Alumni Profiles

Andrew Carruthers

It was a particularly draining 48 hour session working as a solicitor for a major Sydney law firm that convinced Andrew Carruthers he needed to look at a career change. Andrew chose to study full time for his MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management and make the transition into a management role which might offer him improved work/life balance, as well as new challenges. Andrew felt that the course offered new concepts, and the requirement to change his thinking in some areas. He particularly enjoyed the marketing units, and after graduation in 1986, joined IBM in a marketing role. After IBM he made the move into finance, taking a marketing and product management role at Westpac, followed six years later by the move to HSBC. 'As HSBC is relatively small with fewer layers of management compared to the major local banks, you are closer to customers and decisions are made more swiftly' explains Andrew, 'plus, with the size of HSBC internationally there are opportunities to work on global initiatives, and to travel and work in different cultures'. Andrew's current role as Head of HSBC Premier is all encompassing, allowing him to touch on several different areas in his daily work life. 'I really use the tools I was introduced to as an MBA student' he explains. Andrew has kept in touch with several classmates, and retains a keen interest in AGSM MBA programs and the University. Read More on the HSBC Alumni Affinity Program.

Ron Knight

Ron Knight gained an MBA from UNSW in 1974 when the Australian Graduate School of Management was still in the planning stage.

'There have been massive changes in the business environment due to the speed of communication and the amount of information available on the internet, but fundamentally an MBA still serves the same purposes as it did 30 years ago' argues Ron. 'I studied part time over three years, as MBA (Exec) students do now. We learned in syndicate groups, and we juggled study, work and home lives. Working under the pressure of weekly deadlines prepared me to respond successfully to the pressures I experienced a few years later as an Australian diplomat in the USA.'

Ron started his career as a scientist and still chose the MBA program at UNSW to develop business management skills. MBA programs were relatively new in Australia, and Ron was looking for an MBA. 'I felt a people-orientated approach with behavioural science and organisational theory would help me better to make the transition to management.'

A common desire to make a transition from a technical position to management, plus lots of people chemistry, helped draw together the members of the syndicate Ron joined into a very effective working group. Subsequently each member of the group used his MBA to move successfully in a new career direction.

During the MBA Ron moved into R & D management, and soon after graduating was offered a posting as an Australian diplomat to the USA and Canada to work in the fields of atomic energy and nuclear non-proliferation. A lead role in an international energy technology assessment project involving government-to-government meetings in Asia, Europe and the USA followed. Ron then took up a research management position in CSIRO.

In 1987, with his wife Marjorie Anderson, Ron formed the Anderson Knight strategic marketing and public relations consultancy which has now operated for more than 20 years. 'Initially we did lots of work with venture capitalists and start-up technology-based businesses,' said Ron to explain this initiative. 'Now we help all types of organisations with strategic marketing based on an objective perspective of their business. The knowledge and skills I gained through the MBA have been invaluable. The MBA gave me a sound understanding of business, it improved my analytical skills and I learned to communicate much more effectively.'

Ron and his fellow syndicate members from the class of 1974 have kept in touch. They have met for lunch at least once a year since graduation to catch up.S

Graduation May 1974 (from L - R): Paul Keene, Ron Knight, Tony Keenan, James Doak, Brian de Boos & Alex Davidoff

Juliet Wolfe

Juliet Wolfe (EMBA 1999) is the new President of the AGSM Alumni Advisory Board, selected for this important leadership role on the basis of her high level of skills and experience plus her demonstrated commitment to the needs of both AGSM alumni and the Australian School of Business.

Juliet drifted away from engagement with AGSM alumni activities immediately after graduating. Transitioning from a global strategy and operational role in financial services to a national business development role at Freehills had been demanding, and involved a lot of travel. However, curious to find out how her fellow graduates had been getting on, Juliet attended a five year reunion for her year. At the event Alumni Mentor program Coordinator Denise Weinreis convinced her that her skills and experience would be valuable to current EY students and she signed up to become a mentor.

This positive experience in the mentor program in both Sydney and Melbourne, plus involvement on the committee of the Melbourne AGSM alumni branch resulted eventually in a place on the AGSM Alumni Advisory Board, and on 5 March 2008, to Presidency of the Board.

Juliet is now based in Sydney, and is working as Major Client Manager for Sinclair Knight Merz, as well as leading the Board. ‘This is undoubtedly a new era for the AGSM alumni community’ she explains. ‘We are now part of the Australian School of Business, and we are in a position to realise a lot of the benefits that come with that, as well as making sure we continue to act as a voice for the AGSM alumni community and focus on AGSM alumni needs.’

Juliet is keen to see AGSM alumni nominating themselves or others to positions on the AGSM Alumni Advisory Board. You can send a message to Juliet at PresidentAGSMalumni@unsw.edu.au.

Philip Sanders

A certified management consultant and chartered engineer, Philip Sanders (EMBA 2002) has been Principal of Building Knowledge Pty Ltd for four years and has worked in construction for over twenty years. Building Knowledge Pty Ltd is a management consultancy providing business strategy, knowledge management and process improvement advice to the construction industry. Throughout Philip’s career, he has found an ongoing need to use negotiation skills in a variety of situations. “However, in this case I faced a unique challenge - I was engaged to advise my client during the negotiation of a multi-million dollar contract that was the largest they had ever negotiated. The negotiations were incredibly important for them - I needed to ensure they won the contract on favourable terms whilst maintaining good relations with their client,” says Philip. To gain additional perspective, Philip enrolled in AGSM Executive Programs’ Strategic Negotiation and Business Contracts. He says that the program appealed to him “because of AGSM Executive Program’s reputation as an executive education provider that balances the latest business theory with practical implementation.”

“I had previously completed an executive MBA at AGSM MBA programs and had formed good relationships with the program directors within the School. I was confident that I could extend my learning and get a lot of value out of completing a short program.”

“The Strategic Negotiation and Business Contracts program was very well structured for people who need to deal with contracts and negotiation within their roles. It provided a broad view of the latest thinking on negotiation, identified gaps in my knowledge and gave me an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of my natural negotiation style.”

The program focuses on developing participants’ competencies in negotiation and risk management.

“Role-playing in exercises that mirrored typical negotiation situations in a safe and confidential setting was incredibly effective as a means of internalising new lessons,” Philip says.

“I came away with new perspectives to apply in negotiation. I now approach each negotiation focusing on increasing value for both parties and I clearly see how different approaches can impact final outcomes.”

Philip believes that the course has been instrumental in generating change within his business.

“As a result of the program our business has also undergone a cultural change. Our negotiations for our client went extremely well. In particular taking a more patient, structured approach took a little longer, yet allowed us to present new options that delivered greater value for both parties, and we have followed this methodology successfully in a number of subsequent negotiations.

I would strongly recommend this program to others who are either established negotiators looking to refresh their negotiation skills, or new managers facing negotiation challenges for the first time.”

“Even if you have previously completed an MBA, Executive Programs are a great way to develop specific skills and top up your MBA knowledge.”