Where are you doing now?
I am the Finance Director of Better2Know (which I also part own), the UK's largest private provider of sexual health testing services.
How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals / give your career an edge?
This masters degree definitely helps. We stand out against other qualified accountants. It can be hard to demonstrate on paper why you are better than other accountants, and having a degree in Law is a real asset, and has helped me to go further.
What was the best thing about your course?
I did my course by distance learning. This was really flexible so that I could successfully complete the course around my demanding full-time job.
Who inspired you the most, and why?
My tutor for my dissertation was a great inspiration. She really helped me to organise my thoughts and to think more like a lawyer. I wish I had had her guidance earlier in the programme!
Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now/throughout your career?
I did a course in Company Law, which I use a lot to make sure that I am keeping my business in line with regulations and without needing to engage a corporate lawyer to do it for me.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?
As a distance learning student I had a very different relationship with the University than I did for my first degree. I enjoyed the pleasure of study and being able to immerse myself in something that I had chosen to do. Not the answer I would give about my undergraduate degree!
What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of studying at Northumbria?
Speak to other students on the course you want to do and ask them. Ask the university team about what people go on to do after graduation to see if that sounds like you.
How would you describe your time at Northumbria in 3 words?
rewarding, thought-provoking, happy.
