Property Consultant

TRIUM Global Executive MBA, Class of 2008
Diploma, Master of Business Administration

University of Greenwich
M.A., Management Studies

Leeds Metropolitan University
B.A., Food and Accommodation Studies

After almost 20 years working in the UK student accommodation development and management sector, Marie Barter joined the TRIUM program in 2006 to help build her skills for a move into a global business career.

During the TRIUM program, Marie’s term project team investigated whether the tried and tested UK business model for commercially managed student accommodation (in higher education) would work in other countries. The team investigated the worldwide potential for this, with their project focus on the student housing market in Spain and concluded that a strong opportunity existed for global expansion.

In parallel, Marie took on the role of CEO of Urbanest, a new property development company that had established a student accommodation business in Australia, again showing that there was potential for expansion outside of Europe.

Therefore, immediately after her final TRIUM assignment, Marie moved to Australia from Bristol, UK. Marie commented, “In just two years my life changed dramatically, studying for the TRIUM Global Executive MBA, moving from Managing Director of a FTSE 250 property company in the UK to a start-up in Sydney, and relocating in the process to a new life in Australia.”

How did TRIUM help? Marie believes that she reaped the benefits of the program on several fronts. Firstly, learning new skills and business practices, understanding the global business scene, and mixing with TRIUM colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds and industries helped in the initial transition to her role as CEO of a small entrepreneurial business after previously working in large organizations. Secondly, Marie built a network of global TRIUM business contacts and friends with whom she regularly communicates to discuss new ideas and share good practices. Thirdly, the TRIUM program re-energized Marie’s career and her as a person, and enabled Marie to think strategically and philosophically when her plans had to change in the current challenging economic climate.

After just nine months in the Australian business, it became clear that although Urbanest was initially to have become a high-growth development and management business, it would be better placed in the current economy to focus on land banking, research, and development in the early years in contrast to moving straight into operations. Equipped with her TRIUM EMBA, Marie felt the confidence to move on, reassess her career aspirations, and source different opportunities in Australia.

“Although I would previously have sought to stick with the familiarity of the student sector,” Marie said, “TRIUM has given me the confidence and knowledge to transition to another booming industry in Australian property development and management - the aged care sector.” Currently speaking to several key players in the market, Marie is finding that the TRIUM EMBA is giving her a huge recruitment advantage with employers who recognize the breadth and depth of TRIUM's content as well as its global reputation.

“TRIUM was a fabulous experience when I was studying as part of Class of 2008, but more importantly I have benefited from a TRIUM legacy - a potential new executive career in a new industry, a fabulous new life in a new country, and a new energy to be part of the global business landscape for the remainder of my career.”

Marie is still living in Sydney and is happy for any TRIUM alumni based in, or passing through, Australia to contact her for market advice, to share ideas, or to just socialize (she can recommend all the best beaches!), and Marie can be contacted through the TRIUM alumni network.