Students at WBS Graduate with Flying Colours
Latest press releasesThe following articles are success stories from just a few of the students graduating from Warwick Business School this summer.
SPORT AND BUSINESS COMBINE FOR SUCCESS
Two students from Warwick Business School (WBS), part of the University of Warwick, have recently been using the skills and knowledge gained from their studies to promote their companies and careers along sporting lines, and with spectacular results:
Mark McKenna is Head of UK Marketing for the car firm SEAT. Mark graduated with a Warwick MBA last week, and used his MBA project to set up a new communications strategy to position the SEAT brand within the sporty image sector, through involving SEAT in UK motorsport. The huge success of Mark's project is proven by these results:
A championship race for up to 20 competitors each driving the same model of SEAT, a front-wheel drive turbo-charged 250bhp Leon Cupra R race car, built by SEAT in Barcelona especially for this event. Entitled the Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship, the event is taking place in the UK over this summer, having started in May. The winner will receive the biggest prize in British Motorsport, a salary-paid works SEAT drive in the 2004 FIA European Touring Car Championship, and the use of an apartment in Monte Carlo. The prize in total is worth over £500,000.
A series of programmes for ITV1 and 2 capturing the competitive world of young up-and-coming racing drivers as they strive to become professional. Entitled Racing Rivals the series is hosted by supermodel Nell McAndrew and ex-Touring Car Champion Jason Plato. The first programme is on Saturday July 26.
SEAT is also aiming to play a crucial part in the development of young racing talent for the future. Drivers are subjected to a complete personal development programme including sports psychology, media training, sponsorship and professional sports fitness and nutrition. The overall aim of the programme is to provide drivers with the necessary skills to become a professional, which these days is as much about off-track performance as it is on.
Mark McKenna said: "The Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship has been a phenomenal success for SEAT. We have sold twice as many Leon Cupra Rs as planned, our enquiry levels are at an all-time high and our sales are 24% higher in the first 6 months of the year, when the overall market is stable. And it is rewarding to watch the young racing drivers develop as they take part in the programme, becoming much more accomplished in front of the camera, and giving better value to their sponsors. I am convinced the knowledge and skills I gained during the Warwick MBA has allowed me to enter a new business arena of motorsport with confidence and a winning strategy."
Lisa Forbes, aged 22, graduated last week with a BSc in International Business. In March this year, she and her business partner set up a company, Blue Box Sailing, to provide access to high performance racing yachts to everyone regardless of age, gender, or experience. She and Jonathan Bradfield, also 22, bought Intrum Justitia, a 60-foot race yacht used in the Whitbread round the world yacht race, and capable of 25 knots - a real thoroughbred in sailing. They have re-named the boat Blueprint, and currently operate from Southampton.
Jonathan and Lisa met four years ago at their local sailing club near Reading. Jonathan now provides the sailing expertise, having completed his Yachtmaster and sailed 40,000 nautical miles over the past 4 years, while Lisa is rapidly putting into practice the business skills and knowledge she acquired at WBS.
Lisa said "So far it has been an immense learning curve, and it was difficult to juggle with being both a student and a sailor. I was even studying in minus 5 degrees on board in Sweden while waiting for the ice to melt so that we could sail back to the UK! Since then, we have enjoyed a successful launch. Our sailing trips range from a weekend in France to off-shore deep water adventure sailing voyages, and we have now nearly filled all our weekend day sails this summer."
Further information and contact details:
Mark McKenna, SEAT
Contact:
Tel: 01908 548074
ITV's programme Racing Rivals will focus on the drivers taking part in the Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship. Following the drivers at every round, the ITV crews are given unlimited access and will for the first time bring viewers unprecedented behind-the-scenes coverage of what really happens at a major motor racing series. One of the programmes will be broadcast live on August 3rd from the Rockingham circuit in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Website for SEAT: www.seat.co.uk
Website for Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship: www.seatcuprachampionship.com
Lisa Forbes, Blue Box Sailing
Contact:
Mobile: 07971 624 450
Email: info@blueboxsailing.com
Website: www.blueboxsailing.com
SCIENTISTS BOOST CAREERS WITH WARWICK MBA
Amongst the Warwick MBA graduates on Friday 11th July were three scientists who have taken their careers to new heights thanks to the Masters in Business Administration degree.
Paul Smith, from Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, is a genetics graduate who has worked in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry in the USA, Japan and the UK for the last 20 years. Paul collected his MBA degree certificate after three years studying part-time, two evenings per week and fitting the study in with his busy consultancy job.
"I have never regretted going straight into industry after my first degree rather than taking a PhD. Working in this industry I have learned so much about how major research can be put to practical use, and this has now been consolidated by the MBA. My belief is that scientists should consider doing MBAs as well as PhDs. This would help them learn to work with other professionals more effectively in order to translate excellent research into such vital applications as treatments for killer diseases."
"My MBA project allowed me to research the gap between biotechnology funding and pharmaceutical research and development, and as a result I am now helping local and international companies to bridge that gap. One local life science company, Bruker Optics in Coventry, has now gained much needed funding through a strategic alliance with Teraview, a biotechnology start-up in Cambridge."
"This is such a vibrant and exciting sector, and one in which I can now not only draw on my years of industry knowledge, but also the skills that I gained from my MBA to grow and develop young firms."
Tas Gohir, from Kings Heath in Birmingham, invested his own money and used all his paid holiday over four years to complete the Warwick MBA through modular study. At the time he was working in sales and business development in the biosciences industry.
"The fact that my then employer was not able to fund my studies or allow me study leave did not deter me. I was determined to do the Warwick MBA as a long-term investment in my own career. Having a degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology and a Masters in Biotechnology, I was keen to use my in-depth scientific knowledge within a commercially orientated career. Future success of the biotechnology industry will not only depend on technological breakthroughs but also on effective management in areas such as intellectual property."
"It was during one of the MBA modules - International Venture Capital Industry - that I was given the idea to evaluate commercialisation of research from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick itself. This became my final year project and has led to exciting opportunities for the future. I now work closely with Science Ventures, a firm specialising in commercialisation of technology from universities and other public research institutes."
"I am grateful to the Warwick MBA for challenging me into a new mind set. I have come away with much more than a qualification, I have a drive and a confidence to take my knowledge and skills as far as they can go."
Issy Duru has seen his career take off, from his first job as medical representative to his most recent promotion to regional business manager for the UK pharmaceutical and healthcare company Janssen-Cilag, part of Johnson & Johnson.
"I embarked on the MBA programme and in three years of the course I have been promoted twice and I am now in charge of a new and exciting division of the firm responsible for the launch of Evra, the world's first weekly contraceptive patch for busy women."
"I took the Warwick MBA through evening study, which suited me perfectly as I enjoyed the interaction twice a week with managers from other industries. When I received my latest promotion, it meant moving south from the Midlands to High Wycombe, to be closer to Head Office. This meant a 150-mile round trip to the Warwick campus twice a week. This came at the same time as a new baby and a year's worth of broken nights. Despite the set backs I completed the MBA successfully and am delighted with what it has delivered for me already."
MBA GRADUATES BALANCE FAMILY LIFE WITH STUDY PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS
Amongst the Warwick MBA students who graduated on Friday 11th July were two students who have juggled the demands of family life with studying for their Masters in Business Administration degree.
Bev Eldridge, from Goring-on-Thames in South Oxfordshire, previously worked for Natwest as an Economist in the City before moving to Germany with her husband's job. Bev collected her MBA degree certificate, for which she was awarded a Distinction, after studying through the distance learning MBA whenever she had a spare moment from looking after her two young children.
Bev said: "I have always had 'economist-type jobs' and people I worked with always put me in the box of an economist, which I wasn't happy with. The MBA enabled me to widen my opportunities. Taking the distance learning MBA was great for me as we were moving to Germany at the time, and with my first child just twelve months old I thought I'd have lots of spare time on my hands and be able to study, how very wrong I was!
"While studying for my MBA I was rushed to hospital when carrying my second child and had to stay there until she was born four months later, my son also became seriously ill and was in and out of hospital. I then I had to endure the move from Germany back to the UK. This meant that I had to defer my exams to the following year. I eventually went back to study in the year 2000. With my husband working long hours and the weekdays taken up caring for the children, weekends for us as a family were very precious. I usually ended up grabbing some study time between the hours of 10pm and 2am and survived on caffeine! I also had fantastic support from our parents who would take the children for days out and have them stay over for a few nights. It's amazing what study you can do when you only have a few hours. I had to be very motivated, but I found the course interesting and stimulating. The Warwick MBA allowed me the flexibility to study when I could and made it possible for me to complete the course successfully."
Frances O'Brien, lecturer in strategic management at WBS supervised Bev's management project and dissertation and was impressed by the outstanding quality of her work.
"Bev's dissertation was one of the best I have ever seen. The fact that she achieved this high standard of work despite having to complete it in fits and starts when time allowed is particularly commendable."
Bev concludes: "Now I have graduated I am spending the summer with my family and I am exploring the possibility of assisting with some research projects at WBS. Although I am now concentrating on bringing up my children, I can see myself going into teaching in the future. I'm sure I would find that rewarding and it will fit in with a busy family life, which remains my main priority."
Dermot Breslin, from Sheffield is a professional engineer for VAI, an engineering company supplying plant and equipment to the worldwide steel and aluminium industry. Dermot graduated with Distinction after studying for the MBA by distance learning.
"I chose distance learning because it meant that I could carry on working in a job I found very rewarding and it gave me the flexibility to study at home when it suited me. My son was one year old when I started the MBA and my wife was studying for a PhD and often spent time away from home. I managed to spend an average of two hours per night, five days a week studying. At the weekends my wife would study at home while I looked after the children. We managed to split the time and tasks between us and that way we both completed our studies successfully."
Dermot believes that management qualifications have an important role to play in developing engineers into general managers who can take a leading role in shaping the future of their industries.
"I strongly believe that British manufacturing and engineering has declined partly because it has been run by senior managers without any engineering background, who have often failed to understand the need for investment and innovation. I feel that a change in corporate philosophy and priorities is needed to recover from this decline. With my experience in engineering, I wanted to gain professional managerial training so that I could take part in and mould this recovery from within the industry."
"The MBA has changed the way I view business, from a technical perspective to a more holistic view. The Warwick MBA has taught me to look at a problem or opportunity from several viewpoints including the financial, the strategic and the shareholder perspective. Glaring business opportunities have started to jump out and reasons for strategic failure now become blatantly obvious. I hope this new acquired portfolio of skills will carry me into the next chapter of my career and life and help me shape the industry which I serve."
LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD - FOR THE FIFTH TIME
At this time of year, at colleges and universities all over the UK, there are many graduation successes, but for Kevin Richardson, graduating with an MBA from Warwick Business School (WBS) at the University of Warwick, this is becoming a regular occasion - for him it is the fifth time round.
Kevin already has a BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), an MSc in Mechatronics from the University of Hull, and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Warwick. He has now has succeeded in all the rigorous and arduous study required to gain a Warwick MBA from the highly-ranked WBS, graduating on 11th July 2003.
Dr Richardson was born in Coventry and attended Finham Park Comprehensive School. He left school at 16 to take a Craft Apprenticeship with the National Coal Board, based in Keresley. He is now Business Manager at Stafford-based ALSTOM Research and Technology Centre (ART), which sponsored Kevin's MBA.
Kevin said,
"Studying for an MBA by distance learning is particularly demanding as it requires between ten and twelve hours of effort per week. To succeed you need either an understanding family or a supportive employer. I was lucky, I had both".
Roger Clark, Managing Director of ART said, "The effective management of technology today calls for high levels of technical and commercial skill. The MBA has complemented Kevin's engineering expertise and has allowed him to contribute to setting and achieving ART's business objectives".
Nigel Cragg, Human Resources Director of T&D said, "The business environment facing ALSTOM T&D is becoming ever more dynamic and complex. Our continued success requires that we equip our staff with advanced business skills. We are pleased to have supported Kevin through his MBA studies, particularly at Warwick, and delighted that he has been able to apply the knowledge he has acquired so quickly."
TOP BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS AWARDED MARKETING PRIZE
Two top students from Warwick Business School (WBS), part of the University of Warwick, have been awarded prizes for their excellent work on marketing during their final year of study. Rachael Smith, aged 21, from Worcester, gained a First in BSc Management Sciences, and, Laura Tucker, aged 22, from Halesowen near Birmingham, gained an Upper Second in the 4-year BSc International Business degree.
Associate Dean for the WBS Undergraduate Programme Professor Mike Terry, and Course Tutor Dr Lyndon Simkin presented Rachael and Laura each with a cheque for £250 and a bottle of champagne, together with an engraved silver-plate tray, and a certificate detailing their success.
Rachael's prize is sponsored by Fujitsu Services; Fujitsu is the third largest IT services company in the world. Their Marketing Director in services marketing, Ian Hunter, who organised the sponsorship this year, coincidentally started his business career with a BSc in Management Sciences from Warwick Business School in 1982.
Rachael said "I am absolutely thrilled to receive the Best Marketing Student award. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Warwick and I am delighted to have gained this recognition. My grateful thanks go to WBS and the sponsors Fujitsu Services."
Rachael is hoping to commence a graduate training programme in marketing after travelling to South America to improve her Spanish and pursue her interest in restaurant and hotel management.
Laura's prize is for the best student in Marketing Communications; the John Wringe Challenge is awarded by the Sandom Group, based in Windsor. The Sandom Group's CEO, John Wringe, regularly returns to the Coventry area to deliver lectures to students at WBS.
Laura said "I am absolutely delighted to have received this award and would like to thank WBS and the Sandom Group for their generosity and support. I feel very privileged to have spent a highly enjoyable four years at WBS, and this award concludes a very happy and prestigious chapter in my life."
Laura is searching for a graduate position in marketing or marketing communications, and whilst continuing this search may take up an internship position overseas.
Professor Mike Terry, Associate Dean for the WBS Undergraduate Programme, said "WBS is indeed grateful to the sponsors of these awards; their recognition of the excellent work carried out by Rachael and Laura is proof of the top quality of our students, and their generous awards will help and benefit Rachael and Laura as they begin their professional careers."
WBS RUNS IN THE FAMILIES
At colleges and universities all over the UK this summer, there are many happy students graduating, but for two families from outside the UK, graduation ceremonies at the University of Warwick campus are an extra special occasion.
For the Steensland family from Oslo in Norway, this is the second time round at Warwick Business School (WBS) at the University of Warwick. Jan Steensland, father of Mona, graduated from WBS in 1980, taking a BSc in Management Sciences degree. Now, 23 years later, his 22-year-old daughter Mona graduated this week, also with a BSc in Management Sciences.
And from Cyprus, the Saphiris family are celebrating a brother and sister double act. First of all, brother Stellios achieved a First in BSc Accounting and Finance in 2000, then came back last year to WBS to commence studying for a Warwick MBA. He is now in the last stages of study, working on his project and dissertation at his home base of Nicosia, Cyprus.
However, he found time to break off from his studies and research to attend the graduation of younger sister Despina, aged 20, who is following in big brother's footsteps by also gaining a First in BSc Accounting and Finance.
Both Despina and Stellios are to work for KPMG in Nicosia after they have finished celebrating their success in the UK.
SPORT AND BUSINESS COMBINE FOR SUCCESS
Two students from Warwick Business School (WBS), part of the University of Warwick, have recently been using the skills and knowledge gained from their studies to promote their companies and careers along sporting lines, and with spectacular results:
Mark McKenna is Head of UK Marketing for the car firm SEAT. Mark graduated with a Warwick MBA last week, and used his MBA project to set up a new communications strategy to position the SEAT brand within the sporty image sector, through involving SEAT in UK motorsport. The huge success of Mark's project is proven by these results:
Lisa Forbes, aged 22, graduated last week with a BSc in International Business. In March this year, she and her business partner set up a company, Blue Box Sailing, to provide access to high performance racing yachts to everyone regardless of age, gender, or experience. She and Jonathan Bradfield, also 22, bought Intrum Justitia, a 60-foot race yacht used in the Whitbread round the world yacht race, and capable of 25 knots - a real thoroughbred in sailing. They have re-named the boat Blueprint, and currently operate from Southampton.
Jonathan and Lisa met four years ago at their local sailing club near Reading. Jonathan now provides the sailing expertise, having completed his Yachtmaster and sailed 40,000 nautical miles over the past 4 years, while Lisa is rapidly putting into practice the business skills and knowledge she acquired at WBS.
Lisa said "So far it has been an immense learning curve, and it was difficult to juggle with being both a student and a sailor. I was even studying in minus 5 degrees on board in Sweden while waiting for the ice to melt so that we could sail back to the UK! Since then, we have enjoyed a successful launch. Our sailing trips range from a weekend in France to off-shore deep water adventure sailing voyages, and we have now nearly filled all our weekend day sails this summer."
Further information and contact details:
Mark McKenna, SEAT
Contact:
Tel: 01908 548074
ITV's programme Racing Rivals will focus on the drivers taking part in the Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship. Following the drivers at every round, the ITV crews are given unlimited access and will for the first time bring viewers unprecedented behind-the-scenes coverage of what really happens at a major motor racing series. One of the programmes will be broadcast live on August 3rd from the Rockingham circuit in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Website for SEAT: www.seat.co.uk
Website for Holiday Inn SEAT Cupra Championship: www.seatcuprachampionship.com
Lisa Forbes, Blue Box Sailing
Contact:
Mobile: 07971 624 450
Email: info@blueboxsailing.com
Website: www.blueboxsailing.com
SCIENTISTS BOOST CAREERS WITH WARWICK MBA
Amongst the Warwick MBA graduates on Friday 11th July were three scientists who have taken their careers to new heights thanks to the Masters in Business Administration degree.
Paul Smith, from Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, is a genetics graduate who has worked in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry in the USA, Japan and the UK for the last 20 years. Paul collected his MBA degree certificate after three years studying part-time, two evenings per week and fitting the study in with his busy consultancy job.
"I have never regretted going straight into industry after my first degree rather than taking a PhD. Working in this industry I have learned so much about how major research can be put to practical use, and this has now been consolidated by the MBA. My belief is that scientists should consider doing MBAs as well as PhDs. This would help them learn to work with other professionals more effectively in order to translate excellent research into such vital applications as treatments for killer diseases."
"My MBA project allowed me to research the gap between biotechnology funding and pharmaceutical research and development, and as a result I am now helping local and international companies to bridge that gap. One local life science company, Bruker Optics in Coventry, has now gained much needed funding through a strategic alliance with Teraview, a biotechnology start-up in Cambridge."
"This is such a vibrant and exciting sector, and one in which I can now not only draw on my years of industry knowledge, but also the skills that I gained from my MBA to grow and develop young firms."
Tas Gohir, from Kings Heath in Birmingham, invested his own money and used all his paid holiday over four years to complete the Warwick MBA through modular study. At the time he was working in sales and business development in the biosciences industry.
"The fact that my then employer was not able to fund my studies or allow me study leave did not deter me. I was determined to do the Warwick MBA as a long-term investment in my own career. Having a degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology and a Masters in Biotechnology, I was keen to use my in-depth scientific knowledge within a commercially orientated career. Future success of the biotechnology industry will not only depend on technological breakthroughs but also on effective management in areas such as intellectual property."
"It was during one of the MBA modules - International Venture Capital Industry - that I was given the idea to evaluate commercialisation of research from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Warwick itself. This became my final year project and has led to exciting opportunities for the future. I now work closely with Science Ventures, a firm specialising in commercialisation of technology from universities and other public research institutes."
"I am grateful to the Warwick MBA for challenging me into a new mind set. I have come away with much more than a qualification, I have a drive and a confidence to take my knowledge and skills as far as they can go."
Issy Duru has seen his career take off, from his first job as medical representative to his most recent promotion to regional business manager for the UK pharmaceutical and healthcare company Janssen-Cilag, part of Johnson & Johnson.
"I embarked on the MBA programme and in three years of the course I have been promoted twice and I am now in charge of a new and exciting division of the firm responsible for the launch of Evra, the world's first weekly contraceptive patch for busy women."
"I took the Warwick MBA through evening study, which suited me perfectly as I enjoyed the interaction twice a week with managers from other industries. When I received my latest promotion, it meant moving south from the Midlands to High Wycombe, to be closer to Head Office. This meant a 150-mile round trip to the Warwick campus twice a week. This came at the same time as a new baby and a year's worth of broken nights. Despite the set backs I completed the MBA successfully and am delighted with what it has delivered for me already."
MBA GRADUATES BALANCE FAMILY LIFE WITH STUDY PASS WITH FLYING COLOURS
Amongst the Warwick MBA students who graduated on Friday 11th July were two students who have juggled the demands of family life with studying for their Masters in Business Administration degree.
Bev Eldridge, from Goring-on-Thames in South Oxfordshire, previously worked for Natwest as an Economist in the City before moving to Germany with her husband's job. Bev collected her MBA degree certificate, for which she was awarded a Distinction, after studying through the distance learning MBA whenever she had a spare moment from looking after her two young children.
Bev said: "I have always had 'economist-type jobs' and people I worked with always put me in the box of an economist, which I wasn't happy with. The MBA enabled me to widen my opportunities. Taking the distance learning MBA was great for me as we were moving to Germany at the time, and with my first child just twelve months old I thought I'd have lots of spare time on my hands and be able to study, how very wrong I was!
"While studying for my MBA I was rushed to hospital when carrying my second child and had to stay there until she was born four months later, my son also became seriously ill and was in and out of hospital. I then I had to endure the move from Germany back to the UK. This meant that I had to defer my exams to the following year. I eventually went back to study in the year 2000. With my husband working long hours and the weekdays taken up caring for the children, weekends for us as a family were very precious. I usually ended up grabbing some study time between the hours of 10pm and 2am and survived on caffeine! I also had fantastic support from our parents who would take the children for days out and have them stay over for a few nights. It's amazing what study you can do when you only have a few hours. I had to be very motivated, but I found the course interesting and stimulating. The Warwick MBA allowed me the flexibility to study when I could and made it possible for me to complete the course successfully."
Frances O'Brien, lecturer in strategic management at WBS supervised Bev's management project and dissertation and was impressed by the outstanding quality of her work.
"Bev's dissertation was one of the best I have ever seen. The fact that she achieved this high standard of work despite having to complete it in fits and starts when time allowed is particularly commendable."
Bev concludes: "Now I have graduated I am spending the summer with my family and I am exploring the possibility of assisting with some research projects at WBS. Although I am now concentrating on bringing up my children, I can see myself going into teaching in the future. I'm sure I would find that rewarding and it will fit in with a busy family life, which remains my main priority."
Dermot Breslin, from Sheffield is a professional engineer for VAI, an engineering company supplying plant and equipment to the worldwide steel and aluminium industry. Dermot graduated with Distinction after studying for the MBA by distance learning.
"I chose distance learning because it meant that I could carry on working in a job I found very rewarding and it gave me the flexibility to study at home when it suited me. My son was one year old when I started the MBA and my wife was studying for a PhD and often spent time away from home. I managed to spend an average of two hours per night, five days a week studying. At the weekends my wife would study at home while I looked after the children. We managed to split the time and tasks between us and that way we both completed our studies successfully."
Dermot believes that management qualifications have an important role to play in developing engineers into general managers who can take a leading role in shaping the future of their industries.
"I strongly believe that British manufacturing and engineering has declined partly because it has been run by senior managers without any engineering background, who have often failed to understand the need for investment and innovation. I feel that a change in corporate philosophy and priorities is needed to recover from this decline. With my experience in engineering, I wanted to gain professional managerial training so that I could take part in and mould this recovery from within the industry."
"The MBA has changed the way I view business, from a technical perspective to a more holistic view. The Warwick MBA has taught me to look at a problem or opportunity from several viewpoints including the financial, the strategic and the shareholder perspective. Glaring business opportunities have started to jump out and reasons for strategic failure now become blatantly obvious. I hope this new acquired portfolio of skills will carry me into the next chapter of my career and life and help me shape the industry which I serve."
LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD - FOR THE FIFTH TIME
At this time of year, at colleges and universities all over the UK, there are many graduation successes, but for Kevin Richardson, graduating with an MBA from Warwick Business School (WBS) at the University of Warwick, this is becoming a regular occasion - for him it is the fifth time round.
Kevin already has a BSc and MSc in Electrical Engineering from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), an MSc in Mechatronics from the University of Hull, and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Warwick. He has now has succeeded in all the rigorous and arduous study required to gain a Warwick MBA from the highly-ranked WBS, graduating on 11th July 2003.
Dr Richardson was born in Coventry and attended Finham Park Comprehensive School. He left school at 16 to take a Craft Apprenticeship with the National Coal Board, based in Keresley. He is now Business Manager at Stafford-based ALSTOM Research and Technology Centre (ART), which sponsored Kevin's MBA.
Kevin said,
"Studying for an MBA by distance learning is particularly demanding as it requires between ten and twelve hours of effort per week. To succeed you need either an understanding family or a supportive employer. I was lucky, I had both".
Roger Clark, Managing Director of ART said, "The effective management of technology today calls for high levels of technical and commercial skill. The MBA has complemented Kevin's engineering expertise and has allowed him to contribute to setting and achieving ART's business objectives".
Nigel Cragg, Human Resources Director of T&D said, "The business environment facing ALSTOM T&D is becoming ever more dynamic and complex. Our continued success requires that we equip our staff with advanced business skills. We are pleased to have supported Kevin through his MBA studies, particularly at Warwick, and delighted that he has been able to apply the knowledge he has acquired so quickly."
TOP BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS AWARDED MARKETING PRIZE
Two top students from Warwick Business School (WBS), part of the University of Warwick, have been awarded prizes for their excellent work on marketing during their final year of study. Rachael Smith, aged 21, from Worcester, gained a First in BSc Management Sciences, and, Laura Tucker, aged 22, from Halesowen near Birmingham, gained an Upper Second in the 4-year BSc International Business degree.
Associate Dean for the WBS Undergraduate Programme Professor Mike Terry, and Course Tutor Dr Lyndon Simkin presented Rachael and Laura each with a cheque for £250 and a bottle of champagne, together with an engraved silver-plate tray, and a certificate detailing their success.
Rachael's prize is sponsored by Fujitsu Services; Fujitsu is the third largest IT services company in the world. Their Marketing Director in services marketing, Ian Hunter, who organised the sponsorship this year, coincidentally started his business career with a BSc in Management Sciences from Warwick Business School in 1982.
Rachael said "I am absolutely thrilled to receive the Best Marketing Student award. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Warwick and I am delighted to have gained this recognition. My grateful thanks go to WBS and the sponsors Fujitsu Services."
Rachael is hoping to commence a graduate training programme in marketing after travelling to South America to improve her Spanish and pursue her interest in restaurant and hotel management.
Laura's prize is for the best student in Marketing Communications; the John Wringe Challenge is awarded by the Sandom Group, based in Windsor. The Sandom Group's CEO, John Wringe, regularly returns to the Coventry area to deliver lectures to students at WBS.
Laura said "I am absolutely delighted to have received this award and would like to thank WBS and the Sandom Group for their generosity and support. I feel very privileged to have spent a highly enjoyable four years at WBS, and this award concludes a very happy and prestigious chapter in my life."
Laura is searching for a graduate position in marketing or marketing communications, and whilst continuing this search may take up an internship position overseas.
Professor Mike Terry, Associate Dean for the WBS Undergraduate Programme, said "WBS is indeed grateful to the sponsors of these awards; their recognition of the excellent work carried out by Rachael and Laura is proof of the top quality of our students, and their generous awards will help and benefit Rachael and Laura as they begin their professional careers."
WBS RUNS IN THE FAMILIES
At colleges and universities all over the UK this summer, there are many happy students graduating, but for two families from outside the UK, graduation ceremonies at the University of Warwick campus are an extra special occasion.
For the Steensland family from Oslo in Norway, this is the second time round at Warwick Business School (WBS) at the University of Warwick. Jan Steensland, father of Mona, graduated from WBS in 1980, taking a BSc in Management Sciences degree. Now, 23 years later, his 22-year-old daughter Mona graduated this week, also with a BSc in Management Sciences.
And from Cyprus, the Saphiris family are celebrating a brother and sister double act. First of all, brother Stellios achieved a First in BSc Accounting and Finance in 2000, then came back last year to WBS to commence studying for a Warwick MBA. He is now in the last stages of study, working on his project and dissertation at his home base of Nicosia, Cyprus.
However, he found time to break off from his studies and research to attend the graduation of younger sister Despina, aged 20, who is following in big brother's footsteps by also gaining a First in BSc Accounting and Finance.
Both Despina and Stellios are to work for KPMG in Nicosia after they have finished celebrating their success in the UK.
One of Europe's largest business schools and the largest department of the highly-rated University of Warwick, WBS is fully accredited.
Our teaching is rated excellent and 75 percent of our research is rated at 3* and above, placing us 3rd in the UK.
Over 8,000 students from 130 countries currently study here.
Their interaction with top faculty creates a multicultural learning environment, enhanced by outstanding teaching and study facilities and a top-quality campus.
Our teaching covers the full range of business education, from undergraduate and masters degrees to the Warwick MBA, doctoral research, and executive education.