By Rachel Johnson, PMBA student.
Featured above: The author and classmates posing in Westminster.
In the PMBA program, most of my course work is business oriented and given my job in finance, I am not often brought outside of my “corporate bubble” (for lack of better term). But throughout this course I was able to stretch my brain and expand my thinking via discussions on public policy, political views, personal beliefs, and business alike through the lens of learning about Public Private Partnerships (PPP). I found that the diversity of speakers we had throughout the week allowed me to analyze each speaker’s opinion on a certain issue or aspect of PPP and determine for myself the pros/cons of their points of view and weigh them against my own opinions. I appreciated that all the speakers were so candid in providing their personal opinions.
I found it interesting to hear from so many politicians on Parliament Day and about their careers and how they came to civil service. I enjoyed most being able to draw my own conclusions from each lecture, and it was nice to see practical/real application of PPP from our first lecture at Long Harbour with Christophe de Taurines but then contrast that with the theoretical/political applications later in the week with Robert Marcus and Lord Neil Kinnock.
When I studied abroad in London during my undergraduate degree, I took a modern British history course that covered UK politics from the Thatcher premiership to present, significant popular culture events, significant events that the UK was involved in, etc. and I think it prepared me more for this course and our time in London in addition to the readings on PPP mixed with the current events on the Royal Mail, the HS1 and others, which I think complimented the course well. It was good to have the structure of academic perspective before going into sessions with speakers that addressed some of the challenges around PPP from a practical application standpoint.
One of the more theoretical sessions on the trip was our lecture in Cambridge with Professor Newbery. Despite its academic nature, I did note that the theme of this lecture was consistent with that of Richard Threlfall’s meeting at KPMG, where both highlighted that the consistent ideological struggle of PPP is that the public sector doesn’t understand the motivations of private sector and vice versa. I think many of our speakers stayed true to this tune and I think it was a key take away from the trip overall.
Featured above: The author pictured outside the Great Hall in Winchester Castle.
I got something out of each discussion that we had, but from my business mind perspective I enjoyed Long Harbour and the discussion on the Fawley Waterside Project the best, as Christophe was an engaging speaker and supported each question in the room as well as stimulated all of us to think about how the project could be successful. Additionally, I enjoyed the presentation style of Richard Threlfall the best as he came prepared to discuss a wide range of topics but allowed natural flow of conversation via questions. I think that was the most engaging and encouraged the most participation of everyone in the group.
I also liked that it was just a meeting, where he was sitting with us, as opposed to lecture style. I was surprised from KPMG that it was almost all climate initiative focused, but given that many of the industries discussed (EVs, water, energy) have flipped between or had opportunities to be privatized or nationalized, it fit in well with the issues facing those industries today with climate change. Something I would have loved to delve into more, especially on the political side with our speakers that work in civil service, would be the aspect of accountability as it pertains to the government.
Featured in left image: The author and classmates in front of Buckingham Palace.
This trip has meant a lot to me as it was a chance for me to return to a country I love and am fascinated by. We share a special relationship with the UK and being able to continue my education outside of the MBA program was enlightening and fulfilling. Highlights for me included continuing the debates and debriefs outside of the lectures, the walking tours, and spending time with my peers as we got to learn about each other’s careers, personal goals, opinions, personalities, etc. I also learned how to ‘punt’ in Cambridge and was proud of myself that I didn’t tip the vessel into the water; it was a great team building exercise! I learned so much from my peers and our speakers and came away from the trip with a deep appreciation for the various career paths of those circling the work of Public Private Partnerships. There is great value in intellectual debates amongst peers and a joining of concepts in how the world works. I wish everyone the best in their continued education journeys and I hope to return to the UK again soon and even follow up with fellow GW alumni I met at the Royal Automobile Club networking event.
Featured in right image: The author "punting" in Cambridge.
