Our Graduates
Want to see where our graduates go?
Alumni of the Birmingham City Business School can be found up and down the UK, in countless different roles and companies. From entrepreneurs carving their own path to heads of international businesses. We like to keep in touch with all of our graduates, so we can show you how we can help get your career started the moment you join us.
Below, you can find out personal stories of just a handful of our successful graduates, finding out where their degrees took them.
What subject are you interested in?
MARKETING - Lily Pebbles
Course: BA (Hons) Marketing (Advertising and PR)
Graduated: 2010
When Lily began her beauty and lifestyle blog as part of a digital marketing module, she had no idea how many doors would open up for her. Now she runs her YouTube channel and other social media platforms full-time, has become a Sunday Times best selling author with her book The F Word, co-hosts an iTunes number 1 podcast “At Home With” and collaborates with brands such as Waitrose and The White Company.
“Working with brands is one of the highlights of my jobs, I really enjoy working together on a brief and finding a way to naturally integrate products I genuinely love into my usual content. I’ve also been lucky enough to accompany brands on amazing trips around the world to learn more about their upcoming launches, a standout trip for me was visiting Ghana with Sport Relief."
Lily Pebbles now has over 480,000 subscribers on YouTube. She discusses her time at Birmingham City University below with student vlogger Shelby.
Accounting - Joanna Edwards
Course: BSc (Hons) Business Accounting
Graduated: 2017
Joanna always had an interest in business, having studies it at both GCSE and A Level, and was also really interested in accounting, so the BA (Hons) Accountancy and Business course that Birmingham City University offered was "perfect for me".
When she graduated, Joanna won an award for achieving the highest mark in corporate reporting. The knowledge and skills gained during her degree helped Joanna attain her current position as a Graduate Resource Planning Analyst for Virgin Media straight after graduating.
BUSINESS - Nick Dearmun
Course: BA (Hons) Business (Marketing)
Graduated: 2011
Nick chose Birmingham City University because he loved being able to partner up an advertising course with a business course. The advertising course had a few digital modules which were of great interest back in 2008, and of even more interest in this day and age. The lecturers’ real-world experience was a big bonus and stood out for Nick, as they were people he could learn from on top of the University’s curriculum.
Nick worked with Rag’n’Bone Man on his #1 Album, and with Calvin Harris across multiple releases including several #1 singles. He was named in Music Week’s 30 under 30 in 2016. His latest role is as an Account Director at AKQA Los Angeles.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS - Ashley Innis
Course: BA (Hons) International Business (Top-Up)
Graduated: 2003
Ashley has played a key role in many of the projects reshaping the face of Birmingham, including as Communications and Engagement Manager for Grand Central Birmingham, overseeing the centre’s transformation into a new premium shopping and dining destination.
MBA - Derrick Dunkley
Course: MBA
Graduated: 2006
Since graduating with an MBA, Derrick has contributed to and published international guidance and policies, and presented at international conferences in Asia, Europe and in The United States of America. He is now the Asset Management Development Manager for National Grid, and Chair of The Nuclear Sites Licence Provisions Group.
In 2012, Derrick became the first global recipient of the President’s Award for Asset Management by the Institute of Asset Managers, and recently became a finalist in the Black British Business Awards 2017 in the category of STEM Leader of the Year.