Diploma Management Studies, 1989
Uma has been teaching in California for the last 15 years, having moved Stateside over 22 years ago with her husband - also at Teesside alum. She shares “Teesside holds very dear to my career and also where I met my husband of 31 years. We have both been very fortunate to have travelled and lived in many different places. So grateful, thank you Teesside!”
BA Business Studies, 1989
David has had a life in retail since studying at Teesside - taking him from the boardroom of Harrods to the desert of Qatar. Married 3 times - the last time only a short time ago - David has two grown up daughters and now a young son. He has recently turned his hand to the commercial world of UK manufacturing and enjoys life living in the Garden of England, Kent.
BA Business Studies, 1986
David is proud to report that 37 years ago (when Teesside University was a Polytechnic) he became the first non-University graduate marketing trainee with United Biscuits, before moving into the world of advertising and strategic planning. David's professional life culminated in merging and running WPP's marketing strategy house, specialising in financial services. He later quit to advise and reposition the heritage luxury brand Debrett's before selling on the business. Subsequently involved in setting up and running a fintech business, David has also picked up a couple of Non-Executive Director roles along the way.
BA Economics, 1980
Denise studied at Teesside in 1978 as a U.S. study abroad student and over the years has made banking her lifelong career. Having just turned 65, Denise shares that she was grateful for the time spent at Teesside as it opened her eyes in many ways - encouraging her to take risks and to reach further. Denise went into study at Drexel University in Philadelphia and earned her MBA. Denise currently manages endowments and foundations at PNC Bank and would love to visit the campus again to relive her time there. “It was fabulous!!”