Mal is a master of business

After quarter of a century working in business, Mal Dodds decided the time was right to return to education.

The Managing Director of Minco Sampling Techniques (UK) Ltd has now graduated from Teesside with his MBA (Enterprise) degree.

Mal, 50, of Ingleby Barwick, has been with the Hartlepool company since its launch 25 years ago. His return to study came after he completed a HNC at what was then Teesside Polytechnic around 25 years ago.

MBA Enterprise He said: 'The MBA Enterprise is aimed at owner managers and senior managers who have many years of experience working in business, but may not have the formal qualifications. By doing the MBA the business leaders can gain qualifications and the University in turn can learn from the business leaders.

'I decided to do it to strengthen my knowledge of business and from my point of view, the company has been going for 25 years and we were in a mature market and needed to bring a transformation to change what we were doing to survive and grow.

'There were different ways of bringing that change, such as using consultants, but I decided to train myself, strengthen my knowledge and use it as vehicle to transform.

'Most people in business are so busy they may feel they don't have the time do something like this, but I think they should make the time. You need to work on the business, not in the business.

Going to university allows you to step back and look at your company 'By going to university it allows you to step back and look at your company. I completed the course in two years, just two days a month on a Friday and Saturday, so I was only away from the business one day a month, so it had no impact on the business. I studied during the evenings and in my own time.'

Mal, who turned 50 the week before his graduation ceremony, added: 'I am very pleased and glad that I did the MBA, it has given me a real sense of achievement. My family are very proud of me and shows that you are never too old to be a student.

'My daughter Gemma completed a MSc in Clinical Biochemistry last year in Manchester and she was able to give me a lot of support, as it was difficult returning to academic study after so many years. My other daughter Lisa is working in a local hospital while training to be a laser therapist.

'Completing the MBA has definitely improved my view of the company. We have done things that we wouldn't have had I not done the course, such as buying another company and incorporating it into ours. I would recommend the MBA, but would also say, be prepared.'

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