Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

The 'day job' is being responsible for hiring people at senior middle manager level (£80k to £150k).

Aside from this I run the company and all that involves, PR, marketing, accounts, networking et al.

It can be anything from a breakfast meeting networking with clients and candidates through to cold calling prospective new candidates, to meeting clients, and proposing a solution to their resourcing needs. I will also conduct supplier and people reviews.

The variety, meeting new people, changing lives, impacting and influencing senior people, helping companies grow and develop. We are also financially rewarded well which enables me to pursue more altruistic causes such as the support I have given as a Prince's Trust business mentor and also the support we have given to the university's elite sports programme.

Delivery of tough sales targets and project commitments.

The nature of the two businesses I have started, one of which I have sold has enabled me to be financially secure in my early 30s. More latterly it has enabled me to build a business which I can run as more of a lifestyle business where I can gain a greater work/life balance but still maintain a strong financial position.

NLP training, coaching on an ad hoc basis.

Sept 97-Sept 98 - Sainsbury's Grad Scheme
Majority of my time stacking shelves.

Sept 98-April 02 - Michael Page, Consultant to Manager
Fantastic grounding in recruitment with the market leader.

April 02-Oct 02 - Hudson, Manager to Associate Director

YEAR OUT TRAVELLING - 2003

Mar 04-Feb 09 - R3 Resourcing, Founder and CEO
2 to 38 people, in 3 offices in 5 years

Mar 09-Present - SPE Resourcing, Managing Director
Niche search business focusing on quality and service, in growth year on year since inception.

I am now looking to invest in a number of start up businesses with a view to 'going plural' in the next 3-5 years. I hope to be retired by 55, in order to travel the world again once my two kids are at university!

Be tenacious. Drive and enthusiasm is always more important than pure intellect/qualifications, but when the two are aligned it's a heady mix.

I am a little unorthodox. I nearly failed my degree, but have worked hard since starting initially on Sainsbury's grad scheme, becoming an associate director aged just 26. Since starting my first company in 2004, which I subsequently sold, I have focused all my efforts on developing people and delivering business in a fun, people driven environment. I am immensely proud of the fact that four people who have previously worked for and with me now run their own successful recruitment businesses.