours and credits the degree apprenticeship route with giving him the practical experience needed to succeed in a competitive industry.

“Winning this award makes me so proud of the hard work and commitment I poured into my degree”, Tom said.

“Starting the degree a little bit later rather than straight after college definitely helped me, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support from my lecturers at the University of Brighton.”

Tom’s journey into the profession reflects a deliberate and focused approach to his career. After beginning his studies at the University of Greenwich, where he completed a Higher National Certificate in Quantity Surveying, he progressed to the University of Brighton to complete his degree, graduating with first-class honours.

Tom credits the degree apprenticeship programme at the University of Brighton with giving him the skills necessary for a successful career in industry.

He said: “I would always recommend the degree apprenticeship route. The degree is important, but most of the quantity surveying can’t really be taught in just lectures. Working in the industry provides exposure and practical experience.”

Professor Imran Rafiq, Dean of the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering, said: “We are incredibly proud of Tom and what he has achieved by being the second consecutive Brighton apprentice to win this award. His success reflects the dedication of our students and the power of learning through doing. By combining academic rigour with sustained industry experience, our students develop the technical expertise, professional confidence and real-world insight that employers are looking for.

“Tom’s achievement, being the second consecutive win for a Brighton apprentice, demonstrates the strength of our degree apprenticeship model in preparing graduates who can excel from day one. By combining academic rigour with sustained industry experience, our students develop the technical expertise, professional confidence and real-world insight that employers are looking for.”

The Gatwick Diamond Business Awards celebrate excellence across businesses and professionals in the region, with the Graduate of the Year category recognising individuals who demonstrate exceptional performance, commitment and potential early in their careers.

Tom’s award reinforces the University of Brighton’s role in supporting regional skills development and delivering graduates who are ready to make an immediate impact in the workplace.