It was the OU rather than the other institutions because I felt the OU had the most experience and success in setting a course that could fit in with home life and work.What difference has the OU made?As expected, it has helped me to understand how communications fits in. I felt if I understood all aspects of a client's business, I could offer better solutions for their problems.I chose the Open University because I had calculated the lost opportunity costs if I did a full time course, and decided the benefits of a full time MBA would not outweigh the cost. I remember the MD at the time saying "You will be taken on for a six month trial period at pounds 2,750. During that time we will get our money's worth out of you!" I stayed for 14 years.What made you start to study with the OU?Career progression - I saw having an MBA as a competitive advantage. Rather than applying conventionally, I donned a sandwich board, and stood outside the top 20 advertising agencies, getting lots of press coverage, but more importantly a job at Saatchi's.

To help improve my chances, I did a year's post grad course in marketing. I learned a valuable lesson - the need to properly prepare.What was your first job?When I finished my degree, I decided advertising was what I wanted to do. I scraped through my exams, and managed to manoeuvre myself into a Psychology degree at Cardiff University. I remember the day before my first exam, staring at a set of text books, thinking to myself "Should I skim read or choose some subject areas?". I rejected completely the 'orderliness' of the previous 5 years, and spent my time playing rugby, partying and attempting to chase girls (they were still alien to me, having come from an all boys' school).It comes as no surprise that I did no work for my A levels. We were constantly monitored, with no room given to develop your own individuality I then left to go to a London grammar school in Highgate.

Mother was a drama teacher, father, sales director of a car company.What was your earliest ambition?Apart from wanting to kiss Zelda Smith, my childhood ambition was to be a racing driver.How were your school days?At a strict boarding school up till my O-Levels. Paul Arnold, 40, completed his MBA in 1991. Last year he joined Grey Advertising to look after a major account on an international basis. This involves a fair degree of travel - last year alone he went to Australia, New Zealand, America, India, the Philippines, Dubai, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, Poland, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium and France. Before that he spent 14 years at Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, where he first started as a graduate Paul has 4 children, and lives in Harrow What was your family background? One of three boys.