2014 Winner and Finalists for the Eighth Scholarship

Craig Kitto was awarded the Eighth Cranfield Australian Alumni Scholarship, 2014 at the award dinner on Monday 26th May, Sydney. Robert Sutton was awarded an “Outstanding candidate award” and Andrew Ireland a “Fees Bursary” by Cranfield School of Management. 

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Interested applicants can register their interest here for 2015 and beyond.

Craig Kitto Robert Sutton Andrew Ireland

Craig Kitto

2014 Scholar

Mechanical Engineer, Aurecon

Craig is a mechanical engineer with experience on several multi-billion dollar major infrastructure projects.  As an undergraduate, he began his engineering career as the third member of a small consultancy in Toowoomba. Upon graduation, Craig sought opportunity for major project experience with a relocation to Brisbane and employment with a prominent diversified engineering company.

Craig completed his Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland, and was recognised with highest overall achievement. He also has a keen interest in finance, and is looking forward to combining this interest with his major infrastructure project experience and a world class business management education from Cranfield.  Ultimately, Craig’s goal is to help develop a better infrastructure investment framework in Australia.

Craig is driven by the pursuit of personal development – valuing not only academic achievement but personal character, social engagement and physical wellbeing. He volunteers in his church community as a youth representative, and has a pastoral care role amongst his peers. 

Outside of work, Craig enjoys touch football, cycling, a good Beatles album, an engrossing book, and sharing conversation over a dark ale. He thoroughly enjoys travelling, and the new experiences and perspective it affords. Craig and his wife are thrilled by the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Cranfield community, and its international and multi-cultural experience.

Robert Sutton 

Outstanding candidate Award winner

Program Manager, Raytheon Australia, Brisbane

Robert was born in South Africa, and immigrated to Sydney, Australia with his family when he was ten. After finishing high school, Robert joined the Australian Army. He studied Electrical Engineering at the Australian Defence Force Academy, and completed his training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, from where he graduated as an officer within the Corps of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Robert’s first role post graduation was as the Second in Command of the workshop at 162 Reconnaissance Squadron, at that time equipped with the Bell 206-B “Kiowa” aircraft. Subsequent postings included a Design Engineer role at the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Project Office; the Australian Defence Force School of Languages to study Mandarin Chinese; the role of workshop commander at the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition Regiment (at that time equipped with the Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle); and the role of Project Engineering Manager for the acquisition of the CH-47F “Chinook” helicopter.  Robert chose to resign from the regular Army after this posting and the birth of his first child, and now continues to serve with the Army Reserve. His current role is as a Program Manager within the Defence Industry. Robert is a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Certified Practicing Program Director.

Robert is a proud husband to Laura, and father of two wonderful boys, Miles and Elliot.

Robert is very excited at the prospect of completing an MBA at Cranfield University, particularly because of its strong Defence and aviation heritage, and professional reputation. Robert feels that he will be able to personally grow and develop, both through the course material and through the contact with diverse and interesting class mates. 

Andrew Ireland 

Fees Bursary winner 

Property Advisor – Architect – [a4A]d

For the last 20 years, Andrew has been working primarily as an Architect and Urban Designer on projects in almost all sectors at both local and international scales. He is a registered Architect and an active member of the Property Council of Australia and the Australian Property Institute. For the past 6 years, he has been raising a family and running a private consultancy practice focused on property development and investment and advising/assisting other small-medium practices.

Andrew values education and has graduated from the University of Canberra Architecture programme with honours and from the University of NSW Masters of Property and Development programme, receiving the Australian Property Institute Postgraduate prize. While studying, Andrew has also represented these universities through exchange scholarships to École d’Architecture de Paris-Val-de-Marne and University of Kitakyushu in Japan.

In business, educational and personal pursuits Andrew undertakes mentoring and leadership roles through formal appointment and informal volunteer positions. He has been a tutor, trained and managed staff and volunteers, lead and co-ordinated projects and expeditions, provided strategic problem solving and also simply gets involved. Andrew often takes a hands on approach as he likes to get things done. He enjoys snowboarding, sailing, cycling, hiking, architectural photography and helping his children develop.

Andrew sees the unique “Cranfield Experience” and the Cranfield MBA programme as an opportunity to explore skills, strategies and connections in business, leadership, management and personal development. He aspires to provide positive direction, drive and stability, becoming a leader of the property industry.