booklet

Rory Gullan (OMT, 2003) Architecture, McGill University, Montreal;

Glasgow School of Ar t Photographer & Director

Rory started his work in photography while studying Architecture and has since built up a large regular international client base and strong reputation with his photography studio, Studio Rogue. He has consulted on studio quality control, logistics and workflow, been a guest speaker and participated in panel discussions and Q&A sessions. He is also a Cancer Research UK ambassador. Studio Rogue is a leading production and fashion photography studio producing creative and e-commerce photography and video for start-up, luxury brands, and everything in between. They mainly focus on fashion photography in its various forms but are not limited to this; they’ve shot documentary footage up mountains, have extensive experience with drinks and lifestyle brands, and created artwork for a major hotel project in the U.S. Rory is looking forward to reassuring students that it is ok to not know what you want to do yet and encouraging them to work towards opportunities before they exist.

Viral Kantaria (OMT, 2005) English & Spanish, University of Leeds Chief of Staff to the NHS Chief Operating Officer, NHS England

After undertaking an MA at the University of York, Viral entered a tumultuous job market in 2010 in the shadow of the global financial crisis, choosing to join the civil service. Since 2016 he has worked for NHS England, the national headquarters of the NHS, setting policy and strategy, managing stakeholders and partnerships, and securing and overseeing the allocation of major budgets to deliver major improvements in mental healthcare, including £1bn to increase access to high-quality care in the community for people with severe mental health problems. After a six-month secondment as a Programme Director in East London implementing this transformation locally, he took a six-month career break to travel around the world with his now-wife. He is currently Chief of Staff to the NHS England Chief Operating Officer, Sir David Sloman, who oversees all operational performance and improvement in the NHS, leads the national response to Covid-19 and other major incidents, and is driving the reform of regional and local delivery mechanisms during the most challenging period in the 75-year history of the NHS. Viral looks forward to discussing transferable skills with students and how to apply humanities competencies flexibly.