Sarah Jardine, senior director of manufacturing with Optos plc (an international retinal imaging company), has been named the University of Strathclyde’s Alumna of the Year.

She received the award at the end of last month in recognition of her achievements in manufacturing and optics.

Mrs Jardine has been with Optos since she joined as a senior optical engineer in 2000, and she took up her current role in 2017.

The award is made annually to celebrate the contributions made by the university’s alumni in their chosen fields, in the UK and overseas.

Mrs Jardine said: “The challenges that the UK manufacturing sector is about to face in order to compete on the world stage need the brightest, sharpest and most enquiring minds to be ready to rise to the challenge.

“If you choose a career in manufacturing, it will be your behaviours that define you, your ability to admit when things have gone wrong, and the way that you respond to correct the problem, plus your ability to communicate openly and clearly with everyone from the shopfloor to the board room.”

Gian-Luca Oppo, of Strathclyde’s Department of Physics, presented Mrs Jardine with her award.

He said: “Sarah is the accomplishment of all of the Strathclyde values.

“Through her work, Optos (www.optos.com) has developed into a world leader in medical optics devices, where physical sciences are applied for the health benefit of the greater community.

“The manufacturing teams under Sarah’s leadership have realised new devices while working in an open, engaging and effective environment.”