Alumni

Luke Ettenfield-Nann

Career Path: Senior Corporate Finance Manager, Knights Corporate Finance (Part of K3 Capital
Location: Manchester, U.K.

I graduated from Northumbria in 2016 after completing the four-year MLaw degree. I am now a qualified Charted Accountant currently working at Knight Corporate Finance (part of K3 Capital) as a Senior Corporate Finance Manager predominantly focussing on Mergers and Acquisition within the UK TMT sector. Having graduated and at that time being unable to secure a commercial law focused training contract I looked to other ways I could enter a commercial career given my personal interest in this area. This led to joining the accountancy firm EY in the summer post-graduation on their 3-year graduate training contract to become a Chartered Accountant within the Audit service line where I was able to gain an understanding of Accountancy and Finance.

After completing my training contract and passing my Chartered Accountancy exam I explored other roles within EY where I could leverage my knowledge gained at university as well as my commercial interests which prompted me to move to the Restructuring and Insolvency service line. This role involved dealing with distressed businesses offering financial advice and in some case the sale of the business in the form of accelerated mergers and acquisitions. I was then subsequently asked to join TalkTalk to be their M&A manager (focussing on the buy side of the deal) before earlier this year being approached to rejoin the Advisory industry but this time on the sell side at Knight’s where I now focus on selling companies within the TMT sector.

What are you doing now?

I predominantly deal with advising shareholders on the sale of their businesses. This involves a wide range of process which pull from Sales / Finance / Legal / Project Management as we navigate the M&A process.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

I was originally drawn in by the ability to complete my law degree alongside the exemption from the LPC as well as being given practical 'on the job' experience via the Law Office.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

My studying was a mixture of large lectures and smaller seminar classes alongside individual coaching for the LPC elements.

How connected was your course with industry?

There was multiple opportunities to network, either via guest lecturers attending the course or via the wider Law and Business school career events.

What was the best thing about your course?

Being given the ability to have direct hands on experience rather than being purely theoretical in nature, this allowed the transition into an advisory career much more smoother.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

One key skill would be the ability to understand legal principles contained within the legal documentation and the impact that slight changes in wording in the drafting of documents can have on my client. Additionally, being able to stay cool when dealing with heated negotiations which I developed during my time in the student law office dealing with clients as a student.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

Key highlights of my time at Northumbria University would be the opportunity to live in and experience Newcastle, this gave me the opportunity to meet fantastic people who I still consider my dearest friends despite going down differing career paths across the world.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

Take all opportunities that come your way whether that be a extra curricular networking event or a light hearted social. These opportunities take up some personal time but always seemed to open up new opportunities.