Maria Bukhari
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Fil Industries Private Limited
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
After completing my studies at Exeter, I pursued a Master’s at UCL, graduating in 2022. Shortly after, I joined FIL Industries as Head of Operations, where I managed day-to-day operations, streamlined processes and led cross-functional teams. As the owner of the company, I now hold the position of Group Director, overseeing all strategic and operational aspects of the business. In this role, I focus on driving growth, developing teams and fostering innovation across the organization while ensuring long-term sustainability and success.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
With a background in International Relations, I’ve always been curious about how things work on a big scale and it turns out running a business is the ultimate hands-on lesson. What I enjoy most is juggling strategy, operations and people, and seeing it all come together – kind of like orchestrating a small, ambitious country!
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
To name a few, I was a member of UNICEF, Women in Politics Society and the Baking Society. I was also active in volunteering and fundraising initiatives.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
What I enjoyed most about my programme was exploring global politics and international relations, analysing complex issues, and debating different perspectives. The biggest highlight was my dissertation, where I got to conduct interviews and research first hand, which gave me an amazing opportunity to apply theory to real-world situations and engage directly with experts.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
There are countless reasons why I chose Exeter but what stands out most is the welcoming and vibrant community. The beautiful campus, wide range of societies, and countless opportunities to get involved made it easy to explore my interests and meet people from all walks of life. For me, Exeter wasn’t just a place to study – it was a place to grow, connect and truly feel at home.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
My degree in International Relations and Politics really shaped how I think and lead. It taught me to see things from different perspectives, communicate clearly and make thoughtful decisions, all of which have been incredibly useful in running a business and working with diverse teams.
