AGSM's Global Alumni Network

AUTHOR: Marie Kelly   DATE: 14.09.05   ISSUE 2, 2005

The global breadth of AGSM’s alumni network was underlined recently at two functions held in London and Singapore.

AGSM Professor of Marketing, John Roberts, made presentations at both events, and says he enjoyed seeing how alumni had spread their influence through the international business community.

“I think the alumni network is particularly important to a global business school, and you can’t really be a global school without these international links,” Professor Roberts said.

“AGSM does a good job of attracting people from all over the world."

ILLUSTRATION: Gregory Baldwin

“We have to be energetic about getting out there, and these two functions show that we can do a good job at it.”

At the London event, held in late June at Australia House on the Strand, the focus was on one of Professor Roberts’ areas of particular expertise – the measuring of marketing performance.

“It was really nice to have the alumni mix with the prospective students, because I think it gave them a much better idea of the School and the power of our network.” Professor John Roberts

After Professor Roberts’ presentation, AGSM alumnus Peter Burdon – who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of UK confectionery producer Thorntons - talked about his achievement in turning around the company since his appointment five years ago.

Appointed as chief executive in 2000, Burdon came to Thorntons after a career with Esso, followed by six years at consultancy McKinsey and six years at UK chain Boots The Chemist.

Burdon has been largely credited with changes to Thorntons’ marketing mix and cost reduction measures which have driven rises in sales and profits, and delivered a doubling in the company’s share price.

“Peter gave a terrific presentation about what it took to turn the company around,” said Professor Roberts.

AGSM alumnus Peter Burdon – who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of UK confectionery producer Thorntons - talked about his achievement in turning around the company since his appointment five years ago.

“He’d taken it over when it was a real mess and it was great to hear about what he had done in some detail.”

The event was attended by 10 alumni, and prospective AGSM students.“It was really nice to have the alumni mix with the prospective students, because I think it gave them a much better idea of the School and the power of our network,” said Professor Roberts.

“AGSM does a good job of attracting people from all over the world and we do have a lot of British students, who want a top MBA qualification and are attracted to the idea of living and studying in a great place like Sydney.”

In Singapore, the function was jointly held by AGSM and the University of NSW Faculty of Commerce.

“We had Commerce Graduates, AGSM alumni and in fact graduates from other UNSW faculties as well,” said Professor Roberts.

“UNSW is about to set up a Singapore campus so the timing was terrific.”

Professor Roberts said both of AGSM’s parent universities – UNSW and the University of Sydney – were well known in Singapore, and the city-state had long been a source of AGSM students.

“We have some very good alumni in Singapore, and we’ve had students coming from there for a long time,” he said.