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David Shannon,
Diploma Management
Studies, 1976
David Houston,
HND Accounting 1976 and
ACCA, 1977
“In the 1970s the UK Government
made a decision to invest
in promising scientists’
management skills. I was encouraged to undergo
a course to provide me with the necessary tools to
become an effective manager.
“Napier played a significant
part in stimulating my interest
in accounting and business,
which led to me pursuing a successful career as a
chartered accountant, working at board level as
Group Finance Director for a number of companies.
“I believe Napier played an extremely significant role
in shaping my career and my personal development.
It provided me with the confidence required to
convince an interview panel I was the right man for
the job!
“The way the staff lectured really brought the
subjects to life and encouraged my interest in the
subject, which went a long way towards me gaining
a Trainee Chartered Accountancy position with
Thomas McLintock (now KPMG). After qualifying
from KPMG in 1982 I went on to work at senior
level for companies including Tetley Walker, Harper
Collins Publishing, Dorling Kindersely and Edinburgh
Woollen Mill Group, where I remained as Group
Finance Director until I retired.
“Following my course I was promoted to Director
of Research at the Roslin Institute, within The
University of Edinburgh. I remained there until 1986
when I was offered the position of Chief Scientist for
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs.
“My greatest personal achievement was in 1979,
when I was fortunate enough to be able to introduce
molecular biology to the research centre in
Edinburgh. I saw the potential it had to influence and
change breeding techniques.
“I was involved in the ‘Dolly the Sheep’ project as
well as an interesting project around genetically
modified chickens. These were all newsworthy
research projects. Dolly the sheep went global, and
it was great to be a part of this.
“I really enjoyed my time at Roslin Institute. The role
provided me with the power to develop a programme
of research as well as support individuals proposed
research projects. I liked being in a position to
back individuals who showed insightfulness and
intelligence with their research.
“In terms of challenges, during my career the real
issues which stand out are Mad Cow disease (BSE)
and Foot and Mouth disease. These were serious
issues in the scientific world and lots of research
in these areas was required at the time.
“I can’t stress strongly enough how vital my
qualification in Management Studies was in
my career.”
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“One of my lasting memories is when I agreed
to do some training with one of my international
classmates at the sports dome. I wanted to advance
my Karate techniques and hadn’t realised my
sparring partner was a 4th Dan black belt – boy did
I get a shock when he started to show off his skills!
“I’ve now retired, after nearly 30 years at an
executive director level. I’m now a non-executive
Director on company boards, responsible for
corporate governance standards. My main role is
with the board of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group.
“The most rewarding part of a non-executive role
is being able to use my experience to mentor and
advise executive directors – particularly those in
the financial area. This can be a challenge when
the director wants to pursue a certain strategy or
get a quick outcome – I’m there to remind them
of due diligence and the formalities – overall this
works well.”