HND Business alumnus, Nick Golding, had what he describes as a “circle of life” moment as he arrived at BU for his first meeting as a Board Member; almost 40 years to the day since he began studying in the same building.
Nick attended Dorset Institute of Higher Education, the forerunner to BU, between 1982 and 1984 and went on to lead a career in accountancy and taxation. He joined the University Board in 2022, having retired from full-time employment and begun seeking opportunities to serve as a non-executive director.
Nick said: “My first Board meeting was in September, at the start of the new academic year, so it was 40 years since I first walked into Poole House as a student. Beyond the fact that it is the same building, the campus is unrecognisable and shows how much the institution has progressed over that time. As I have got more involved as a Board Member, I have also been struck by the greater focus on student wellbeing and on ensuring that students have the best possible experience – from their studies to their accommodation, extra-curricular activities, and support – which is very impressive. I am pleased to be able to give back to the institution that set me off on my career and share some of what I’ve learnt along the way.”
After completing his studies, Nick moved to London and began training to become a chartered accountant. He went on to work for Ernst and Young (now EY) until 1995 before moving into industry to become a corporate tax specialist for BAA Plc, which at that point owned and ran seven of the UK’s airports. After leaving BAA for a four-year spell with Balfour Beatty, Nick was approached to return as Finance Director as the company rebranded as Heathrow Airport.
In addition to his expertise in finance, Nick’s involvement in aviation has also sparked a passion for sustainability. He said: “As you might imagine, this is a significant challenge for aviation companies to grapple with – not just in terms of what happens in the air but also on the ground. During my time at Heathrow, I led on the critical role that finance plays in identifying the risks and growth opportunities, focusing on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impacts and driving the change needed to protect the benefits of aviation in a future without carbon. Bournemouth University is already making great strides in sustainability in the education sector, and I am keen to ensure that we maintain momentum as the issue becomes increasingly important and of greater interest to students and staff alike.”
Nick joins fellow alumnus, Karl Hoods, on the BU Board meaning that two of the 12 external members are BU graduates