Partner Article

MBA students get 'special' advice

A group of MBA students from Newcastle University Business School have been given first hand advice on effective leadership and business management from one of the region’s top female entrepreneurs. Fiona Cruickshank, MD of Prudhoe-based pharmaceutical firm The Specials Laboratory, invited the group of international students for a tour of the facilities at Specials, hosting a guest speaker presentation and Q&A session as part of their MBA programme.

Dr Lucy Lu, MBA Programme Director at Newcastle University Business School said: “Our links with industry are very important to us which is why we work so closely with businesses such as The Specials Lab to provide our students with a real grasp on how businesses work in practice. “As the entrepreneur behind one of the most innovative businesses in the region, Fiona was an obvious choice to share her business expertise.”

After more than ten years working across the UK in community pharmacies, hospitals and in industry, Fiona moved back to the North East to set up The Specials Laboratory with business partner Brian Dougherty in 1999.

Fiona said: “As an active supporter of the local knowledge economy, I am always keen to share my experiences and help nurture the business leaders of tomorrow. The North East is a fantastic place to do business and by working collaboratively with NUBS and other key regional partners, our aim is to ensure The Specials Laboratory plays its part in attracting and retaining the business leaders of tomorrow right here in the region.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .