David Reid

I am currently the Global Business Manager for Sunjet inkjet inks, part of Sun Chemical Ltd, the world's largest producer of printing inks and pigments. Often unheard of outside of the print industry, Sun Chemical is a $4 billion company, and part of the Japanese based DIC Group (with $8 billion annual sales and 22,000 employees worldwide).

In this role, I lead the Global SunJet inkjet team, primarily developing and supplying several thousand tonnes of inkjet inks per year to inkjet machine manufacturers mainly in Europe, US and China. Internally, I work with the inkjet ink manufacturing sites across the UK, US and China.

My career started out in the local print industry where I joined a Belfast-based company as an apprentice at aged just 16. I worked there for 13 years until technology, mixed with attractive hardware cost reductions, made it easier for customers to in-house the services we offered. This was followed by a move to the ink industry where I worked at Akzo Nobel Inks for three years. I later joined Sun Chemical Inks in 2003, progressing through technical, sales, commercial and management roles within Ireland.

Around ten years into my role at Sun Chemical I realised that my educational background was holding me back from more senior management roles that demanded a more structured all-round approach within the business. After a break of nearly 30 years from education, I knew the transition to higher education was not going to be easy, and on a personal note, a monumental step-up from a set of mediocre ‘O’ level results to undertaking a Masters level degree part-time while working full-time.

So, my search began for an MBA that would suit my needs. I considered several options, from local, international, and online courses but quickly ruled out online courses as they would not provide me with the networking and social learning experience that I sought. While the digital era has revolutionised the way we communicate and learn, I am a strong believer in face-to-face interactions and value opportunities to build personal connections and trust that in-person learning offers. Just think of how much business is done on a golf course, in a restaurant, or in the pub.

Based on convenience of location and value for money, I decided to study at Ulster University. I also had friends in the industry that had completed their Executive MBA at Ulster University, and their personal testimony, particularly around applied learning and real-world work-based projects, gave me the confidence to apply for the course. The programme was part-funded by my employer, who recognised that my thirst for knowledge and progression would ultimately be of long-term value to the company and enhance the wider gamut of experience and theory that would come through an EMBA course.

Starting the course in September 2015 was, believe it or not, much easier than I thought, perhaps through eagerness and excitement in those early interactions with my classmates. Despite being the only person in the class that had not completed ‘A’ levels, I found my work experience of great value. You soon find out that a blend of all backgrounds, education, and experience gives a more rounded approach to the interactions in the course. The network in the study groups was very supportive, and we quickly fed off each other’s skill sets.

My take on the whole experience is firmly that the education that comes from the Ulster EMBA sets you up to understand, empathise, and work with all the functions around a boardroom table. Having that wider knowledge breaks down the functional, vertical barriers and ensures that you take a rounded approach on how best to build on the success and manage the challenges in a company - and not just focus on your own vertical function. From a financial perspective, the course gave me the skillset to understand the full costs involved both above and below the line in my business area, which is essential when negotiating large scale business for the long-term of any business and how to maximise a company’s value.

In 2017, I gained a distinction in my EMBA from Ulster University, and I utilise this knowledge in my day-to-day work to maintain a successful business in a high growth area. The experience and knowledge gained from the EMBA have helped me to better understand the day-to-day running across all the functions within a global company. This wider understanding helps ensure a rounded view of how to get the best out of people, physical resources and the intellectual property in a company, helping to build on long-term strategy for growth, through maximum utilisation of resources, acquisitions, new markets, and new sales models etc.

It also greatly helps to understand the dynamics, goals, targets, and politics, across these different functions to ensure that you manage the process of working together for the greater good, as much as possible.

My advice to anyone considering starting an EMBA is to do your research on what is available. Consider the support you get from a face-to-face blend of local and international students, local and international company representatives, and the value for money of the Ulster EMBA. Finally, don’t be afraid of the course content or your level of education because if you have reached the point of seriously considering an EMBA, you will no doubt have the enthusiasm to carry you through a couple of years of intense study. And it’s worth it!