Kelon Nixon Felix

My path into academia is perhaps a little different from that of others. I started by serving six years as a Royal Marines Commando, before moving into industry as an electrical engineer with E.ON (one of the UK’s top utilities companies) for ten years. These experiences shaped who I am today and how I approach teaching here at UCB, where my expertise and interests centre around economics, finance, international business, and data analytics.

I believe that my professional background taught me a number of key skills that I can usefully impart to students here at UCB. For example, in the Royal Marines, I learned resilience under pressure, something I bring into the classroom every day to help students stay calm and focused. Discipline and commitment are also second nature to me, and I’m always on time, prepared, and dedicated to helping my students succeed. Exposure to diverse teams in the military also means I understand how to connect with students from all backgrounds, making my lessons inclusive and supportive. As an electrical engineer, I developed strong technical expertise and a knack for translating complex ideas into practical solutions, which is especially valuable when teaching finance and data analytics. Finally, my experiences managing large-scale projects and tight deadlines have proved a big help when supervising dissertations and developing new courses.

After leaving the industry, I earned my PhD and became a lecturer at Aston University, teaching economics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and later at the University of Gloucestershire, where I focused on international business. I’ve won awards for my research, including the ‘Best Paper’ award at the Academy of Management in Copenhagen.

My current work and research explore how multinational enterprises use tax havens and the economic impacts on developing countries. Staying up-to-date with global economic and financial developments is a big part of my job, and I bring that insight into every class at UCB.

What motivates me most is seeing my students graduate and go on to successful careers. Their diverse backgrounds and eagerness to succeed inspire me every day. I always tell my students that “a little every day goes a long way”.