Art historian turned technology executive wins top Business and Innovation Award

An Essex graduate who used her degree in art history to build a new corporate career in sales and technology has won a prestigious Study UK Alumni Award in France.

Sarai Lambert, who graduated in 2013 with an undergraduate degree in Literature and Art History, before completing a Masters in Art History and Theory the following year, was handed the Business and Innovation Award during a special ceremony in Paris.

Congratulating Sarai on her success, Essex’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster, said: “We are very proud of Sarai’s achievements and delighted she has been recognised on such a global platform. Sarai’s hard work has seen her build a successful corporate career in France with values and skills she developed at Essex serving as the foundation.

“These awards show the impact of our graduates and the commitment to making a difference. We’re absolutely delighted to celebrate Sarai’s work on this platform. Many congratulations from all of us here at the University of Essex.”

Originally from Norfolk, Sarai said that her move to France was inspired by a friend from Essex, Louise.

When contemplating what she should do after finishing her Masters over coffee one afternoon, French national Louise suggested that Sarai should “come to Paris”.

Sarai took up the suggestion and spent six months au-pairing where she went from speaking minimal French to mastering the language and applying to study a second Masters at Euridis Business School.

Sarai said: “The study of Sales, IT and Business Management was a long way from my comfort zone of the 19th-century novels and Italian renaissance artists. However, teaching at Essex together with employability guidance helped me to utilise the transferable skills that were part and parcel of my degrees.”

Sarai graduated fluent in French and top of her class, having also won a prestigious European Sales Competition which she describes as a ‘huge achievement’, particularly for someone who struggles with severe dyslexia.

Sarai said: “I have applied this ‘no limit’ mindset to everything I do. If Michelangelo could master painting, sculpture, and poetry, I could move to France, learn French, adapt my skills to the business world and become an outstanding executive in a technology company, and that's exactly what I did.

“I have experience studying at two universities, Essex and Euridis Business School. The latter taught me French and critical business acumen, but Essex gave me a foundation of open-mindedness, to see the good in the world and in people and to be the best version of myself.”

Her corporate career began after she was headhunted by French software company, Talend. Sarai was hired to help the company break into English-speaking markets.

Over her three years with the organisation, she successfully spearheaded its expansion in the UK and Eastern Europe, a crucial strategy in post-Brexit trade.

After achieving what she set out to at Talend, Sarai moved across to Gartner, an international business research and consultancy, still based in Paris, where she works as an Account Executive in risk and audit while helping guide clients into the digital future.

Alongside her busy corporate life, Sarai has spent several years mentoring teenage girls at the cusp of deciding what avenue to pursue in higher education.

Her experience of studying two art degrees and using her transferable skills to build a successful career in a new industry serves as a great role model to others.

She said: “My experiences have inspired many young French people to take the daunting leap to study abroad. Having the opportunity to guide and advise young women as they make their way in the world is incredibly rewarding.”

Despite the career pivot, Sarai’s love of art has never waived. She regularly puts her art history degrees into practice giving private tours of the hundreds of museums across Europe and said: “Whilst I do not work in Art History, I am a walking advertisement for the subject I love. I have covered myself in art-themed tattoos and thank Dr Matt Lodder for the inspiration.”