SMBA Cohort Learns From Global Leader
Brett Himbury shares his business expertise with Sports MBA Cohort.
On Monday September 26, 2022, the San Diego State University Sports MBA 2023 cohort was joined by Brett Himbury to share his advice and expertise as an MBA graduate of the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM). Mr Himbury has 40 years of business experience, particularly in the financial services and funds management industries, which he was able to distil down into key takeaways for the SMBA cohort of 2023. He is highly regarded as the Chief Executive Officer of IFM Investors for 10-year period in between 2010-2020, where he led the growth in funds under management from $AUD20 billion to $AUD167 billion, as well as globalising the Australian business. Now retired from executive positions, he is a member of several boards where he provides his knowledge and strategic advice across numerous aspects of the businesses.
Mr Himbury’s passion and alignment with purpose was evident in the way he spoke. His focus on ‘deeds not words’ was something that has remained with him since high school and has been a consistent message across his business career. He urged the SMBA students to embody what it is to be an MBA as opposed to merely having an MBA, whilst maintaining the balance that is necessary to be an outstanding human being.
‘It was great privilege to be asked to share some insights with the cohort,’ said Mr Himbury. ‘I enjoyed the opportunity to share my experience as both an MBA Alumni, and someone who has applied the many learnings in a business career that spanned financial services for 40 years and traversed the globe. I hope the insights prove to be valuable and above all else, that everyone has strengthened their focus on not simply ‘having’ an MBA but more importantly, ‘being’ an MBA. My sense is the cohort is exceptionally well placed to do so and I wish them every success.’
Gaelen Kepics (SDSU SMBA ’23) said of the experience, stating ‘Brett was an incredibly insightful guest with lots of knowledge of the global landscape in the business world. I love how he even recognized each state being different from one another in the US, comparing to country differences in the EU and Asia. I wish we could have heard from him for another hour if not more!’
To be able to host people and speakers from around the world and across many aspects of business reflects the quality of the SMBA program and its students and graduates. It mirrors the increasingly global nature of the sports business, where previously national pastimes are continually branching out into other markets. However, as Mr Himbury reminded the class, it is imperative that we grovel in the detail and do the little things well so that it liberates us to be able to think this big.
