Nestlé supremo serves up marketing masterclass

Students at GCU London were given a rare insight into the differences between working for a large corporate organisation and setting up their own venture when Susan Gregory, head of food at Nestlé Professional UK, gave an expert marketing masterclass.

Susan delivered her masterclass, titled ‘Gorilla Marketing - From Big Business to Building Your Own Business’, to GCU London postgraduate students at the university’s Spitalfields campus on Friday, March 8th.

The marketing expert, who has worked with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne and Nescafé, as well as holding the position of Global Marketing Director for Black Tea at Unilever Foodsolutions, spoke with students about her time with multi-national corporations as well as setting up her own tea company Pause.

Head of GCU London, Stephen Holt said: “Susan Gregory is a highly respected figure in the marketing industry and we were honoured to have her present on such an interesting subject to our students on our London campus.

“It was fantastic to hear first-hand her experiences working with large blue chip companies as well as how her passion for well-produced, sustainable tea led her to setting up her own company. Students from across our postgraduate courses came together for Susan’s masterclass and found her to be a true inspiration.”

Susan set up Pause in 2010 in a bid to develop a range of superior breakfast teas in a totally sustainable format. She continues to run the business while working with Nestlé.

Susan said: “I was delighted to be able to present a masterclass in marketing to students at GCU London. The university has a fantastic reputation and I hope my class gave the students a greater insight into the world of blue chip companies as well as starting up on your own.”

Paurav Shukla, Professor of Luxury Brand Marketing at GCU London said: "Susan shared some highly relevant strategic and tactical insights with students including the need for hard and smart work, keeping in touch with the final customer, and getting grassroots training to develop a well-rounded personality. She highlighted the importance of chance encounters and encouraged students to work towards building a network to stand out from the crowd."

Previous masterclass speakers have included Brian Duffy, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Polo Ralph Lauren Europe, who spoke on managing in the global luxury market and Tom Lewis, founder of clothing brand UTILE who gave his insight into building an online clothing brand.