What brought you to Edinburgh Napier?
I have always had an interest in reading and in books. In the 1970s Edinburgh Napier was only one of two places in the UK offering a course in publishing, and at the time, publishing was the career I wanted to get into. I graduated in 1978.
Tell us about your career journey from your first graduate job to where you are now.
My first job was in London as a sub-editor working on partworks (specialist publications people subscribed to every week e.g. The Story of Pop, Cordon Bleu Cookery, Weapons and Warfare, etc.) and magazines. I eventually ended up as managing editor of books when Robert Maxwell took over the company. We didn’t see eye to eye and I would like to say I resigned, but he sacked me!
Since then I have co-founded two publishing companies and spent a very enjoyable few years as Editorial Director with David & Charles in Devon and Publishing Director at Lochar Publishing in Scotland. I have been very lucky to work with some brilliant authors, artists and photographers on some fantastic books.
In the 1990s my career took a dramatic change of direction. While at David & Charles, the company brought in a consultant/coach from a company called Coverdale to work with the board, and we were sent on a 5 day workshop. I was extremely impressed by them and kept in touch with my coach after I moved on from David & Charles. During one of our catch up calls he asked me if I had ever thought of doing the kind of work he did. I hadn’t but the call coincided with very difficult times at the company I was with - we were in a recession, cash flow was an issue and the big book wholesalers and retailers were demanding more discount and paying slower. It was also a time in publishing when taking a risk on a new idea or a new author was becoming more and more rare and there was a glut of copy cat books or books by celebrities being published. The call from Coverdale came at just the right time and it caused me to reflect on my future. We flirted for about a year. About this time I was also lecturing part time on Edinburgh Napier’s publishing course in contemporary publishing and management.
Coverdale made me a very interesting offer - they would train me, I would get a look at them, they would get a look at me, no commitment on either side. It was a very generous offer and too good to pass up so I gave it a go. To cut a long story short I spent 23 years with Coverdale, worked all over the world with some exciting companies and organisations, and coached some fantastic people and teams. I eventually had the honour of serving as CEO of Coverdale UK and MD of Coverdale International for almost 10 years.
It was because of this work that I decided to revisit my relationship with Edinburgh Napier and sign up for a part-time MBA. I graduated in 1995. I later formed an executive forum for directors of organisations I had done work with, and was delighted when the then Dean of the Business School, Jack Worden, agreed to join. It was a fantastic forum for discussing and sharing issues and challenges facing leaders.
I still have close contact with Coverdale and mentor several of their younger coaches. I also still do a bit of work with long standing clients and also do some pro bono work for a couple of charities. I’m not sure I’ll ever retire properly.
If you were to give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Stay true to yourself and your values, be purpose led and worry less about what other people think. Treat people well.
What advice would you give to someone looking for their first graduate opportunity?
You may find this strange coming from a coach or consultant, but I think I would say...Don’t worry too much about setting goals and having a clear career plan. It’s fine if you have one, but if you don’t, don’t worry about it. Not everyone needs one or is motivated by one. Whether you have one or not, do what you are good at, do what makes you happy, maintain good relationships in and out of work and everything else will follow.
What's your biggest achievement away from work?
Without doubt my marriage (42 years and counting), my 3 very successful children, and my 9 fantastic grandchildren - although I only play a supporting role!