For students interested in starting their own business, the University of Sunderland in London can offer a series of one-to-one business advice/mentoring sessions to support you in turning your idea into a reality. This is for students who have:

  • a viable business idea
  • a clear vision of how it will work
  • gone some way to write a business plan
  • are committed to putting their plans into action
  • perhaps completed the Business Enterprise Certificate (but not essential)

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please email alice.mcdougall@sunderland.ac.uk or call into the Careers Office on the fourth floor.


Our advisers are: 

Philippa Seal MCIM MA MBA is a Chartered Marketer and senior strategic business advisor. Her broad, practical business experience has been gained working in business, as an owner and entrepreneur. It is further underpinned by an MBA from Cass Business School. A catalyst for change, she has 20 years plus business experience and has helped aspiring start-ups and growing business owners shape their businesses.

Specialisms: Understanding the potential viability of a business, focusing an individual’s enthusiasm into practical reality, advising students from differing backgrounds and ages, communicating practical, up to date, real-world business models and practices.


Dr. Roger Holdom is an award-winning consumer sales and marketing leader, highly successful in Europe and North America. Roger has over 20 years’ experience of multichannel operations in start-ups through to global corporates. Roger is a dynamic marketer with demonstrable success, scaling businesses to increased profitability whilst developing brands and growing revenue. Roger has experience in multiple sectors including media, retail, e-commerce, financial services, and entertainment. Roger is happiest when growing businesses, connecting with consumers and increasing shareholder value. Roger holds a Doctorate in Marketing, an MA in Branding and an MBA.

Specialisms: Digital media, marketing, business development, strategy, e-commerce.


Marie Milligan is Founder of Wild Women Do, a Creative Business Coach, Consultant, Entrepreneurship Educator and Writer based on a canal-boat in Little Venice and Morocco. She has 12 years expertise including in the HE sector, of advising, coaching, training and writing resources to teach students, graduates and professionals how to be successfully self-employed, freelance, start-up and grow a small business in the UK and internationally.

Specialisms: Idea-Clarification and Visioning, Strategy and Business Planning, Product Design and Launch, Marketing and Confident Communication. She helps you go from idea through to launch and sustain yourself and grow your business beyond.