Silvia Hernandez
BSc (Hons) Business Studies, 1995
About me
- Senior Partner at EY in Germany
- Studied: BSc (Hons) Business Studies, 1995
About my career
After graduating from Manchester Met, I joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London as part of their graduate recruitment programme known today as ‘People and Organisation Practice.’ I saw an advert for this position in a careers magazine and applied. After a few interviews in London, I was offered the job.
Today I am a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young (EY), where I hold two distinct roles: as the Future Work Now Solution Leader and a Germany, Switzerland, and Austria solutions team member. I am responsible for developing and continuously enhancing our advisory service portfolio, go2market, and multidisciplinary delivery strategy.
As a client service lead partner; I work with some of our key global clients to unleash innovation and commercial opportunities and co-innovate new solutions. In addition to these two roles, I have served on the Markets Board, where I was responsible for setting the strategic direction for the automotive segment, developing and executing our market plan, and the seamless delivery of high quality, global service to our largest clients.
Outside of EY, I am a devoted philanthropist and advocate for equity. I am an ambassador for our global diversity initiatives: Women Fast Forward and Entrepreneurial Winning Women. I was recently inducted into the Generation CEO Network. I am also a frequent public speaker at international conferences, including TEDx, Oxford Analytica Global Horizons at Oxford University, EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, and Daimler Sustainability Dialogue.
My time at Manchester Met was crucial in my development. I learned a lot about my abilities, and the skills that I acquired during my course helped develop the confidence and frameworks that I am still using to understand the problems that we want to solve today.
During my studies, I undertook a placement as it was required to complete my degree. It was also one of the reasons I transferred to Manchester Met from the Spanish University that I was attending. I would encourage anyone to supplement their learning through practical experience in business or not-for-profit environments. Engaging with customers and other stakeholders is an excellent way of figuring out where you are at your best. This experience was instrumental in informing my decision to become a management consultant.
I enjoy being in academic environments and take supplementary courses regularly. It is vital for us management consultants to be in line with the latest research and content development. I completed an MBA a few years after graduating from Manchester Met at the Goizueta Business School (Emory University) and have completed executive education programmes at Cranfield University, INSEAD, and London Business School since then.
I recently re-connected with Manchester Met, and I have been impressed at their willingness to positively influence the students’ lives that attend the University. I am looking forward to going back to the campus soon.
My top tip for students
Be curious; do not be discouraged by setbacks. They are just learning opportunities to prepare you for your future.
You are extraordinary (all of you) and so you just need to keep going until you find the place where you can be at your best, doing great things.
I’m inspired by
So many things. Often I marvel at the extraordinary things that individuals can do when following their purpose. We live extraordinary times.
Why I love Manchester Met
My time at Manchester Met was an awakening for me. It was one of the best experiences that I have ever had.