From Placement Year to Graduate Role: My Year at Impulse Decisions
When I started my placement year at Impulse Decisions in May 2025, I honestly had no idea where the year would take me.
Just over a year later, I’m finishing it having built real client relationships, hosted some incredible sporting events and been offered the opportunity to continue working with Impulse during my final year at university, with a full-time role waiting for me after graduation.
Why I chose Impulse
I study Business Management with Economics at the University of Salford, with a Professional Experience Year as part of my course.
My relationship with Impulse actually started much earlier. When I was 15, I completed two weeks of work experience here in 2020 and really enjoyed it.
So, when I had the opportunity to do a placement year, I got back in touch with Tom Hesketh, interviewed with Tom and Ross, and started in May 2025.
A lot had changed since 2020. Back then, Tom was the only person in the hospitality team. By the time I came back, the team had grown significantly, so I knew the experience would be very different.
Getting stuck in
I was thrown in at the deep end straight away, which definitely helped me.
By my second day, I was picking up the phone and cold calling businesses to try and bring new hospitality clients into Impulse.
I worked closely with Craig Johnson early on and learnt a lot from his experience in new business.
At first, calling someone who didn’t know me or Impulse was nerve-racking. Now, it feels completely natural, and some of those first conversations have turned into really good client relationships.
My first ever sale was only £480, but it is still one of the moments I remember most. Getting that first invoice out was a brilliant feeling.
The variety of the year
One of the best things about the placement has been that no two weeks have really been the same.
As a massive horse racing fan, I was particularly excited to experience some of the biggest racing events in the world.
When I first came to Impulse in 2020, it was Cheltenham Festival week and I remember sitting with Tom helping pick out a few winners. Six years later, I was back at Cheltenham, this time helping host Impulse clients at the Festival. It was a real full-circle moment.
Royal Ascot was another huge highlight. I helped host more than 500 clients alongside Luke and learnt a lot from him about looking after clients, making sure they have a great day and building relationships beyond the original sale.
As a racing fan, getting to see Bow Echo in the flesh at Ascot was also one of the personal highlights of the year.
I’ve also travelled to Paris with Ross for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, hosting around 50 clients, as well as experiencing a wide range of other sporting and hospitality events throughout the year.
Being able to sell an experience, build the relationship and then meet that client at the event has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Learning beyond university
University gives you a strong understanding of business, but there are some things you can only learn by doing them.
Actually picking up the phone, meeting clients and communicating with them every day has taught me far more about sales and relationship-building than I could have learnt in a classroom.
My confidence has probably been the biggest change.
Cold calling was something I found difficult at first, but after doing it regularly it became second nature. I’m now much more comfortable speaking to new people, senior decision-makers and clients.
The people behind the experience
The team has made the placement great fun.
The hospitality desk is competitive, but everyone is genuinely supportive of each other and wants to see each other do well.
I’ve had the opportunity to learn from Leanne, Tom, Craig, Luke and Ross, while all of the directors have also given me advice throughout the year.
One of the best things about Impulse is that I’ve never felt like I was simply treated as “the placement student”. I’ve been given genuine responsibility and trusted to get involved.
Reflecting on James’ year with the team, Ross Bousfield, Head of Sport at Impulse Decisions, said:
When we decided to take on a placement student, we were looking for someone enthusiastic, eager to learn, and willing to get involved in all aspects of the business. James has ticked every box. From working across departments and speaking with clients to hosting hospitality trips and supporting our auction events, he has thrown himself into every opportunity. His progression throughout the year has been a pleasure to witness, and he has become a valued member of the team. We wish him all the very best for his final year at university and every success in the future.
A big challenge
At the start of 2026, James gave me a six-figure new-business target to achieve before returning to university.
It was daunting at first and there were definitely points where I doubted whether I would get there.
The biggest lesson was to keep going. Keep making calls, keep following up and keep creating opportunities.
In the end, I completed the target comfortably, which was probably the moment I realised how much I had developed during the year.
From placement to graduate role
At the start of August, conversations began about me staying involved with Impulse after my placement.
The business has invested a lot of time in me and trusted me with real responsibility, so being recognised as someone who can continue adding value is something I’m really proud of.
During my final year at university, I’ll continue working part-time, managing my existing accounts and bringing in new business.
I’ve also been offered a full-time role once I graduate.
It’s a great feeling knowing I can finish university with the security of having an opportunity waiting for me and still feel part of the Impulse team throughout my final year.
Looking ahead
My main focus now is completing my degree. I’m currently on track for a First, so that is my biggest priority this year.
Alongside that, I’m looking forward to continuing to gain experience at Impulse and learning from the people around me.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone considering a placement year, it would be simple: get stuck in.
Ask questions, volunteer for opportunities and make the most of being around people who know how the job is done.
I started the year looking for industry experience. I’m finishing it with experience, relationships, a much clearer idea of the career I want and the opportunity to come back and build it at Impulse.