Rising star Leyana in line for national student award

Leyana Akbani, a former sixth-form pupil at All Saints’ Catholic Academy, beat off a host of other hopefuls in the competition, which is for students who have excelled in the workplace while studying for their degrees.

She won the northern regional final in the commercial impact category of the Student Employee of the Year Award, and is now set for the national final on Thursday, July 5.

“I am so honoured,” said 21-year-old Leyana, who works for the Derby-based firm, Unlimited Wellbeing. “I absolutely love my job and working alongside my university studies allowed me to learn the skills in the classroom and develop them in the office.

“My role also enabled me to build great relationships with clients which only motivates me more to ensure we deliver the best possible service.”

Leyana, who went to Lammas School at Sutton before switching to All Saints, has just graduated with first-class honours in her BA (hons) degree in business and human resources management at Sheffield Hallam University.

Judges for the competition, which is run by the National Association of Student Employement Services, heard how she has helped Unlimited Wellbeing exploit new opportunities and develop enterprising ideas.

The firm is the largest online community of health and wellbeing professionals and, earlier this year, Leyana was behind a huge event at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium. It attracted thousands of people who took part in therapy sessions and learned about products.

Dave Leverton, of Unlimited Wellbeing, said: “We are all incredibly proud of Leyana. She has become a key member of the team and is integral to our success and growth.

“She is exceptionally talented with a very bright future. Winning this competition would be an incredible achievement and a fitting reward for her hard work and integrity.”