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Marie Bernice Rutaganda worked part-time at Bedford St Coffee while studying for her project management degree at Teesside University from 2019 to 2022. and processing facility for surrounding smallholders. The family business, Rwamatamu Coffee LTD, is the first step in preparing coffee ‘cherries’ into the ‘beans’ It is the first time the coffee has been sold in the UK, with Rounton Coffee Roasters now the first in the UK to stock Rwamatamu’s coffee.

During that time, the coffee shop owner at Rounton Coffee Roasters discovered that Marie Bernice's family runs a coffee washing station in Rwanda.

The wet mill near Kibuye in Rwanda, which is owned and operated by Marie Bernice's parents, acts as a central purchasing and processing facility for surrounding smallholders. The family business, Rwamatamu Coffee LTD, is the first step in preparing coffee 'cherries' into the 'beans' used to brew coffee.

and processing facility for surrounding smallholders. The family business, Rwamatamu Coffee LTD, is the first step in preparing coffee ‘cherries’ into the ‘beans’ used to brew coffee.

Since graduating last year from Teesside University, Marie Bernice and her husband Luke are working with Rounton to launch a new coffee from her family's coffee plantation. It is the first time the coffee has been sold in the UK, with Rounton Coffee Roasters now the first in the UK to stock Rwamatamu's coffee.

Marie Bernice said: ‘I was working as a barista while completing my studies as a way of staying within the coffee industry. I then introduced them to my family’s business to see if there was a possible collaboration, and the rest is history.’

International football superstar and Teesside University graduate Beth Mead crowned a remarkable end to 2022 with even more success when she was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Beth was announced as the winner of the event’s main category in recognition of her international sporting accomplishments and the impact of her success beyond the world of football. The Arsenal footballer scored six goals for her country at the competition, which added up to a record-breaking 20 international goals during the 2020/21 season.

The England Women's Football Team were also crowned Team of the Year.

The accolades capped off a fantastic year for Beth, which saw her thrive at the European Championships 2022 with England's Lionesses and win Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot. The Arsenal footballer scored six goals for her country at the competition, which added up to a record-breaking 20 international goals during the 2020/21 season.

Beth was also the runner-up in the Ballon d'Or Feminin, which recognises the best female footballers from across the globe. Beth, 28, from Whitby, studied BA (Hons) Sports Development at Teesside University and was part of the Elite Athlete Scheme, graduating in 2016. She has since set up a scholarship in her name supporting aspirational female footballers at Teesside University.

up a scholarship in her name supporting aspirational female footballers at Teesside University.

Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), said: ‘Teesside University is very proud of all that Beth has achieved. She had an incredible year and the many prestigious accolades she has received are extremely well deserved.’