I was a business school student in the 90s. I was lucky enough to live in Italy and start my higher education in an innovative way whereby I was studying a Business Degree whilst spending time travelling to many different countries. I studied in Italy, the UK and the USA and had three Internships. One of those was on a Caribbean Island at the Ministry of Tourism, another one at an Italian national television news station and another at a European Film festival in Italy. These were incredible opportunities that I am very grateful for.
My studies were expensive and coming from a regular income family, I worked at the same time to be able to pay for my studies and all my travelling. With no student loans available at that time paying for higher education fell to students and their families. I was young and, being extremely motivated, I found a way to manage work whilst being always on the move.
This experience has undoubtedly shaped me into who I am today. I was able to be curious, to see the world and try to understand it, whilst getting to know myself better, learning from different cultures and from different people. I know that I will never stop travelling or learning.
My life after my studies took me to other parts of the globe where my career continued, always with an international flavour – London, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Italy, Germany. For the last few years, I have been based in London.
I am a senior business professional specialising in higher education and I have continued to develop this career path throughout the years. My time as a student shaped my life and who I am today, and developed my passion for the sector. I believe that education is what shapes new generations and therefore the future of our collective nations.
My current role is about ensuring that The University of Law can prosper, expand, diversify, grow and internationalise. It is important that we look to the future, stay agile and adapt, with our students always at the centre of every strategic decision we take.
I didn’t really sit down and plan my career. My key driver has always been the will to learn about myself through the understanding of others in different settings, allowing me to look at life through a different lens. The other key driver is my passion for education.
I have always been ambitious, accepted challenges and taken the opportunity when doors opened. Importantly, I also have always looked to make opportunities for myself.
Yes, there are always challenges. I believe that challenges are there to allow growth and understanding and there is always a solution that can be found.
My biggest challenge, but at the same time my biggest interest, has always been to move from one system and culture into another. When I moved to Asia, the difference was immense, as were the challenges: the mindset was different; the expectations and the rules were different; and the approach to life. It was challenging but it is also extremely interesting. It taught me take time to listen, understand, adapt and learn. I’ve always found steep learning curves to always be worthwhile and rewarding.
I believe my biggest achievements have been setting up a business school in Singapore that is still flourishing and in my current role at The University of Law. The University has seen incredible growth, doubling in size in five years whilst keeping our quality metrics intact. This is something I am incredibly proud of. We have also diversified by creating a business school and moved into the international education space with a campus in Hong Kong and business school courses in Germany. It has been exciting to be part of this growth and success.
Without a doubt, the formula for me has always been to bet on good people and allow talent to flourish around me and along with me. The key to success is the people within an organisation and I have always been lucky to find many talented colleagues in my ventures.
I’m not currently mentoring anyone, but I would love to. I believe it is a key responsibility for business leaders to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of business professionals. Whilst I have not been formally mentored myself, I have benefitted immensely throughout my career from the advice and support from other leaders whom I have admired.
I think we should continue to campaign to ensure women and men get the same remuneration for equal roles as sadly that is not the case in all sectors. We should continue to ensure that a good ratio of men and women are employed at all organisations levels. Flexible working also allows families to thrive, with women often being the sole caretakers of children. The University of Law promotes a flexible working culture allowing our staff to have a better work/life balance and enjoy time with their family.
I would advise my younger self to be less insecure and to keep a better work/life balance.
My next challenge is to ensure that we as a University dedicate more time to understanding what the jobs of the future will look like as that will shape us as an institution. This will allow us to prepare students in the most relevant way according to the world and culture around us. During the pandemic especially, the job landscape has changed dramatically, so we as educators need to be ready and ahead of the curve.
I firmly believe that the right education is pivotal for the future of the world.
July
24/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Heston Hyde Hotel
N Hyde Ln, Hounslow TW5 0EP
International Conference on Leadership Entrepreneurship and Business Management (ICLEBM – 2025) will be held in London,UK during 24th Jul 2025
ICLEBM will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and a result in International Conference on Leadership Entrepreneurship and Business Management. The aim of the Conference is to provide a platform to the researchers and practitioners from both academia as well as industry to share cutting-edge development in the field.
. The Proceeding will be archived in the Digital Library.
. Each Paper will be assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) from CROSSREF.
. The Proceeding will be submitted to ISI Thomson for review and indexing.
. Proceedings will be published in International Journals with ISSN Numbers.
26julAll DayTessy's Brunches Presents: Engage HER
26/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Stanley Stephenson Lounge
Crystal Palace Football Club, Holmesdale Road, London, SE25 6PU
Engage Her – July 26, 2025 Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive
Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community of women. Through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions, attendees will have the chance to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow together. This event aims to create a welcoming environment where women can support each other in their personal and professional journeys.
Highlights:
• Engaging workshops and interactive sessions encouraging active participation.
• Networking opportunities to expand personal and professional connections.
• Panel discussions with industry leaders sharing insights and experiences.
• Community-building activities to foster lasting relationships.
Mark your calendars for Engage Her on July 26, 2025, a vibrant event designed to connect and inspire women. Participate in interactive workshops, network with like-minded individuals, and join discussions with industry leaders. Build meaningful relationships and grow within a supportive community. Engage Her is your opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive together. Don’t miss out—register now!
Indulge in a sumptuous spread of delicious treats crafted to tantalize your taste buds.
Tickets are available for £50 and the event is open to all women. Let’s come together and support each other as we navigate the challenges of life. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tessy’s Brunches (www.tessysbrunches) is dedicated to creating a platform where unseen women become visible through networking and mentoring opportunities. Our mission is not only about recognising women but understanding and addressing their unique challenges.
Our aims are rooted in three core principles: Empower, Engage, and Elevate. We seek to empower women by inspiring personal growth and self-discovery. We aim to engage by fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community. Finally, we strive to elevate by enhancing professional development and personal fulfilment. Through these pillars, we are dedicated to helping women overcome barriers, realize their potential, and achieve both personal and professional success.
#TessysBrunches #WomenPower #CelebrateWomen #InspiringChange #EmpowerHER #EngageHER #ElevateHER