Strategy and sustainability director — Geoff Guerin

After gaining leadership experience in various roles and achieving several professional qualifications, Geoff chose to study the online, part-time MSc Sustainability at Cranfield University

Tell us about your career journey and what led you to this point.

I graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a business studies degree and started a graduate development scheme with BHSF, a health insurance and employee benefits company. From there, I progressed through the organisation, and continued my studies by completing an MBA at Aston University.

I wanted to learn more and so I looked to gain the Chartered Director qualification from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Chartered Insurer qualification from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) while working full time.

I was appointed to the board at BHSF and eventually became the chief operating and strategy officer, holding the managing director position of each of their commercially facing subsidiaries at different times.

After leaving the business, I started at IDEX Consulting, a business growth advisory firm, specialising in the financial services, general insurance, legal and energy markets.

I took up the role of strategy and sustainability director with a view to helping them create and execute their strategy.

Why did you decide to pursue a postgraduate course at Cranfield University?

It was after attending an executive development course at Cranfield University, there was a module on sustainability, and I realised I wanted to explore that further, do more and have a greater impact in this area.

I chose to study this course due to the longstanding reputation that Cranfield has for practical management application, and its credibility.

It brings together academics from the School of Management and the School of Water, Energy and Environment, so I knew that both technical and practical skills would be taught.

I was also inspired by the co course director, Rosina Watson.

How is the MSc structured?

The part-time course is delivered predominantly online, over two-and-a-half years, with a three-day residential spent on site at Cranfield each year.

How is the course assessed?

The course is assessed mainly through an assignment at the end of, or within, each module. In addition, some modules have assignments on things like creating a podcast or completing a presentation.

Finally, there is a thesis, along with a presentation on the work completed within the course.

How have you managed to balance full-time work with study?

Having an understanding employer is important - one that gives you the right level of time and support to be able to complete the course.

Being clear with your family on what the time commitment is likely to look like before you start helps.

It is ultimately about being organised for both the course, your employment and your family, and knowing when to stop.

What are your career ambitions?

I am part of a business that wants to develop what I have learned on the course and be able to apply this within our own business and how we can help our clients.

The next stage of my career is all about how we do this in the business and truly make a positive impact, for us, our clients and our wider stakeholders.

What tips would you give to others considering a career in sustainability?

• Get some sustainability experience. Aim to do this in the role you are in and consider how you can apply it.
• Understand your area of interest. Sustainability is a broad subject, so look at where you want to make a difference and focus your energy there.
• Be resilient. You will be challenged and expected to have all the answers, with your decisions scrutinised. You need to want to be in a supportive environment where you can make a difference and take on that type of challenge.
• Do it, and go make an impact. Be able to look back on your career and know it was more than just about the money - it was about how you made the world better from what you managed to achieve.

Find out more

• Discover how to get a job in sustainability.
• Read about management courses.
• Consider the part-time MSc Sustainability at Cranfield University.