Jeremy Bateman Williams (MEng Civil Engineering, Hons, University of Liverpool), INSEAD
Before starting his MBA at INSEAD, Jeremy spent 7 years working in the nuclear sector primarily for the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory. Jeremy started as a structural engineer, analysing the integrity of nuclear plant equipment under severe impact scenarios, before moving into a more strategic function that allowed him to support the UK nuclear sector overseas. Jeremy was sponsored to move to Beijing as a diplomat for the Department for International Trade, and later served to promote UK nuclear services and technology in Tokyo, Japan.
What do you hope to achieve through your MBA experience?
My engineering background has given me a great platform on which to build my career and now I want to broaden my experience in different industries and topics such as marketing, finance, economics and accounting. I also believe in the importance of building a strong and diverse network of contacts to enrich my life both professionally and personally and was delighted to be accepted onto INSEAD’s diverse programme, giving me a unique opportunity to deepen my perspective and cultural sensitivity.
When did you start thinking about doing an MBA?
Whilst advising companies on how to succeed in the Japanese and Chinese nuclear markets it became apparent how valuable it would be to better understand the nuances of business. I also felt like there was so much to learn from other sectors, so wanted to find a way to network and challenge my current way of thinking. For me, the MBA programme at INSEAD represented the perfect fit.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In five years, I want to be playing an active role in enabling companies to succeed and expand on a global scale. In the short term, I am particularly interested in continuing to support the energy sector and to be a force for change in overcoming the industrial challenges related to the UK’s net-zero emissions target.
How did you learn about the SMF scholarship?
I first came across the SMF when chatting with MBA alumni and current students, but was also advised to apply directly from INSEAD after being admitted to the programme. To learn more about the scholarship I sought out the advice of previous awardees.
What did you learn by going through the scholarship application process?
Joining an MBA can be daunting given the vast array of opportunities that are open to you, but presenting my career plan to the SMF committee helped me to focus on what I was trying to achieve and why. This self-reflection allowed me to better understand how I wanted to approach my year at INSEAD and how I could best achieve my goals.
What are your expectations of being part of the SMF network after business school?
I am looking forward to being a part of the SMF network; the quality, depth and reach of the alumni are world-class and I want to be able to leverage and contribute to the immense experience that already exists within the network.
How do you hope to support SMF after you graduate from business school?
I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to the group and help others to grow and realise their individual career and life ambitions. I see the mentorship programme for young engineers as a great opportunity to give back and I want to get involved in events held throughout the year. The SMF has enabled people like me to access the utmost level of education, something that feels unobtainable to many because of the costs associated with such an undertaking. Therefore, I would like to be more involved in spreading the word about the SMF to benefit those who otherwise would not have had access to such a life-changing opportunity.
