News

Egger UK sees benefits of Durham MBA

(14 August 2006)

Durham University’s Business School is working with one of the region’s biggest employers to ensure senior people have the skills to maximise the benefits of its £100 million expansion plans.

Thirty-four year-old Tony Pereira, from Newcastle, works for Egger UK Ltd, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of wood-based chipboard panels and recently completed a part-time MBA at Durham Business School. Tony is using his new-found skills as financial controller at Egger, heading up the finance department and working with the management team to spearhead the company’s latest business development plans. Egger is an Austrian based group and a global success story. The company operates 15 plants across the UK, Austria, Germany, France and Russia, and sells its products throughout world. Its newest development plan includes a £100 million investment at its plant in Hexham, Northumberland, which would make it the most technologically advanced in Europe. Tony said: “The MBA programme at Durham Business School helped me to develop both personally and professionally. “The MBA has not only given me a sound academic basis for understanding business processes it has also widened my appreciation of the functions of a business, how they operate together and how this interaction is critical for long-term success.” He has no doubt that achieving this top business qualification has enabled him to move his career on to the next level and given him a much wider view of business, strategy and the world in general. Tony adds: “The business contacts I’ve made through the part-time MBA are also a real benefit. I attended the programme with managers from different sectors and backgrounds and this gave me a new perspective on other’s problems and made me look beyond the financial picture in relation to business decisions. “I would recommend the Durham MBA to anyone with an interest in broadening their business perspective. It was hard work but great fun and has changed how I approach my work and my life.” Part-time MBA students study modules including finance, managing in global and competitive environments, people management, methods of inquiry and management of information. The programme also teaches ‘subtle’ attributes that individuals need to succeed as managers. These include a focus on negotiation, presentation, project management and leadership skills. These include a ‘Boardroom Simulation’ exercise designed to bring alive students’ theoretical studies, as well as providing an insight into blue chip management. Bernd Steinlechner, financial director at Egger UK, said: “As a company, we see the value of investing in our employees. The MBA has given Tony scope to enhance his professional and personal development, which will benefit him in his managerial role and help him to enhance his understanding of Egger’s various business functions. “The Durham MBA is academically demanding and the School is renowned for the quality of its graduates. Development of our people is a cornerstone of Egger’s core values and I am proud that we could assist in enhancing Tony’s personal development which will benefit both him and the company.” Anne Woodhead, director of Durham Business School’s part-time MBA programme, said: “I’d like to congratulate Tony on his achievement. The programme generates huge levels of enthusiasm and a real sense of accomplishment. “Tony is great example of how the MBA can help people develop and fulfil their personal and professional potential.” The course contains innovative study modules, equipping students with new skills they can take back and use immediately in their companies. Durham Business School’s approach is unique and ensures that all students have the opportunity to develop skills they can use in the everyday working environment. More information about a part-time MBA at Durham Business School is available by calling 0191 334 5533 or visiting the website.

• Durham University Business School