Alexander Ehmann
Alexander Ehmann has found his niche at the Institute of Directors (IoD) at just 28 years old. Part hard work, part good fortune, perhaps. But mainly not worrying too much and being true to himself…
"I'm Head of Parliamentary and Regulatory Affairs for the IoD, and represent our members' interests in government policies that affect them," explains Alexander. "Basically, I try to make sure the policymakers understand how their decisions have an impact on UK businesses, so strong communication skills are fairly crucial."
Don't be too hard on yourself
Alexander always knew his strength lay in getting a point across, but it took a few twists and turns before his skills began to shine. "I've enjoyed a range of roles, without making strict career decisions." he says. "I think as long as you have a general theme or direction, it sort of guides you towards your niche - but you don't necessarily realise it at the time."
Let it flow
Letting things evolve in this way seems to have paid off for Alexander. "My spell as a campaign manager for the Liberal Democrats helped me identify my skills for strategic thinking and dealing with the media. A stint with Golley Slater, a well known London PR firm, then gave me invaluable experience managing business relationships," he says. "And my two years with the PhonePayPlus - a regulatory body for premium-rate phone services - was a more senior role with a small team, which was perfect preparation for my move to the IoD in 2006."
Learn from everything
Each of Alexander's experiences has taught him something about himself and helped him fine-tune his plans for the future. "Being honest with yourself and realising why something isn't quite right for you is the key to a successful career path," he says. "Stay open-minded and communicate well with people, and you'll have no worries. Oh, and work hard, too. That kind of goes without saying, I hope!"
Nature vs. nurture
"I think it's fair to say I always had this kind of career in me," says Alexander of his current role at the IoD. "It feels natural to me, and I love the fact that I face a new challenge every day. But UWE's BA in Politics inspired me to make the most of my abilities. It focused on the art of communicating, and challenging your own views as well as others'. UWE is highly thought of among employers in my line of work."
Page last updated 1 November 2011