News

Durham MBA students celebrate a matching pair

(4 October 2006)

A couple that were drawn to Durham Business School for its world-class MBA are now celebrating the arrival of twins after being drawn to one another on the course!

Gary, 41, and Katie Welch, 37, from Wynyard, met whilst studying on the Business School’s part-time MBA programme. As their two-year course drew to a close in 2002, love blossomed for Gary, now an independent management consultant, and Katie, an account manager for Yorkshire Building Society. But the path of true love was not to be a straightforward one, as Gary Welch explains: “We got together on the Friday night and the following Monday morning I was on a plane to Brussels where I was going to work for a year for a chemical industry lobbying organisation. The timing wasn’t great!” But thanks to plenty of commuting for Gary and visits from Katie, the distance didn’t dampen the relationship and, four years on, Gary and Katie are now married and have recently welcomed twins Henry and Matilda into the world. Doting dad Gary adds: “The twins are an absolute delight and keep us both on our toes. I have no doubt that in years to come, the story of how Katie and I met at the Business School will make a great bedtime story for them!” Anne Woodhead, director of Durham Business School’s part-time MBA programme, said: “The main reason our students do an MBA is to meet their career aspirations, so it’s wonderful to hear that their studies have brought together such a lovely couple. “The babies are absolutely delightful and, as far as I’m aware, Henry and Matilda are our first MBA alumni twins! We’d like to wish the Welch family all the very best for the future.” Durham Business School offers MBAs by full-time or part-time study and through distance learning. For more information visit www.durham.ac.uk/dbs.