It being my last day as a member of this excellent community at Imperial, I wanted to say a few thank you's for what has been a total rollercoaster of a year. Sorry (not sorry) if its a bit gushy.

One of the things that has endlessly impressed me has been the sheer number of people that are truly passionate about doing their best to make student’s time here amazing.  Whether they work in the finance team in the Union, or the College’s Registry department and every single person in between, I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for doing what you do.  I came in to work at the Union thinking that there must be some big bad people working somewhere at the College who hated students and wanted nothing more than to make their lives miserable, but throughout this year I’ve learned that these people actually work in the Home Office. I think that the future of the College, as well as the future of the Union are both in very, very, safe hands. 

I wanted to thank my team.  I’m not calling them "my team" because I actually own them, but because I am so proud of the things they have individually and collectively achieved that I want to own them. I feel blessed to have spent a year working alongside you, so thank you.

Last, but by no means least, I wanted to thank the 17,000 students who make Imperial what it is. Thank you to those of you who flexed their democratic muscles and voted for me back in 2014, I hope I've lived up to your expectations. 

It’s exceptionally hard to let go of somewhere like this, and we will truly miss it, but having seen the enthusiasm, excitement and passion of the incoming team, it’s time for us old hacks to move on. Thank you Lucinda, Ben, Cyin, Chris and Jennie for taking on such a challenge, and I wish you all the best for your year. 

Tom out.