National Graduate Week: Zakariya, Business Management Graduate

What is your job title and what do you mainly do in your role?

I’m a Business Management Graduate. The Business Management Graduate role is a two year, structured programme that provides exposure to head office functions across finance, HR, procurement, IT and commercial teams. It involves supporting financial planning, budgeting and reporting; contributing to HR activities such as recruitment and learning and development; analysing business data to produce insights that inform operational and strategic decisions; and taking part in process improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and service delivery.

The programme also includes tailored development workshops, mentoring, networking through the Early Careers Network and support towards professional qualifications (for example IOSH or NEBOSH).

What projects are you currently working on at the moment?

I’m currently part of the Leadership, Learning & Talent department, working on the development of three Skills Academies — Commercial, People (HR) and Finance — on the M Connect platform. The Academies are built around our “thriving together” communities and capture the technical, business, behavioural and leadership competencies required at each role or work level. The aim is to enable colleagues to take ownership of their career development: to gain and prove competence in their current role, progress in chosen professional fields, and transfer skills into adjacent areas of the business.

My responsibilities include engaging directors and Centres of Excellence and convening governance and cross functional working groups; understanding sub communities’ tasks and activities; defining competencies and career stages; setting proficiency requirements by career stage; linking professional membership and recognition, and aligning qualifications and training to competencies; identifying new technical training requirements; connecting proficiency levels to learning and on the job experience; creating exemplar job profiles and career pathways; and coordinating pilots, refinement and launch.

What do you like best about working at M Group?

As a Business Management Graduate at M Group, what I value most is the combination of broad exposure and strong support the role offers. Working alongside colleagues from different departments and at every level — from apprentices and graduates to managers and directors — has enabled me to build a wide internal network, increase my visibility and learn directly from experienced professionals. The variety of cross functional projects I’m involved in has sharpened my stakeholder management, communication and problem solving skills, while giving me practical insight into how different parts of the business operate. 

How would you describe the company culture and environment at M Group?

The culture at M Group is defined by its values — Responsible, Open, Together and Ambitious. I have found at my time working here that holds great pride in an inclusive and welcoming workplace where you feel valued and supported and encouraged to get involved and develop yourself both personally and professionally. The workplace is holistic, and I have never felt once felt ostracised. 

How does the graduate program support your professional development for your career?

Being on a two year graduate programme has given me an excellent opportunity to accelerate my professional development. The rotation through seven departments across the group has allowed me to work on a wide range of projects, rapidly build transferable skills and gain exposure to different functions and senior stakeholders. It’s expanded my network across the business, offered numerous opportunities to contribute meaningfully, and provided a holistic understanding of the company—preparing me to take on broader responsibilities with confidence.

What are some of the key challenges you’ve faced in your role, and how did you overcome them?

A key challenge I faced but was aware of before joining the role is that you must be adaptable. For instant, in projects I’ve worked on dates and times changed for meetings, plans get revised, colleagues fall sick, etc. So, it’s important to be able and able to think quick on being able to navigate these contingencies and ensure the projects stays afloat. 

What is the biggest lesson you've learned on the graduate scheme?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that communication truly is key. While it may sound like a cliché, clear and professional communication is essential for a business management graduate who regularly interacts with people across the company. It prevents misunderstandings and unnecessary delays, builds credibility, and creates opportunities by opening doors to collaboration and new projects. Practising active listening and choosing the right channels for different messages has helped me build stronger relationships and make more effective, timely decisions.

What is your advice for any university student who’s interested in applying for a graduate programme at M Group?

My advice would be research each graduate scheme thoroughly to make sure it matches your career goals and values. Approach the scheme with a positive, proactive attitude: be eager to learn, get involved, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate punctuality, confidence and openness. The graduate schemes are designed to provide structured support and development so take full advantage of the training, mentoring and networking opportunities to accelerate your early-career growth.