Paul Tambeau MBA

The course

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School (UEBS)?

Being from Canada, I really wanted an international experience, not only in living in a world-class city, but also in engaging with classmates from around the world. The University of Edinburgh also has a strong global reputation, which was important to me.

What was it about the degree programme that particularly attracted you?

The fact that it was a 12 month programme with a good mix of elective course options in areas where I had a high interest. I also liked that it was a relatively small class which meant you could get to know people.

Your career

Can you tell us about your career before and after graduating?

I started my career in a boutique management consulting firm in Toronto, Canada where I was exposed to a number of strategy engagements. Given that my undergraduate degree was in political science, I felt that my lack of business education would impede my career growth in consulting.

Immediately after the MBA, I joined KPMG, Canada's national health care management consulting practice, which provided me with experience in a larger corporate environment and gave me an opportunity to work on larger scale projects.

Eventually, I realised that I was an entrepreneur at heart and needed to get out of consulting, which led to my joining a digital health start-up in Canada. After two years, I moved to the UK and joined another digital health business where I eventually became Chief Commercial Officer.

In 2022, I moved to Induction Healthcare as Chief Growth Officer. A few months in, the company was facing a challenging period and I was appointed as Interim Chief Operating Officer with a mandate to lead a business transformation and rightsizing exercise. On the back of that, I was then made Chief Executive Officer in June 2023.

The negotiations course gave me the skills to negotiate a joint venture agreement in healthcare.

How did your degree prepare you for your career?

It provided me with an international perspective on business such as differing working norms and cultures, market drivers and forces, and provided insight into the realities of operating globally. It also helped to fill the gaps in my knowledge to date.

Masters of Change

What are the changes you have been able to make in your chosen field, of which you are most proud?

Digital health companies around the world are changing the way that patients access and receive care. Giving patients access to their own information can empower them to take more control over their health care and improve the outcomes they experience. Technology can also drive a lot of cost savings and operational efficiencies within systems that are struggling to cope with high demand.

During the COVID19 pandemic, we were able to give almost two million people access to a GP which was vital given the pressure on the NHS and numerous lockdowns.

How did your studies at the Business School help you to make those changes?

Since the MBA, my work has taken me around the world and I feel like the international nature of the MBA content and my classmates helped to shape how I've approached this work. It also provided important foundational knowledge and skills that have been crucial in my career progression.

What key things that you learnt at the Business School do you still rely on today?

The economics of strategy course really unveiled the importance of understanding the unit economics of a business and how that drives profitability, growth and performance.

The negotiations course has also proved vital in enabling me to complete deals, including negotiating a joint venture agreement with the UK's second largest private medical insurance provider.

Course highlights and advice

What are your best memories on the programme?

I made some lifelong friends in the programme; we were a work hard, play hard group.

What one piece of advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

Find a good balance between studying and interacting with your classmates.