Alumni

Will McLean

Career Path: Credera UK - Agile Lead
Location: Newcastle, UK

I worked for the Great North Run as a Student volunteer throughout my degree and the experiences I gained there fuelled the desire to pursue Event Management as a career. I spent the next 10 years working across a variety of events in various sectors and formats gaining hugely valuable skills and experiences travelling the length and breadth of the country. I've developed into an experienced agile delivery manager and leader in the last 6 years working primarily in the public sector with Central Government (MoD and DWP) and most recently Local Government as Head of Digital Delivery at Northumberland County Council.

What are you doing now?:

I am currently Head of Digital Delivery at Northumberland County Council leading and building the delivery capability within Information Services. I am helping the organisation modernise their approach to digital delivery and embedding principles and processes to allow informed prioritisation of work as well as understand the benefits of an iterative delivery approach to digital products with user needs at the heart of everything we do.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?:

I wanted to be based in the North East. Newcastle was a hugely vibrant city and option for Students back in 2001 (and of course still is). Whilst I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do in the long term the highly reputable Newcastle Business School at Northumbria offered a suitable course that also allowed for a year abroad and in industry which helped contribute hugely towards my fluency in Spanish. I was a keen hockey player too and made many friendships and connections through the local leagues at the weekends. That prompted me joining Morpeth Hockey Club when I graduated which was a huge part of my reason to stay in the North East.

What was it like studying at Northumbria? (eg. were there a mix of lectures, seminars, team projects? Was the feedback constructive?):

Studying was largely lecture led with some smaller study groups. It was all on campus back in 2001. It was a whole world away from what I suspect studying is like now in 2022!

How connected was your course with industry? (eg. did you have a placement, work on projects? were there interesting guest lectures?):

I went to Spain as an Erasmus student. There wasn't a fantastic connection with industry out there but there was a suitable alternative in terms of writing a thesis on a local business as opposed to spend 6 months working in one.

If you took on a placement during your course how did you feel this helped you in your career/ with your studies?:

My year in Spain was one of the highlights of my studies. I learned so much crucial experiences about the Spanish speaking world and continue to speak Spanish to this day.

What was the best thing about your course?:

The variety of modules available, the people on it, the location to study it, the resources available to support it and the opportunities with the year in industry too.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?:

I was passionate about the North East and staying in the North East which gave me an advantage as many of my left Newcastle for jobs in London and elsewhere.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?:

A lot of the basic principles of business management are still prevalent today. My career however has taken quite the pivot from business management towards IT software delivery, so its difficult to pin point much more.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?:

The vibrancy of Newcastle, the variety and diversity of friendships made, the access to fantastic sporting facilities which also played a heavy part in my decision to stay in Newcastle.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?:

If it is anything like it was back in 2001 I would jump at the opportunity. It is a fantastic chance to be part of a huge community of students, in a fantastic location with superb facilities.