Taking the next step

A successful Edge Hill University graduate whose career has brought him into contact with the likes of Bill Gates and Mikhail Gorbachev is coming back to campus to inspire his fellow alumni.

Peter Davies will be the guest speaker at an alumni networking event where he will talk about making bold career steps, how to develop your career in a recession - and revealing some of the secrets of the success of some of the high profile characters he has worked with.

Peter trained as a teacher at Edge Hill in the early 1970s, but went on to become a barrister, then worked for a major publishing house before moving to Microsoft, IBM and, latterly, Apple. His career has involved a number of international organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), advising on the legal aspects of electronic commerce, and the United Nations, providing training to lawyers in developing countries.

Since leaving Apple, he has held a visiting fellowship at the Oxford Internet Institute at Balliol College, Oxford, teaching and writing on intellectual property issues, and the UK internet domain name registry Nominet, where he adjudicates on domain name disputes. Peter is also assisting the European Commission to evaluate applications for research funding in the field of Internet safety for children.

Speaking before the networking event, Peter said: "The motto of Gordonstoun School translates roughly as ‘there's more in you than you think'.  It's important to be realistic, but it's also important to aim high.

"Sometimes it looks as if the choices we have to make, about A-level subjects, or college courses or careers, look like matters of life and death, but if you ever feel as if you've made the wrong choice, take advice, research your alternatives and do something about it.

"I've probably changed careers and employers more than is good for me, but I don't regret it. Some of my best job moves had a huge element of luck to them, but I'm a big believer in making my own luck."

If you would like to attend the free event on Thursday 25 March, email the alumni office at alumni@edgehill.ac.uk or call 01695 584861. It starts at 5pm with refreshments, then Peter's lecture begins at 6.15pm. The event is due to finish at 8.30pm after an informal networking session.