In a career spanning 25 years, Renwick Brutus has been an investor, franchisee, CEO, author, and wealth manager. His work emphasises freedom, creativity, and personal and financial success. Renwick has been a member of the LUMS Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) scheme and Honorary Teaching Fellow for the last seven years, partnering with the LUMS community to rapidly transfer insights into entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategy.

We sat down with Renwick and his protégé Lloyd Hemmet, LUMS Business Management and Entrepreneurship graduate, to find out how the EiR scheme can accelerate student learning, foster opportunities for collaboration, and what the future holds for their partnership.

Where did your entrepreneurial journeys start?

Renwick Brutus: "I’ve always been a contrarian and wanted to push boundaries and test the opposite of what others try to impose upon me. When I was a child, that was my parents. As I grew older, it was my teachers; when I went to work, it was my bosses. I felt that the corporate world often stifled creativity and innovation, so entrepreneurship became the outlet where I could test my ideas."

Lloyd Hemmet: “My journey started with the EiP scheme at LUMS. It was one of the main reasons I chose to study Lancaster. I knew I wanted to connect with people like Renwick, who have so much real-world experience. The scheme gave me access to mentorship and networking opportunities that were incredibly valuable for my business development."

What was it like working together as part of EiR scheme?

Lloyd: Working with Renwick while still a student was incredibly valuable for my learning and development. It gave me a ‘real-world’ opportunity to apply my video editing, web design, and technical marketing skills in a business context. Suddenly, this wasn’t just theoretical knowledge; it was real-world application.

Renwick:"I’m always open to embracing the ideas of younger people because they bring new insights that we need, particularly in terms of technology and AI. I feel that this openness is essential to innovate and stay relevant. Young people like Lloyd bring fresh perspectives crucial for maintaining the dynamism needed in business today."

How did your partnership develop?

Renwick:"The development of our collaboration was very natural. Lloyd had technical skills that I didn’t, and I had the business insights that could help him. Together, we worked on several projects where Lloyd’s expertise in technology came in handy. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, where we learned from each other."

Lloyd:"That’s right, I knew I already had the technical skills to succeed, but I needed real-world business exposure to implement them. Renwick mentored me while I contributed with the practical tools to support his business."

Has your understanding of entrepreneurship changed through your involvement with the scheme?

Lloyd: “My understanding has evolved significantly since working with Renwick. I used to think entrepreneurship was more about individual effort, but now I see how collaboration and mentorship are key to success. I recognise the importance of testing ideas in real-world situations and adapting based on feedback. It’s also made me realise that failure isn’t something to fear but a part of the learning process."

Renwick: “That’s right,fear of failure is one of the biggest challenges for budding entrepreneurs. I knew that failure was always possible in my career, but I was confident I could recover from setbacks, allowing me to take more risks."

Do you have any advice for students who are considering entrepreneurship?

Renwick: “Entrepreneurship is about embracing risk. Business losses and setbacks are all recoverable. Joining EiR may seem like a big chance for some students, but taking calculated risks is the only way to succeed."

Lloyd: “I say go for it. The scheme has been pivotal for my career development. It gave me direct access to experienced entrepreneurs like Renwick, which I wouldn’t have had otherwise. The ability to work on real projects and get mentorship from someone who’s been through the entrepreneurial process has been invaluable. It has helped me build my confidence, knowing I have the skills and support to pursue my business ideas."