A little bit about me

I did my undergrad in Engineering at a top-five UK institution, graduating in 2007—which, yes, feels like another lifetime. Right out of uni, I dove headfirst into Investment Banking, landing a role at one of the biggest firms in the world. But within a year, it was painfully obvious: this wasn’t my scene. The chaos of 2007-2008—arguably the Wild West of investment banking—only cemented my decision to get the hell out.

So, I walked. Perfect timing, too, because not long after, the firm I had worked for was all over international headlines… for all the wrong reasons. (For the record, I was long gone before the flames hit.)

From there, I found my rhythm in corporate communications, branding, and PR. I spent the next decade in business development at one of the world’s largest engineering firms before shifting gears into branding, PR, and process outsourcing for top luxury lifestyle and travel brands. Basically, I helped these brands go global—and look damn good doing it.

Then came the late 2010s, and a few of us decided to stir the pot. We launched the first luxury travel network in the Indian Ocean region, rebranding entire destinations and working directly with tourist boards to reshape their global image. One day, I’d be in high-level meetings with world leaders; the next, I’d be swapping stories with local tour guides who knew the land better than any strategist ever could. That mix of perspectives? Invaluable. We even became launch partners for the world’s top AR/VR firm, rolling out immersive campaigns in hospitality before that tech was even mainstream.

And because one business wasn’t enough, I co-own a tech recruitment firm that connects Silicon Valley startups (and some of the big players) with top-tier talent. Given the economic rollercoaster of the past few years, let’s just say it’s been interesting.

But after 15 years in the corporate grind? Burnout hit hard. My wife—who had been killing it in the C-suite at a major ad agency—felt the same. So, when the opportunity to hit pause and dive into a PhD program came up, we took it. No regrets.

These days, whether I’m teaching, advising, or just talking shop, I bring real-world business experience to the table. And having spent years in recruitment, I’ve got a unique perspective on graduate and MBA programs—not just from an applicant’s lens, but from the people actually making the hiring decisions.