In today’s evolving business landscape, organisations face unprecedented challenges – from technological disruption to sustainability obligations and shifting workforce dynamics. Against this backdrop, hiring leaders equipped to navigate complexity and inspire change is essential.

An MBA is about growing confident, responsible leaders that organisations need, where the potential for innovation and transformation is huge.

The Newcastle University MBA develops and shapes these leaders.

How did you find the transition from the MBA programme into your role at Demeter?

My transition into Demeter was a very natural one, as it followed directly from my MBA Corporate Consultancy Project with the company. While still a student, I had already developed a solid understanding of the organisation, its operations, and — most importantly — its challenges in my field of expertise, marketing and sales. This meant much of my orientation and induction took place before I even joined as an employee, allowing me to step into the role with confidence and clarity.

The timing was also ideal. I only took a short break to visit home before returning to the North East to start at Demeter, which meant the tools, frameworks, and problem-solving approaches I learned during the MBA were still fresh in my mind. I could immediately put them into practice—applying critical thinking, considering long-term strategic goals, and working to address real business challenges. My consultancy project’s findings continued to serve as a foundation for my work, guiding my decisions and ensuring a smooth and impactful start.

What influenced your decision to remain in the North East after completing your MBA?

In my case, the decision was partly shaped by opportunity—I received an offer from Demeter even before completing my MBA. However, it was also a conscious choice based on my personal experience of living in Newcastle.

During my time as an international student, I explored other UK cities such as Manchester, Leeds, and London. While each had its own appeal, Newcastle struck the perfect balance between a vibrant, bustling city and a calm, welcoming community with strong cultural roots. It’s a place I quickly came to call home.

Professionally, the North East offers a wealth of opportunities—particularly in areas I’m passionate about, like environmental sustainability. Working with a water company, I’ve had the chance to attend numerous sustainability events hosted by local councils, which showcase the region’s genuine commitment to net zero goals. This forward-thinking approach, combined with the area’s quality of life, made it an easy and rewarding decision to build my career here.

Hiring a Newcastle University MBA

Meera’s employer, Demeter, also reflected on the experience of working with her during the dissertation project and then offering Meera employment after graduating.

What motivated your business to engage with the Newcastle University MBA programme?

We have hosted a number of Newcastle University master’s students focussing on sustainability in previous years with great success. It enables the student to deepen their experience with practical insights relating to the material they have been studying while bringing a fresh perspective to our team to help us develop thinking and make improvements to our service and operations.

How would you describe your experience of integrating an MBA student into your team?

This has been an extremely positive experience. Meera’s project mapped our customer journey and very astutely identified pain points where we could make further improvements. The professionalism when interviewing some of our key customers was spot on, and her ability to build relationships extended to easily integrating with our established team. We had a feedback presentation for all office staff so they could see the outcomes of the dissertation, and this was very successful in focussing all our minds and helping all colleagues to see where the new role would fit in with our operations when Meera joined the business.

What impact has Meera had on your business since joining?

Meera has set up the sales and marketing function in a short space of time, and as a company we are now in a much better position with a defined and organised approach to marketing rather than the ad-hoc approach we followed previously. Meera has refreshed our website also, and information about Demeter can be found on this link.

The Newcastle University MBA

Accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) for over 35 years, the programme consistently meets and exceeds the international standards for MBA education. AMBA’s rigorous assessment criteria ensure that only the highest-calibre programmes which demonstrate the best standards in teaching, curriculum and student interaction achieve accreditation.

The Newcastle University MBA is designed for career advancement, to future-proof businesses and to develop confident, capable leaders who can navigate uncertainty and create meaningful impact.

It offers a comprehensive, practice-based experience, combining strategic insight with leadership development. Our MBA candidates gain a 360 degree understanding of how organisations work and how to make them work better. They are chosen for their depth of experience and wealth of expertise across sectors and markets. They graduate with advanced business knowledge and the strategic insight, practical experience and confident leadership mindset to make an immediate and lasting impact. They bring fresh perspectives, resilience and innovation that propel organisations of all sizes.

Dr Lucy Hatt, Newcastle University MBA Programme Director, said: “The hallmark of our MBA learners is their ability to take a valuable new perspective and a critical approach to established practice.”

A strategic investment in future leadership

By employing an MBA graduate, you can benefit from enhanced strategic thinking, better decision-making and a fresh injection of leadership capability.

International students who have studied in the UK and have a degree from an approved UK institution, like Newcastle University, can work for up to two years after graduation. They can take work at any level of salary once their graduate route permission is issued (except if working as a professional sportsperson or coach). This is an unsponsored route, meaning employers don’t need a sponsor licence to hire someone with a Graduate Visa.

Work with us

Interested in recruiting our MBA graduates?

Want to work with our MBA students on a research project or interactive learning experience?

Contact us at external.engagement@newcastle.ac.uk