TV Production students at Bedfordshire were treated to an exclusive night at London’s chic Graphic Bar at Soho Square where they met leading media experts who were on hand to offer not only advice, but work opportunities too.

The Wrap Party, which is an annual event now in its third year, presents solely Bedfordshire students with the rare opportunity to rub-shoulders with those succeeding at all levels of media.

Among the guests were director of hit sit-com Mrs Brown’s Boys, BAFTA award winning Ben Kellet; Tamara Howe, BBC Controller Business, Comedy and Entertainment; Joe Godwin, Director BBC Children’s; Jo Johnson Director Holby City, David McClelland Technology Presenter BBC’s Rip Off Britain, and Louise Houghton Presenter London Live; Kerry Boyne Finalist Blue Peter You Decide!; Sarah Giles vision mixer EastEnders; Richard Wyllie Producer/Director Channel 4’s Dispatches and Charlotte Woolley Assistant Producer Gogglebox.

Alongside these were former University students who had returned for the special night – an annual event which is now in its third year – including Sarah Jane Cass, Senior Talent Agent Somethin’ Else, Dellessa James, Producer Radio 1Xtra’s Award winning Charlie Sloth; Luke Howard Producer/Director Melody for CBeebies; Gemma Hunt TV Presenter Swashbuckle also on CBeebies.

Ram Tripathi and Allar Kaasik both editors in Soho having studied Masters at National Film and Television School, after graduating in Television Production at the University, were also in attendance.

The networking night proved a highlight for many, with students reporting back about their success in promoting themselves and being able to gain something from the evening.

Kimberley Blackman, a first-year student, said: “Since the event took place Tamara Howe has emailed me suggesting we should speak in May. I really hope there are more events like this because it was very useful to meet people in the industry right now and it has given me the extra determination to succeed.”

Connor Cooledge, a second-year student, added: “I have arranged to meet for coffee with Michael Absalom, a TV presenter, to visit hotspots in London to help me know where to meet the right people. Myself and Ben Kellet, Sharon Miller, a TV writer, and Danny Steele, a stand-up comic, shall communicate about future projects via email and Tamara Howe has agreed to try and set up a meeting at the BBC to discuss my ideas.

“This was honestly the most amazing and useful event I have attended since starting university.”

Kathryn Wolfe, Senior Lecturer in Media Performance and Course Leader Television Production who organised the event, said: “The sheer number of high profile TV industry guests who attended shows how highly the University of Bedfordshire is regarded by the industry. Our alumni go from strength to strength and our students are able to mingle and impress with the best. It was a fantastic evening and proves Television Production at UoB is in the fast lane.”

• Visit youtube.com/thetvlab
• See all the photos from the night