Last week Tony Anderson, ex Sales and Marketing Director of easyJet launched this year’s Masterclass Series, in partnership with NatWest.

Mr Anderson captivated the audience of more than 200 business leaders from across the region, who came to hear how he personally coordinated, implemented and oversaw the start-up airline’s route to becoming a major force in European aviation.

After graduating from Lancaster University in 1987 with a BA (Hons) in Marketing and Italian Studies, Tony joined British Airways as a management trainee. In 1995 he was headhunted to become the first marketing director of easyJet, and soon became founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s right-hand man. Tony was instrumental in the growth and development of the brand, becoming the Marketing Director of easyGroup.

As the easyGroup expanded, and permeated new business areas ranging from car rental and cinemas to a chain of internet cafes, Tony’s experience and business acumen deepened, and he became one of the most respected figures in the corporate world.

Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “We were delighted to welcome Tony back to Lancaster. As a leading marketing figure in the UK, he presented on his wealth of experience in brand innovation; Tony highlighted that it is vital to stay one step ahead, to never stop innovating and that timing is a pivotal part to the success of a business.”

The event was part of a masterclass series run by Lancaster University Management School and supported by NatWest, which involves inspirational speakers with a passion for business sharing their knowledge and expertise to inspire SMEs. Lancaster University Management School has been running business masterclasses for more than 10 years as part of their business engagement programmes and have drawn audiences in the hundreds from across the North West’s SME networks.

To find out more about Lancaster University Management School's masterclasses, visit http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/business/masterclasses/