MX (Masters Extra) programme
The Masters Extra (MX) programme is designed specifically for taught masters students in the University of St Andrews Business School and focuses on careers, and personal and professional development. This series of talks, networking opportunities and activities includes guest lectures from leading academics and experienced managers.
Through regular attendance, participants can enhance their career opportunities and earn a Certificate in Career Development. To qualify for a certificate, students must attend a minimum of four MX sessions in each semester.
MX is an integrated programme between the Business School and the University Careers Centre.
MX sessions after Orientation Week are presented on Wednesdays and include 30 minutes for Q and A. Usually, sessions are held:
- at 4.30pm
- in person
- in Gateway LR 3/4
Any variations to this schedule will be sent via email.
Outline schedule 2025-2026 Semester 2
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Wednesday 4 February 2026
Cezary Sowiński, Public Policy Manager, Amazon
Session overview: This session explores how Amazon approaches customer trust as a core strategic and operational priority. The talk will cover Amazon’s customer-centric mission and principles, how trust is built and maintained across complex digital marketplaces, and the practical tools used to protect brands, buyers and sellers.
About the speaker: Cezary Sowiński is a Public Affairs professional specialising in e-commerce, competition and consumer law and intellectual property. He is currently Public Policy Manager at Amazon, Vice-Chair of the Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group at the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, and a lecturer at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH). Before joining Amazon, he was Senior Director of Customs and Regulatory Affairs Europe at DHL Express and previously worked in the Indirect Tax team at PricewaterhouseCoopers Poland and at the Ministry of Economy. He holds two master’s degrees and a PhD from the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH).
Why attend: Learn about how a global platform like Amazon puts its relentless focus on the customer into practice; how customer trust shapes decisions in large, complex online marketplaces. Hear about the challenges around protecting brands and customers from illicit marketplace activities, and how enforcement and cooperation work in practice across borders. There will be space for questions and discussion that go beyond the session topic and Cezary has wide experience and insights to share.
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Wednesday 11 February 2026
Dorka Balla-Johnson, Internships Programme Lead, Talent Acquisition Service, NATO
Session overview: Join Head of the NATO Headquarters Internship Programme and University of St Andrews Business School Alumna, Dorka Balla-Johnson, for a candid discussion on the nuances of global governance, where consensus is king and efficiency is defined by resilience. In the private sector, success is driven by the speed of action and the famous ‘bottom line’. In the world of international defense, success is measured by what doesn’t happen.
We will break down:
- The Efficiency Paradox: Visualizing progress in organizations where stability is the primary product.
- Radical Resilience: How to maintain personal and professional footing when the geopolitical landscape changes over a weekend.
Stay until the end for a briefing on NATO youth employment opportunities and how to get involved.
About the speaker: Dorka Balla-Johnson is an HR professional at NATO, where she oversees the NATO Internship Programme, selecting, supporting and developing international early-career talent. Since joining the organization in 2020, she has played key roles in supporting diverse talent, drawing on her background and degrees in Management and Psychology .
Previously, she managed large-scale events for the Honors and Scholars programs at The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the world and worked as an Email Marketing Specialist for the USA Today Media.
Her work is driven by a commitment to public service and to building inclusive, diverse pathways into international organizations.
Why attend: Learn how NATO works and what are the internship and job opportunities. Not a bad thing to add to a CV!
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Wednesday 18 February 2026Andrew Dane, CEO, The Artisanal Spirits Company plc
Session overview: Join Andrew for an open and honest discussion on the challenges and opportunities of leading an organisation. Drawing on his own experience, he will reflect on the shift from CFO to CEO and what it takes to build trust across the whole organisation — moving from functional leadership to organisation-wide responsibility, and from peer to boss within an established executive team.
The session will also explore how the CEO role reshapes priorities and perspectives, including making decisions with incomplete information and relying on influence, alignment and clarity rather than formal authority alone. Andrew will discuss the practical tension between pragmatism and process — when to follow the rules, and when to challenge them — as well as what it means to lead a “40-year-old start-up”, balancing heritage with the need for innovation.
Alongside these themes, Andrew will share personal insights on leadership, highlighting the value of curiosity, hard work and maintaining an open-minded approach.
About the speaker: Andrew Dane is the Chief Executive of the Artisanal Spirits Company, which creates and sells limited-edition whisky and experiences, primarily through its principle subsidiary “The Scotch Malt Whisky Society”. Andrew has been the CEO since January 2023, and is responsible for:
- Strategy: Developing and leading the company strategy
- Operations: Responsibility for the day to day operations, managed through the Senior Management Team
- Performance: Delivery of the key financial results
- Culture: Leading the global workforce of around 150 people, fostering a strong and positive workplace culture
Andrew was previously the Finance Director for the Artisanal Spirits Company (2020-2023) before promotion to the role of CEO.
Prior to that Andrew was the Finance Director of Argent Energy, a pioneering renewable fuel producer, and spent 8 years working for KPMG, across Edinburgh, London and Toronto.
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Wednesday 25 February 2026
Laurenz Apiarius, Founding Partner, Curiosity Capital
Session overview: Innovation is driven by both innovators that re-wire the status quo as well as the incumbents (both political and private) that force our hands as to how we want to see our future develop.
About the speaker: Founding Partner of Curiosity Capital, a pan-European and FCA authorized multi-strategy investment boutique, focusing on superior frontier technology and growth investments. As a provider of evergreen products, Curiosity Capital provides long-term outperforming asset allocations in digital assets and equities to its investors.
Previously he was founding partner of Blockwall, the first German Digital Asset fund, resulting in extraordinary returns for its investors.
He is also non-executive director in two family businesses. Previously, he had numerous active & passive engagements in PE and VC investments around the world. Laurenz was also involved in building various family business companies ranging from real estate, car manufacturing to banking.
Educated in Germany (EBS University), South Africa (University of Stellenbosch) and Scotland (University of St. Andrews).
Why attend: If you are curious about how innovative investment strategies interact with traditional markets, and how finance and investment are evolving in response to new technologies and changing market dynamics, this session is for you. Come and learn about the future. There will be time for questions and discussion beyond the core themes of the presentation.
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Wednesday 11 March 2026
Tobi Hartmann, CEO, entrepreneur, and investor.
Session overview: In this session, Tobias Hartmann will draw on his experience as a technology entrepreneur and investor to discuss how tech founders and investors decide where to invest their time and capital. He will explore what tends to matter most when assessing opportunities at different stages of company growth, from early start-ups to more established tech firms. The session will also address how students can think about securing internships and early-career roles in technology companies, including what start-ups and scale-ups typically look for in candidates.
About the speaker: Tobi Hartmann is a six-time global tech CEO, entrepreneur, and investor with roots in both Germany and the United States. A lifelong builder, he helped shape the early digital era by creating the first standardized systems for electronic document exchange and digital court record storage in the early 2000s—technology still foundational in the judiciary today.
Since then, Tobi has led and scaled multiple companies around the world, including the global leader in trademark creation and online brand protection. His work blends innovation, operational excellence, and an instinct for transforming complex ideas into category-defining businesses.
Today, Tobi is developing a next-generation AI platform focused on safeguarding and wellbeing for K–12 schools and students worldwide continuing his mission to use technology to make meaningful, lasting impact in the world.
Why attend: If you curious about how to start, scale and sell tech companies, how Silicon Valley compares to Germany / EU, how tech investors spot interesting opportunities (for example – why analogue sells well to defence sector?) or how to get an internship / job in a tech company – the session is for you.
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Wednesday 18 March 2026David Pennino, Founder and CEO, LogicSource
About the speaker: David Pennino is the President and Chief Executive Officer of LogicSource as well as a founding partner of the firm and a member of the Board of Directors. David has over 20 years’ experience in the Services and Outsourcing industry including roles as a senior executive at Williams Lea Group, Scient, and Gartner. David received a Bachelor of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College.
Why attend: Expect high energy and some naked truth about the entrepreneurial journey.
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Wednesday 25 March 2026Carl-Georg Luft, PwC
Session overview: TBC
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Wednesday 1 April 2026Farshad Nowshadi, VC advisor, Level39
Session overview: The session will cover the latest trend in how AI is changing Business and Finance and how to do to prepare for the changes. On the career front, Farshad will share his experience on how to become a better entrepreneur in finding VC investments (but think of it more broadly as ‘how to access resources’)
About the speaker: Farshad Nowshadi is a global fintech veteran with over 30 years of experience bridging the gap between legacy banking and radical innovation. A foundational force in the digital banking revolution, Farshad served as the ex-VP of eStrategy at Saman Bank and helped to establish Blu Bank, the largest mobile bank in the Middle East, which has scaled to 14 million users. His influence extends to the heart of London’s tech scene as a VC Mentor at Level39, where he has nurtured unicorns such as Revolut and Wise. He also serves as a perennial Judge for the Fintech Payment Awards.
Currently, Farshad is focused on the next technological frontier: Agentic AI payments. He curates the "AI in Business and Finance" series at Level39 and advises startups pioneering AI wallets. Combining the prudence of a banking executive with the foresight of an early pre-IPO investor in Google and Amazon, Farshad offers a definitive voice on the future of autonomous commerce. He is a published author, a Guest Lecturer at St Andrew’s Business School, and holds an M.Phil in Computing from the University of Sussex.
Why attend: Even if you are not planning a career in AI, finance, or venture capital, this session offers valuable insight into how new technologies are reshaping organisations and careers. The focus goes beyond tools to explore how ideas attract resources, how entrepreneurs and teams gain support, and what skills and mindsets matter in fast-changing environments.
Outline schedule 2024-2025 Semester 2
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Wednesday 29 January 2025
Martin Purbrick, Consultant, Analyst, Writer Director, Purbrick & Associates
Illicit markets and organised crime pose significant challenges to businesses, extending beyond predictable operational risks and often posing strategic, financial and reputational risks. From counterfeit products to illegal online markets, these hidden threats undermine legitimate business operations and pose difficult questions for risk management.
This talk will explore real-world examples, such as Intel Corporation's battle against rampant product counterfeiting and alteration in the 1990s and 2000s. Intel faced a thriving grey market for overclocked microprocessors – devices modified to falsely appear as higher-performing models and sold at discounts that undercut the legal market. Traditional solutions, such as enforcement and working with local governments, failed to resolve the issue. Instead, Intel and other technology companies turned to technological innovations that rendered such counterfeiting obsolete.
The discussion will then examine modern-day challenges like illegal online betting and gambling markets – borderless operations beyond the reach of regulators that generate massive profits for organised crime while undermining legal businesses and causing social harm.
Join us for another informative MX talk and explore how companies can tackle these hidden risks and protect their operations in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Wednesday 5 February 2025
Dr David Woodcock, Vice President - Research and Analytics, WNS Global Services
As the world of work becomes ever more complex, data and analytics can help support informed decision making. In this talk Dr David Woodcock will talk through his experience of how global companies are using data and analytics to drive growth and reduce cost and risk.
Dr Woodcock is a Corporate Vice President at WNS Global Services, an outsourcer supporting some of the world’s best known brands with analytics, finance, operations and more. He leads sales operations and enablement bringing data and research to support growth.
He studied with us here in St Andrews as both an undergraduate and postgraduate. The work from his Chemistry PhD achieved 10 academic papers and has been cited more than 700 times to date.
Through his career he has worked in a variety of research, analytics and data leadership roles in manufacturing, consulting and financial services.
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Wednesday 12 February 2025
David Pennino, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LogicSource
Most startups fail, and even brilliant ideas often don't make it. What differentiates those that survive and grow from those that don't? In this talk, Dave Pennino, CEO and founder of LogicSource, will share his journey of building a $500MM market cap business from a simple idea initially captured in just 16 PowerPoint slides. Today, his company, which includes a retained professional services (BPO) business, a 5-module SaaS platform, and a data business, employs over 400 people and continues to grow. Dave will walk through the key milestones in the company's evolution, including six private equity raises, six rounds of venture and later-stage debt deals, and an economic development deal with the state of Connecticut, along with the challenges faced – including lawsuits.
Dave’s goal is to share an authentic perspective of the entrepreneurial journey – including the highs and lows, and the pitfalls that often lead to failure. He will share the personal lessons and principles that have guided his decision-making throughout this journey, offering insights on resilience, strategic thinking, and the mindset needed to navigate the complexities of building a successful business. This talk will provide valuable takeaways for anyone considering entrepreneurship, helping them understand what it truly takes to survive and thrive in the startup world.
Dave has over 20 years’ experience in the services and outsourcing industry, including roles as a senior executive at Williams Lea Group, Scient, and Gartner. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College.
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Wednesday 26 February 2025
Daniel Bayram, Strategic Partnerships Representative, Kognity AB, Sweden
This session will explore impact-driven work and how it can lead to personal fulfillment and societal impact. Starting with the task of defining what 'something that matters' means, the session will discuss the realities of working in impact-driven organisations, and highlight the challenges and rewards. Finally, the session will provide those seeking to align their careers with meaningful goals with an outline of actionable next steps.
Daniel Bayram is a project manager and development practitioner with over nine years of experience addressing economic and social challenges through employment, education and entrepreneurship initiatives. Throughout his career, he has tackled development issues from diverse perspectives, working with organisations across the public sector, youth associations, social enterprises, start-ups, foundations, international NGOs and multilateral bodies.
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Wednesday 12 March 2025
Dr Robert Kilgour, CEO, Dow Investments Plc
Join Dr Robert D Kilgour as he reflects on his remarkable 50-year entrepreneurial journey in this engaging and insightful MX talk. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr Kilgour will share key lessons on spotting opportunities, navigating uncertainty and embracing change. He’ll discuss the importance of self-awareness and reflexivity, while offering tips on building, managing and leveraging teams to achieve the best possible results.
Expect practical advice on balancing passions with business, managing reputation, 'kissing frogs' and steering clear of greed. This session promises valuable insights, no matter your future career plans or aspirations.
Robert is an experienced entrepreneur who:
- founded Four Seasons Health Care, opening its first care home in May 1989 in Fife
- founded, and is Chairman of Renaissance Care which currently operates 18 care homes throughout Scotland
- co-founded and is still a Director of NW Security Group, video and security systems specialists
- is Advisory Board Director of E2E, a worldwide community of circa 24,000 entrepreneurs
- is Advisory Council Member of the Jobs Foundation
- is co-founder and Ambassador of Local Recovery, a Scotland-wide campaign group of over 10,000 active supporters working at improving Scottish local community facilities
- co-founded and launched The Museum of Prime Minister with historian and educator Sir Anthony Seldon
- founded the Social Care Foundation to encourage and support much needed social care reform
- was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Stirling in 2023 for his 'outstanding contribution to entrepreneurship and philanthropy'.
Robert’s long history of involvement with Macmillan Cancer Support includes chairing an appeal that made possible the building of a hospice in Fife and personally donating the funds to enable the establishment of the first Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre in 2007. There are now 171 such centres throughout the UK interfacing with close to 300,000 people a year.
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Wednesday 19 March 2025 Booth Lecture Theatre, Medical Sciences
Ewan Brown, CBE, with Deputy Principal Professor Brad MacKay
In this session, Ewan Brown will reflect on his career and discuss the recently published book, Corporate Ego – where the board of a company becomes of one mind.
Ewan was educated at Perth Academy and the University of St Andrews. He was an executive director of Noble Grossart, merchant bankers, for over 35 years and a non-executive director for a further 14 years.
His past directorships include:
- Scottish Financial Enterprise (chair)
- Entrepreneurial Scotland
- Lloyds TSB Scotland (chair)
- Lloyds TSB Group
- Wood Group
- Stagecoach Group
- Dunedin Income Growth Investment Trust (chair)
- Aberdeen Trust
- Scottish Widows Bank
- Scottish Transport Group
- Scottish Development Finance.
Ewan has been:
- honorary professor of finance at Heriot-Watt University
- senior governor of University of St Andrews
- treasurer of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- depute chair of the Edinburgh International Festival
- chair of Creative Scotland
- Master of the Royal Company of Edinburgh Merchants.
Other previous appointments include:
- Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
- Council of Assembly of the Church of Scotland
- Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
- Royal Scottish Academy Foundation
- Court of Heriot-Watt University.
He received a CBE for services to public life in Scotland and was knighted for services to business, public life and philanthropy.
Outline schedule 2024-2025 Semester 1
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Thursday 12 September 2024 3pm In person: Physics AIntroduction to the Careers Centre and the MX Programme
This introductory session, held in Physics A, will provide a brief introduction to the MX Programme and the career related support services available to students during their Masters Programmes.
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Wednesday 18 September 2024 3pm In person: Booth Lecture Theatre
Film screening, strategy overview and reception
Join fellow students and staff for this inaugural event of the Masters Extra (MX) series 2024.
The session will begin with an exclusive screening of 'Beyond Zero', a documentary that chronicles the journey of Interface, a global flooring company, and its visionary founder as they embark on a strategy to eliminate their environmental footprint. The film offers a rich insight into the challenges and tensions related to embracing sustainable strategy.
Following the screening, the Dean of the Business School will present a brief overview of the new School strategy and the role of sustainability in the School. This is your opportunity to learn how the School plans to integrate sustainable practices into curriculum and operations. You'll also have the chance to ask questions and engage in discussions about School strategy and sustainability initiatives.
The event will conclude with a drinks and nibbles reception, providing the perfect setting for getting to know other students and faculty.
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Wednesday 25 September 2024 4pm In person
Florentyna Smith, Principal at Starburst
Are you curious about how the space sector connects with innovation beyond just rockets and satellites? Join an engaging event which will explore the evolving role of innovation intermediaries – those who bridge industries and drive collaboration – by examining how open innovation and collective action are reshaping sectors like defence and space. The session will discuss how this shift challenges traditional competitive strategies, opens up new opportunities for knowledge sharing, and can reframe the use of technologies for social good over profit. Whether you're interested in space or other fields, this session will shed light on the skills and challenges of becoming a key connector in the world of innovation.
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Wednesday 2 October 2024 4pm In person
Dr Stephan Rinck, Technology Specialist for Consultancies and Global Systems Integrators IBM Deutschland GmbH
2023 started a new era for artificial intelligence (AI). Since that time a wave of technological innovation is taking various industries by storm and has become the top discussion point for AI – generative AI, made popular by ChatGPT.
The rapidly advancing AI capability is on its way to revolutionising every aspect of an enterprise. The ability to access data has leveled the playing field and brought every enterprise a unique possibility of progress.
Stephan Rinck's MX talk will refer to recent research from IBM's Institute of Business Value (IBV). Stephan will illustrate the presentation with examples from several IBM clients – showing the context and relevancy of AI for enterprises.
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Wednesday 9 October 2024 4pm In person
Barclay Milne, Director Of Engineering at Shure
Why do some companies consistently provide great products or services to their customers, almost as if it’s in their DNA, while others - despite employing very talented people - fail to hit the target? When the difference between such success and failure can be so pivotal to the commercial success of a company, knowing and acting on the answers to this question can hardly be of more fundamental importance to entrepreneurs, investors, senior management, and indeed any stakeholder of an organisation. Shure has been making microphones for almost 100 years and is said to be the preferred brand for musicians and sound professionals at the top of their game. In this talk, Milne will explain why innovative products and services can only come from companies who have deep empathy with their customers and understand how to nurture and manage innovation as a commercial process at the beating heart of their business.
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Wednesday 16 October 2024 4pm In person
Carlos Ferraz, Chairman of Skywire Australia
Carlos Ferraz is a seasoned global entrepreneur with 12 startups and 4 successful exits. He will share his journey from building and managing businesses in the fast-paced IT and mobile computing market to pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). This talk will explore the intersection of practical innovation and academic rigor, offering insights into how entrepreneurial experiences can shape and enhance scholarly pursuits. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a future academic, or simply curious about the fusion of business and research, this session aims to provide valuable perspectives and actionable takeaways.
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Wednesday 30 October 2024 4pm In person
Jim Campbell, Assistant Director, Careers Centre, University of St Andrews
Attend this event to find out more about the graduate job market in the UK. The session will cover common recruitment timelines and effective job search strategies, and provide tips on how to perform well in a typical recruitment process. It will also draw upon the experiences of international graduates who have previously sought employment in the UK via the Graduate route visa or the Skilled Worker visa.
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Wednesday 6 November 2024 4pm In person
Sharad Vishvanath, Partner and SVP Global Enterprise Client Leader, AON
Drawing on real life examples, this interactive session will focus on how consulting can be a force for good, e.g. through Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory or Environmental, social and governance (ESG) advisory. It will detail some of the realities of the consulting profession and what it takes to be successful in a consulting career.
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Wednesday 20 November 2024 4pm In personDr William Crossan, Assistant Professor of Sports Management, Charles University, Prague
Dr Crossan's research focuses on the phenomenon of globalisation and sport migration, and values-based leadership in sport coaching. His book Czech sport migration: push and pull variations between sports and cultures was published in August 2024.
He will speak on the topic, 'Disconnected networks: understanding and optimising sport migration networks in semi-periphery countries – an overview of the effects and ramifications of sport migration across five sports'.