Alumni

Neil Baskerville

Career Path: Co-Founder, Satori Consultancy (MUR) Ltd.
Location: Leamington Spa, UK

I took gap year overseas in 1988 and then worked locally for four years in sales. In 1994 I moved abroad until 2012 to Hong Kong and South Africa. Now I am Co-Founder of my own international financial consultancy practice, Satori Consultancy Ltd.

What are you doing now?

I am currently raising funds from international intermediaries into our funds and international platform with approximately $120 million under management. I travel around five months of the year to Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

I had heard great reviews about the course in Newcastle, the city and the entire student experience - it was a life-affirming two years.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

There was a nice mix of practical and academic courses and lectures. The market research project and core marketing projects were all off-site with practical benefits such as negotiation skills, presentation lectures and use of video - all of which, looking back, helped directly with work which is unusual.

How connected was your course with industry?

It helped with sales for sure, an awareness of basic economics and law provided a groundwork for going into financial services.

If you took on a placement during your course how did you feel this helped you in your career/ with your studies?

I didn’t but would have welcomed it. Two years was too short and I would have loved a middle year placement in industry.

What was the best thing about your course?

The variety of lessons in law, economics, marketing, behavioural marketing, IT and sales - the mix of venue and the sheer practicality and relevance of it in terms of working day life.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

The whole going to a new university experience which along with my gap year straight afterwards had a huge impact. I knew after my course I wanted to work in sales and this has just gone on from there.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

The whole compliment of business skills from the course such as sales skills, presentation skills, creativity behind marketing, basic understanding of IT, etc. - no one thing just a combination of all.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

The city without question - show me a better place to study in the world. The closeness of the city to the campus and the compactness of the campus were all life-affirming.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

Throw yourself into as much of University life as you can - debate, play sport, get on committees, live every day like your last. 30 years on it’s still the most fun and rewarding two years of my life.