Business Theory to Business Practice

With a long track record working in the travel and tourism industry, Garry sees his prime achievement as establishing a new holidays business with 1 million passengers in its first year.

How does it feel to be selected for the Alumni 100 list?

"I am very proud to be recognised by the Business School, and honoured to be among so many esteemed alumni."

What made you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh Business School?

"The excellent international reputation of both the Business School and the University, as well as the progressive approach to many business disciplines, especially strategy."

What are your memories of studying at the Business School?

"The teaching staff were so incredibly supportive and knowledgeable, and despite my precocious and questioning 18-year-old self, were extraordinarily patient and generous with their time. It felt like being part of a very intimate group where we learnt together and I made a great network of lifelong friends with whom I am still in touch today."

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

"The importance of clear communicable strategy underpinned by sound and solid finance."

Proudest work-related achievement to date?

"Establishing a new holidays business with 1 million passengers in its first year, and turnover of several hundreds of millions of pounds."

What's the one thing you think current students need to develop or learn before entering the modern workplace?

"I would encourage them to use every opportunity that they have to learn from the incredible resource that is available to them. Business theory evolves to business practice and the models and thinking of complex problems that the students will study will be invaluable in their places of work where they will be applying these in real time and in real situations.

"Success in business comes from clarity of strategy and direction. Knowledge and experience make strategic decision-making so much easier, and the Business School will give you a great opportunity to build that knowledge. As well as strategic clarity, success in business in my opinion also relies on a fundamental understanding of key financial principles. The more senior one becomes in an organisation, the more one relies on the understanding of the key financial levers which make businesses successful.