University celebrates alumna Maddison Walker’s royal recognition for lifelong learning

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of alumna Maddison Walker, who has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Patron’s Award’ by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at the inaugural Get the Nation Learning Awards.

Maddison, a West Midlands businesswoman and graduate of the University’s Senior Leader Apprenticeship programme, received the award in recognition of her inspiring journey through adult education and her commitment to lifelong learning. The Patron’s Award is personally selected by Her Royal Highness, Patron of Learning and Work Institute, which leads the national Get the Nation Learning campaign.

Having left school after completing her GCSEs, Maddison entered the workforce immediately and quickly rose through the ranks in the business world. She launched her first consultancy at just 24, while caring for her newborn son, and later took on roles in business development and advisory services across the region. In 2022, she enrolled on the University’s Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship to formalise her experience with academic credentials.

Despite facing significant personal challenges - including solo parenting, a demanding workload, and leaving an abusive marriage - Maddison excelled in her studies, achieving an outstanding 89% in her dissertation. She has since launched a successful business, secured contracts with public and private sector organisations, and joined the board of Trustees for West Midlands Women’s Aid.

Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, said:

“Many congratulations to Maddison on this prestigious award. It is much deserved and everyone at the University of Wolverhampton is extremely proud of her. Her achievements are an inspiration to many, and her journey is an example of how our university can not only create opportunities but also transform futures. We all look forward to watching Maddison’s continued growth and to her making an impact and lasting difference.”

The Get the Nation Learning Awards, held at the Barbican in London, celebrate individuals and organisations who champion adult learning and its role in building healthier futures, stronger communities, and regional growth. The campaign is supported by over 100 organisations including Channel 4, Make UK, and the National Housing Federation.

Patron Award winner, Maddison Walker said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. My journey began with the simple goal to gain a qualification to support the work I loved. As a mum who left school with just GCSEs, I never imagined I could achieve an MBA. The Level 7 apprenticeship gave me that opportunity, even through some incredibly tough challenges – ending an abusive marriage, a challenging workload, and balancing personal and professional pressures. Completing my MBA transformed not just my career, but my confidence, resilience, and belief in what’s possible. Today, I run my own business, enabling established companies to grow and scale, see my son thrive and sit on the board of Trustees for West Midlands Women's Aid. Adult learning and apprenticeships truly have the power to unlock potential, change lives, and open doors we never thought possible.”

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, added:

“We are delighted that Maddison is the winner of the ‘Patron’s Award’ at our inaugural Get the Nation Learning Awards. Maddison’s outstanding achievements in her apprenticeship and her career, her commitment to progression and the perseverance she has shown, make her incredibly deserving of this award. Her story is proof of how empowering lifelong learning can be.”

The University of Wolverhampton remains committed to supporting learners from all backgrounds to achieve their potential and is proud to be part of Maddison’s transformative journey.