Jeremy Harwood

Jeremy Harwood, 38, has always had a keen interest in business strategy. Now he’s pursuing his dream of studying for an MBA degree at the University of Waikato with the goal of enhancing his leadership capabiltiies.

Having grown up in Te Puke and completed a management degree at Waikato in 2010, Jeremy is now a Director – Senior Analyst at Westpac bank in Auckland, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors.

He’s also a father, husband, an avid surfer and fisherman, and has a senior belt in taekwondo.

Jeremy is loving his experience of the Waikato MBA programme so far.

“Despite living in Auckland, I was attracted to the Waikato MBA programme because the management school has a great reputation, and some very well-respected business leaders that I have come across in my career are alumni of the programme,” he says.

“It is fantastic. Our cohort is full of awesome people who are really open and keen to learn. I am enjoying hearing everyone's perspectives on different topics; it’s really refreshing to look at things from a different angle and understand what people in other industries care about.”

He’s eager to grow his leadership knowledge and capabilities, connect with others and become a  "flexible and effective senior leader".

“I have found the lecturers to be very experienced and engaging, helpful, and understanding of the various pressures on students. It is a really well-organised programme, right down to the amazing job that Helen, our programme assistant, does to ensure that we're all fed and taken care of during class.”

“The MBA has been a huge undertaking so far, it is a lot of work … especially while also trying to manage a busy job and young family. But overall I am really enjoying myself.”

Jeremy is one of four MBA students who were awarded $4,000 each as part of the Waikato Management School MBA Emerging Leadership Awards.

He is eager to use the knowledge and capabilities he has gained to become a “flexible and effective senior leader, who will help run the business, rather than just working in the business”.