NLive Radio Station Manager Rebecca Steers Highly Commended at ARU Alumni Awards
Rebecca Steers, Station Manager of NLive Radio in Northampton, has been Highly Commended in the Alumni Contribution to Culture category at the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Vice Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumni Awards
The awards were presented at ARU’s Chelmsford campus, recognising alumni who have made a significant contribution to the local, national or international cultural community. Rebecca, who graduated from ARU with a BA (Hons) Communication Studies in 2010, was recognised for her leadership in community broadcasting and her sustained commitment to strengthening local media
As Station Manager of NLive Radio, Northampton’s local radio station, Rebecca has played a central role in developing the station as a platform for local voices, grassroots creativity and civic engagement. Under her leadership, NLive Radio has expanded volunteer participation, strengthened links with community organisations, and increased opportunities for people of all ages to gain skills and experience in radio broadcasting.
Alongside her work at NLive Radio, Rebecca is nationally recognised as a leading advocate for community radio. The citation for her award highlights nearly two decades of contribution to the sector as a station manager, sector organiser and national representative. She is the founder of Scout Radio, the Community Radio Awards, and a co‑founder of the UK Community Radio Network, helping ensure community stations are represented at national level, including at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, said:
“An ARU student’s journey does not end at graduation. After crossing the stage, they remain a vital part of our community. It was a great pleasure to welcome back so many of our outstanding alumni and it is always a joyous occasion to be able to celebrate their impact both in the workplace and in the communities they serve.”
Rebecca Steers said the recognition reflected the importance of strong local stations like NLive Radio:
“Community radio works best when it’s rooted in place. Being Station Manager of NLive Radio means helping Northampton tell its own stories and giving people the confidence to use their voices. I’m incredibly proud of what our volunteers and presenters achieve every day, and I’m honoured that this work, both locally and across the wider sector has been recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.”
The Vice Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumni Awards are open to public nomination, with alumni shortlisted across seven categories including culture, entrepreneurship and sustainability. Rebecca’s Highly Commended award highlights the cultural impact of community radio at a local level, and the role stations such as NLive Radio play in strengthening communities across the UK.
