Michael Piddock
Founder and CEO at Glisser
Name: Michael Piddock
Matriculation Year: 1998
Subject: Economics and Management
Occupation: Founder and CEO at Glisser
LinkedIn: Michael Piddock
“While at Hertford I was fairly sure I wanted to go into advertising, but I didn’t really focus on applying for anything until I was well clear of my exams. I quickly discovered that the preconceptions of an Oxbridge Economics degree meant it was perhaps more of a hindrance than a help in the hip world of AdLand. Instead I found a calling in marketing, which was becoming more data-driven and analytical with the first Internet boom, yet still creative enough to be interesting.
The big lightbulb moment for me was working for one of the UK’s early entrepreneurs, before the term became as popular as it is now. Back then, most people could name Richard Branson, Alan Sugar and James Dyson, and that was it. This guy was in that league. He bought a company for £1 and grew it to half a billion, and won the Le Mans car race in his spare time. The excitement of being able to spin a company towards the next idea, to be involved in that process and executing on that brainwave, and the camaraderie of being part of the group that delivered it was intoxicating.
I moved to another even smaller entrepreneur-driven company, starting at an even earlier stage, in a totally new industry, and got the same buzz. I also learnt a lot, fast. The natural next step was to go out on my own. I’m now five years in, making tonnes of mistakes, and still learning. It’s a cliche, but it’s a rollercoaster. And you can’t beat sitting right at the front.
If you want to chat about whether it’s the right path for you, or want to spend time in a small company to get a feel for just how different it is to being another number on a large graduate recruitment programme, get in touch.”
If you would like to get in touch with Michael, message him directly on LinkedIn or contact the Development Office who can forward on your email.