Ian McLernon studied for his BSc Recreation Management degree at Loughborough University during the mid-1990s. A passionate sportsman, he played rugby league for Ireland Students and competed in waterskiing at a national level.
Since graduating, Ian has built a successful career in the luxury goods sector, working for brands including Coors Brewing International, Parfums Christian Dior and Moët Hennessy. He is currently CEO for EMEA, Asia Pacific & Global Travel Retail at Rémy Cointreau.
In a recent masterclass session at Loughborough Business School, Ian shared insights from his decades of experience at an executive level, discussing leading with impact, navigating change and strategy development.
Reflecting on his decision to study at Loughborough, Ian said: “When researching universities, Loughborough stood out as the only non-US institution at a truly elite level for sport. That made my decision easy, coming here gave me the opportunity to pursue my sporting passion, whilst studying something that would provide a great stepping stone into a career in the drinks industry.
“The facilities at Loughborough are second to none, they were so far beyond anything I’d seen elsewhere. However, beyond that, it was also the culture of the University which appealed to me. There’s a shared mentality here around aiming for excellence, if you work hard and put the effort in, you can enjoy real success in whatever field you pursue."
Ian has credited his time at Loughborough with a sense of perspective and determination which has helped throughout his career: "When I came to university, I thought I was great at rugby, but I rapidly had a reality check when I saw the calibre of players here.
“The opportunity to study and train alongside British & Irish Rugby Lions, Olympians and world-class athletes gave me a genuine sense of perspective, but also an understanding of the hard work and dedication you need to excel.
"Even with that culture of striving for personal excellence, being on campus is a really communal experience. The University does a great job of fostering collaboration and teamwork, there’s support for developing elite performance without a sense of elitism.
“During my time here, I built long-term friendships that last to this day. Surrounding yourself with good people, people you trust, is absolutely essential to lasting success in business."
For a student from rural Northern Ireland, attending Loughborough proved to be an eye-opening experience: "Northern Ireland can be quite insular, my time here opened my eyes to how big the world really is.
“The community at Loughborough is so diverse and brings together students and staff from around the world. That diversity of perspective and experience is a real strength. Meeting people from across the globe played a big role in developing my interest in living and working internationally. Travel really is the great equaliser; it gives you an understanding of other cultures you wouldn’t otherwise get.”
Considering his long career in the ever-evolving fields of marketing and sales, Ian advised future graduates: "Technology is an enabler, but it can’t do your job for you. Graduates need to build people skills to interact effectively in the workplace. As businesses create more digitally enabled roles, I think there’s a concerning trend of diminishing the art of conversation.
“The ability to have free-flowing, unscripted discussions is a critical skill for professional growth and development.
"The luxury sector is seeing a lot of evolution too. We’ve seen a notable shift away from just selling a product, people are now valuing experiences more than ever before. Creating the time and environment to be able to relax and enjoy outstanding service is a luxury in itself.
“Luxury brands are a marketers dream, they put narrative and legacy at the heart of the offering, drawing on decades or even centuries of history. The best ambassador for our business is the bartender, they introduce people to our products and build a personalised experience around the customer.
“In hospitality and the drinks industry, storytelling and human interaction remain the cornerstone of a successful brand. When I look to the future of business, I think the key for aspirational graduates is that wherever you go in your career, never lose sight of how essential the people around you are.”