Class of 1995
BA Hons History and English
Co-founder and Strategy Director of CreateFuture
Nathan Fulwood is the Strategy Director and co-founder of CreateFuture, an innovation and design company that drives sustainable growth through product and service design. He also has over 25 years’ experience in brand and digital strategy.
Over his career, Nathan has worked with brands such as Orange, Expedia, Penguin RandomHouse, Tesco Bank and adidas. A skilled facilitator, brand copywriter and design-thinking advocate, he’s also probably top-ten tallest people in the business.
Find out more about Nathan’s work on the CreatureFuture website and on LinkedIn.
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
No
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
I don’t have very many photographs of myself from YSJ – as they say of the nineties, lots of memories, very little evidence!
This photo is from a work trip to San Francisco where I was invited to the Pixar Studios and met two of my heroes.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY?
Studying History in particular in the old Gray’s Court, inside the city walls, felt like a privilege. I appreciated the small size of the University, the community it fostered and the pastoral care available to all students. It also gave me the opportunity to work and play in the US for 2 semesters as part of an exchange.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
For the opportunity to study history in a beautiful and historic city.
WHY HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
Most of my career has been in digital consulting, which actually stems directly from my time at St Johns. On exchange in the US, I got my first email address, way before even the WWW was launched. It kindled an interest in technology that I took into my first jobs, and throughout.
I founded a consultancy, CreateFuture, in 2016, which was acquired by a larger firm 8 years later. Developing as a consultant, the foundation I gained at University, studying History and English, was crucial. It gave me critical reasoning, creative, verbal and written skills that are essential in my role.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?
I chose History and English literature because, at the time, they were the subjects I enjoyed the most. As an 18 year old, I had no idea what I wanted to do after University, so there was no point choosing a specialised subject. I knew that history and English would be adaptable to every career, as they cover problem solving and communication – essential skills.
WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?
Studying History in Gray’s Court, and the small size of the lectures and seminar groups. I also enjoyed the exchange to the US where I got to study under a renowned Shakespeare scholar and studied 60’s and 70’s American popular culture.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Enjoy your time at University. Enjoy it socially, but lean into your subject. You will rarely get the time, freedom and permission to focus so closely on one topic again in your working life.
If you would like to hear about his time studying with us, his amazing career so far and listen to some of his advice: