Brendan Keenan has dark hair and blue eyes.
Brendan Keenan has dark hair and blue eyes.

Alumni Spotlight: Brendan Keenan

Intro

The University of West London is proud to celebrate the achievements of its alumni, especially those who have paved new paths for themselves and others. Brendan Keenan, who studied accounting with us starting in 1985, is one such example. Now Vice President of Finance at Pivot Strategies, Brendan’s journey highlights the power of education and perseverance. 

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Growing up in South East London, attending university was not part of the norm. 

The expectation was that once you hit the age of sixteen, you leave school and get a job. It wasn’t until my maths teacher encouraged me to go to university that the idea even crossed my mind. At that time, I only knew one person who had a degree.” 

Enjoying education, Brendan enrolled in Vauxhall College to complete his A-Levels. It was there that his accounting teacher suggested he consider applying to Ealing College of Higher Education (now called The University of West London) due to its stellar reputation as a business school. 

It’s a bit of a cliché but those were probably the best years of my life. The education was excellent, and it truly helped me grow as an independent person. It was a great experience.” 

Brendan Keenan posing with his wife outside in a park.

Brendan’s university experience was also personally significant – he met his future wife, an exchange student from Minneapolis. 

We’ve now been married for over thirty years. I also made a number of lifelong friends. There are about six of us from Ealing College who still stay connected.” 

After graduation, Brendan pursued his professional qualifications and became a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). He began his career at Goldman Sachs, followed by a role as Senior Management Accountant in the NHS. 

After four years in the NHS, Brendan’s career took him across the Atlantic, where he settled in Minneapolis. 

It was quite early in my career when I moved to the US and it was a bit of a gamble. My CIMA qualifications weren’t that well known in the US at the time.” 

In Minneapolis, Brendan joined Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s largest public relations firms. Over the next several years, Brendan advanced from Controller of the Minneapolis office to Global Revenue Controller for IPG DXTRA Inc. (a division of Weber Shandwick’s parent company the Interpublic Group), where he managed a large team ensuring revenue compliance across the globe. 

Eventually, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position at Weber Shandwick in Minneapolis opened and Brendan was asked to return and take on the role. 

As CFO, you oversee the entire financial operation, from reporting and compliance to advising on hiring, contracts, and company strategy. You’re there to help steer the company in the right direction.” 

Brendan Keenan posing outside in a park.

After over a decade serving as a CFO for Weber Shandwick, Brendan recently joined Pivot Strategies as the Vice President of Finance. 

Reflecting on his career, he credits his university education as a cornerstone of his success. 

Earning my BA (Hons) degree was one of my greatest accomplishments. Going to university was a big step, and it set me on the path I’m on today.” 

Brendan offers advice to those starting their careers: 

Don’t be afraid of hard work. Success takes effort, but if you truly love what you do, you’ll naturally strive to excel. Passion and dedication are key to building a rewarding career.”

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