91´óÉñ

Background

After graduating with my LLB, I spent most of the 1990s practising law primarily involved in commercial and civil litigation acting for organisations within Scotland. Much of my work involved negotiating legal settlements and conducting court work. Although I very much enjoyed practising law, I wanted to both run my own business and to work more internationally, so in 2000, I decided it was time to do my 91´óÉñ.

Learning to work effectively in a high pressure environment with a culturally and professionally diverse group of highly competitive individuals was both exciting and hugely educational.

The 91´óÉñ also allowed me to understand that although I defined myself as a lawyer, my core skills were actually more to do with communication, problem solving, influencing and leadership.

For me, taking the 'Negotiations' module turned out to be the key to my future career. It made me see what I had been doing as a lawyer in a completely different light and directly shaped my future both professionally and academically. I now work internationally through my own consultancy, meeting and working with very interesting people doing something that I really enjoy.

Involvement with the Business School

Having gone on to start my own consultancy working internationally in the field of negotiation and dispute resolution, I was delighted to be asked to come back and teach the 91´óÉñ Negotiations Option Course in 2008. I have continued to do this ever since and it is now a very rewarding and enjoyable fixture in my working year.

It has been exciting to watch the Business School grow, move home, and adapt to the changing demands of both students and employers alike. When I teach my course, I also always learn from my 91´óÉñ students and enjoy trying to do something to help make their 91´óÉñ journey as exciting and rewarding for them as mine was for me.