Alumni

Anthony Tabone

After graduating from what was then Newcastle Polytechnic I was appointed General Manager Marketing at Malta's only Brewery, a position I held between 1978 and 1989. In 1990 I was offered the post of Managing Director of one of the Group's subsidiaries - a leading importer of fine wines and spirits, food and non-alcoholic beverages. In 2001 I was appointed Deputy CEO of the Farsons Group, a position I held up to my retirement in 2010.

I was retained as a business consultant with the Group up to 2016. In 2000 I was appointed by Government for a three year term as Chairman of the Public Broadcasting Services, the national radio and television station in Malta, and in 2010 I was appointed in the constitutional role of Chairman of the Malta Broadcasting Authority, the regulator for broadcasting in Malta. Between 2005 and 2015 I served as member of the Council of the University of Malta.

What are you doing now?

I now have my own consultancy providing management and marketing support mainly to SME's. A branch of the consultancy also provides events and meetings organisation - mainly for EU agencies and institutions.

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

I came to Northumbria University as a mature student and at the time it was regarded as one of the leading academic institutions in Marketing Studies in the UK. Marketing discipline was still in its early days and there was no relevant courses available in Malta or in any English speaking countries. I opted for Newcastle although I had been accepted at other Polytechnics and Universities in UK because I liked the area and I could readily find accommodation for myself and my family.

How connected was your course with industry?

We worked on a small project in conjunction with P&G.

What was the best thing about your course?

Although I was a bit apprehensive taking on the course as a mature student, I was amazed at the personal attention given to me by the tutors and lectures. The students came from a number of countries and backgrounds. The course content was varied and it was a great satisfaction for me obtaining the top place in the course and a distinction in Market Research.

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

The course provided me with a formal qualification in the discipline that I was working in and led me to keep on advancing in my career path.

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

Marketing and research were the two areas which I made use of throughout my career.

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

The quality of the teaching and the available resources for research as well as the general atmosphere.

What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of studying at Northumbria?

I strongly recommend anyone who is considering furthering his/her studies even as a mature student to go for it. Northumbria provides a congenial environment for studying and conviviality.