Rene is ready to share his experience with NBS students

​​​​The appointment of a new lecturer at the University of Northampton will provide a real boost to the employability of Banking and Financial Planning students.

With a wealth of experience working in the global banking and audit sectors, Banking and Finance Lecturer René Kumsta is keen to share his expertise with undergraduates at the University’s Northampton Business School (NBS).

“Theory is important, but can only teach you so much,” said René. “But by combining it with real life experience, it puts everything into context, adding real value to the learning experience.”

René’s CV contains a healthy mix of academic and industry experience, with the Munich-born Lecturer initially training as a retail banker, before joining Citibank and then Deloitte in Luxembourg.

He’s also enjoyed spells with US property development firm Hines and German start-up Rocket Internet, and was until recently a PhD research student at Loughborough University’s Centre for Post-Crisis Finance.

“By sharing my experience and insights I will be able to help students stand out from the crowd when they are applying or being interviewed for jobs,” said René.

“They will be able to apply practical knowledge of the real world and not just produce textbook answers – this is something employers always look out for when interviewing recent graduates.”

René joined the University in August and has been impressed by his new colleagues’ skills and experience.

“We have so many talented people at NBS,” he said. “They have so much industry experience between them, with several having their own businesses. We are all able to exchange knowledge and discuss matters, which we can then directly apply to our teaching – so the student can benefit from some of the best business minds in the region.”

NBS’s commitment to an exceptional student experience and exposure to industry is paying dividends, with 96% of its graduates employed or in further study within six months*.

​​​​​​​Northampton Business School has been nominated for a prestigious Times Higher Education Award for the third year in a row – read the news story for more​.
* 96% of our graduates are employed or completing further studies within six months of graduating. Source: HESA Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2012/13. July 2014, compared to full HEI’s for full time study first undergraduate degree leavers.  (96% for the last three years)