Alum of the Month

Philip Hannay

Philip Hannay

June 2011

New York Program

September 2000 Intake

What and where did you study before your Mountbatten internship?
Law and Accountancy, Kings College, University of Aberdeen.

What made you apply for the Mountbatten programme?

A gregarious spirit. After years of spinning soul-jazz-funk, break beat, hip-hop and deep-funky house in Aberdeen, New York appeared pregnant with promise. The trigger though was the ubiquitous Mountbatten programme poster.

Describe your sponsor company and your role within it.

Wall Street investment banking giant, Goldman Sachs. I worked in the Information Management Group, part of what I understand is now branded Human Capital Management. The role was a good one. Hard work, good discipline and lots of candy. I was initially based in the GS HQ at 85 Broad Street and latterly at 180 Maiden Lane. The role included exposure to talent acquisition-recruitment/orientation, immigration, data processing and database management matters.

What was the highlight/most memorable moment of your working experience during this year?
9/11 was nonpareil.

What was the social highlight/most memorable moment during this year?

There were a number. Highlights include spending thanksgiving with an Italian family from church; coaching the Goldman Sachs basketball team to the B division playoffs, voluntary work at the Al Smith recreation centre in the Lower East Side, DJ at Mountbatten house parties and at several gigs across Manhattan; being adopted into a Clemson fraternity at a Baltimore bachelor party; gate-crashing a Hollywood wrap party at Studio 54; snowboarding in Vermont; my flatmates.

Please share a little wisdom/philosophy that you acquired during your internship

Be perspicacious and network.

If you could change anything about your internship, what would it be?

Buy a little less vinyl and invest in healthy food and exercise.

What happened after completing the year - what did you do next?
I returned to Scotland, entered the legal profession, and realized quickly that being an intern was at least one step up from being a trainee lawyer.

Where are you now in your working life and what do you do?

I am currently director (partner) of an emerging corporate law firm based in Glasgow where I run a mixed corporate technology practice. I was awarded IP Lawyer of the Year in 2010 and have been nominated for the same again in 2011. I also teach corporate and finance law to post-graduates at the University of Glasgow. I hold an honorary position in connection with Glasgow School of Art and I trade a little on a private basis.
Do you have any future plans that you would like to realise & what are they (career & social)?
I am considering what, if any, expansion of my business can be made into London, Aberdeen and perhaps Manchester. I am marking a decade of post Mountbatten life by getting married. I would like to de-clutter. A wee white and quiet weekend house by the ocean may be useful. Underneath it all, I wait to see what charitable work I am called into.

Is there any other information that you would like to be included?

I am thankful to Mountbatten for facilitating the programme. In the long run, it can be a game changer.