A charity boss who led the charge for two major healthcare developments around a rare genetic condition has been named among the winners of the 2026 Edinburgh Napier University Alumni Awards.
A former Scotland rugby league international, Giles Lomax is now the chief executive of SMA UK, a charity dedicated to supporting and empowering people affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Under his leadership, the organisation has recently celebrated the announcements of routine newborn screening across Scotland and England, and improved access to life-changing drug therapies.
Giles, who graduated from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) with a with a degree in Sport & Exercise Science and later returned to complete a postgraduate diploma in Sports Performance Enhancement, took on the role at SMA UK after his twins were diagnosed with the condition in 2019.
Following a high-profile campaign backed by former Little Mix band member Jesy Nelson, all babies are now routinely tested for SMA within five days of their birth. If SMA is identified before symptoms appear, most children can grow up without experiencing the life-limiting effects of the condition.
Giles has also undertaken several endurance challenges to raise awareness and funding for those with the condition – including long distance cycles and hikes.
Giles has now been honoured with ENU’s Alumni Award for Excellence – one of four winners in the category this year.
They, along with the winners in other categories, will be formally presented with their awards at a ceremony this month.
Reacting to the news Giles Lomax said: “When I joined SMA UK three years ago, I had two long-term ambitions which I called my ‘Everest’: securing routine newborn screening for SMA and ensuring long-term access to life-changing treatments.
“Incredibly, we’ve achieved both in the last year.
“It's very rare in life that you get the opportunity to make such a huge change for the future.
“The emotional weight of my responsibility was significant, but successfully getting those approvals across the line made it worthwhile.
“Edinburgh Napier played a huge role in shaping my life. I arrived here unexpectedly, had an amazing undergraduate experience, returned for postgraduate study and built a career in Scotland.
“To receive an award of this calibre from a University that has meant so much to me is a real honour. I'm genuinely delighted and very grateful to be recognised in this way. “
Excellence Awards
The 2026 Alumni Awards also recognise three other Edinburgh Napier University graduates with Excellence Awards.
Sonia Kumar, who graduated in Biological Science in 1997, has since gone on to work in government counterintelligence and cyber security. She is now a senior figure at electronics manufacturer Analog Devices. Sonia said: “Edinburgh Napier wasn't simply where I earned a degree. It's where I became independent, discovered who I was, and met people who are still important to me today. To receive recognition from an institution I care about so deeply means a great deal.”
A senior nurse at NHS 24, Nursing alumnus Nicola Braid works at a national level to improve healthcare for people with learning disabilities. She was recently named Royal College of Nursing Scotland’s Nurse of the Year for her efforts to ensure people with learning disabilities receive the same quality of care as everyone else. Nicola said: “To be recognised for making a difference is incredibly special, but it's also an opportunity to raise awareness of learning disability nursing and the important work being done across Scotland. If this award helps shine a spotlight on the profession and the people it supports, then that's something I'm very proud of.”
Senior events producer Rebecca Rodgers has worked on some of the UK's most significant public events, from the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to the opening of V&A Dundee and BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. She went straight into the sector after graduating from
ENU’s Festival and Event Management programme in 2011, and recently joined specialist event firm Rogue City Productions. Rebecca said: “I was genuinely humbled and delighted to be given this award. Edinburgh Napier gave me such a strong foundation for my career, and it's been wonderful to reflect on that journey. Receiving this recognition from the university means a great deal to me.”
Impact Award
The Impact Award is being given to Zakia Moulaoui Guery for her work as founder of Invisible Cities, a social enterprise that trains people affected by homelessness to become tour guides. Originally from France, Zakia began her studies on ENU’s postgraduate Publishing programme in 2009. She devised the concept of Invisible Cities after working with the Homeless World Cup and Social Bite. It has now been operating for ten years, with tours across the UK that
have been featured by the BBC, The Guardian, Vogue, National Geographic, Vanity Fair and Lonely Planet.
Zakia said: “People often focus on the big dream, but businesses and organisations are built through lots of small steps. That's exactly how Invisible Cities grew. One idea became a project. The project became an organisation. One tour became thousands. Step by step, it all added up.
“Receiving this award feels like a celebration not only of the impact Invisible Cities has had, but also of the community that has helped make it possible. That's what makes it so meaningful.”
Rising Star Award
Caden Armstrong is the founder of Book Lovers Bookshop, the UK’s first brick and mortar romance bookshop. Another Publishing graduate, she moved from the US to begin her studies in Edinburgh in 2022 – and opened her shop in the city just two years later. It has proved incredibly popular, welcoming
hundreds of customers, hosting events, and going on to win Independent Bookshop of the Year at the 2026 British Book Awards.
Caden said: “I never opened the shop expecting awards or recognition. My goal was simply to create a space for readers and celebrate a genre that means so much to me.
“Being recognised in this way is incredibly meaningful, but it also reflects the hard work of the entire team. The shop is what it is today, because of the people who have helped build it, and I'm proud to share that recognition with them.”
Volunteer Awards
Solicitor Sam Stoddart Durning oversees the
youth programme of the Edinburgh Napier Knights, the University’s successful American football team. Sam played for the team throughout his studies and helped launch the youth programme in 2017, giving local young people the opportunity to participate in sport and become part of the ENU community. Sam said: “My biggest motivation goes far beyond the sport itself. Watching young players grow in confidence, find direction and move on to higher education, apprenticeships and employment is one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching. It's become much bigger than a sports team.”
Fellow Law graduate David Roberts has built an impressive marketing career, recently launching Fresh Edinburgh, an integrated marketing division within a global brand experience company. He devotes time to supporting ENU’s marketing programmes, sharing his expertise through guest lectures, mentoring and industry events. David said:
“Every time I engage with students, I learn something new. Their perspectives, ideas and experiences help keep me fresh and aware of how the industry is changing. I also remember the people who gave their time to support me when I was a student. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to give something back.”
You can read more about each of the 2026 winners here.