Catching up with Shabs Rahman

Shabs Rahman studied MSc International Business with Project Management and graduated from Kingston University in 2017. Shabs is recognised by the British Council as a certified UK educational agent, empowering and supporting students to find their future pathways via educational routes and coaching programs.

He is also a senior strategist providing consultation services across a diverse range of industries, helping businesses to generate millions of pounds in revenue through digital platforms. He has worked with a range of businesses, from start-up to global organisations such as Merlin Entertainments.

How did you develop your career as a business strategist?

I have consistently championed the cause of learning and education, and have always been an advocate ensuring my active involvement in both academic and non-academic endeavours. This commitment was reflected in my role as a research assistant during my studies and now as an educational agent.

My first professional job was as a student support officer at Kingston University in 2015. I completed my BSc Business Management in 2016 with a first-class and achieved numerous awards, such as the Kingston Gold Award and was a runner-up in the Bright Ideas competition. These achievements laid the initial bricks for my path towards becoming a consultant.

I continued my studies with an MSc International Business with Project Management, and as part of my masters I consulted for Arqiva, a British telecommunications company which provides infrastructure, broadcast transmission and smart meter facilities. I truly enjoyed this work and putting forward innovative ways to reduce their yearly operational costs. The coolest part was they rolled out the product!

In 2017, I started my graduate job in project management with Merlin Entertainments, the second-largest location-based entertainment business after Disneyland. My core work was to roll out digital products such as mobile apps at the likes of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Legoland to enhance customer experience and bolster revenue. Working at Merlin allowed me to learn how global business functions.

I then delved into consulting using my entrepreneurship and professional project management experiences. I have always had an interest in business, and as education agent/senior consultant I have supported hundreds of students/new business owners in coming up with innovative start-up ideas and supported their journey to implementation.

What have been your top career highlights so far?

Non-sequentially: As an education agent/senior consultant seeing the growth and results of students completing their studies and becoming professionals is truly fulfilling. Also, seeing a business concept turn into a launch is satisfying.

Working as a project manager at Merlin Entertainments every day was challenging and entertaining! To be able to travel around the country and the world to different attractions for work to roll-out new digital mobile apps was a pretty cool experience!

You have been recognised for pioneering disruptive strategies. Can you give us an example of a disruptive strategy?

As a strategist I have worked alongside influential individuals in different niches, such as global digital marketing agency Rudy Mawer at Mawer Capital, who themselves have worked with A-list athletes such as Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather.

I engaged with a diverse array of enterprises to strategise and effectuate techniques for seamlessly transitioning cold online traffic - originating from unfamiliar sources - into a warm audience that places trust in the brand and ultimately converts into paying customers.

What career advice would you give to students and recent graduates?

Failure is learning! Don't fear failure. Mistakes and setbacks are opportunities for growth and learning.

Embrace learning! Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. Your time as a student is a unique chance to explore new subjects, ideas, and perspectives. It is a safe environment to do so.

Personally, I would say to anyone, being able to recognise your strengths and weaknesses is the key. Once you recognise and accept your weaknesses you can dedicate a plan to improve, which will lead to personal and professional growth.

Which graduate skill do you feel will be most valued in your industry in the future?

Several graduate skills are highly valued and will continue to be crucial in the future. The one which I would point out is adaptability and change management. In rapidly changing environments consultants and project managers often work across diverse industries, each with its own set of challenges and changes. Being adaptable enables professionals to understand and respond effectively to these shifts.

What's your favourite memory as a Kingston student?

Engaging within a vibrant community, actively participating in networking sessions, and notably interacting with individuals hailing from diverse global backgrounds and varying life paths, all contributed to the cultivation of enduring, meaningful friendships.

Tell us something no one would guess about you.

I have a pet piranha!

Catch up with other alumni >