Who is Monique Farquharson?

Monique Farquharson stands as an accomplished professional, seamlessly navigating diverse roles across teaching, business development, entrepreneurship, and consultancy. She has worked in Jamaica, Japan, the USA, and the UK and is a true Global trotter.

Currently employed at Accenture as a Customer Loyalty and Insights Manager for one of the UK’s largest loyalty programs, she also holds the position of Head of Events for Accenture UKI Intelligence Capability. Monique’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as the Founder and CEO of The Matcha Yaad, Britain’s first Jamaican Matcha Company.

This venture beautifully blends Japanese tradition with Jamaican flavors, symbolizing a fusion of cultures, wellness, and fearless culinary innovation. A proud Aston Business School graduate, Monique received the prestigious MBA Student of the Year 2022 award at the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards.

As the inaugural recipient of the Aston Enterprise Scholarship, she actively engaged in impactful consultancy work, played a key role in delivering TEDx Aston University, and earned recognition as a Global Business Champion. Monique’s journey reflects resilience, global engagement, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in business education.

What Inspires You?

I find immense inspiration in my mom, who embodies resilience and serves as a living example of perseverance. A few years back, as she contemplated the next chapter in her life after 20 years as a practical nurse, I suggested two options: relocating to the UK with me or going back to school. Despite sacrificing her education to raise me and my sibling, she never abandoned her dream. At the age of 51, she courageously enrolled in nursing school, completing her studies successfully two years later. I am incredibly proud of my mother, who remains my ultimate source of inspiration for never giving up on her aspirations.

What message do you have for women and girls this International Women’s Day?

As someone who has never been shy of chasing my dream, my message is to do just that!

Face your fear and do it, whatever ‘it is’.

I am a walking example of this, after all, I quit my job, moved to Japan without knowing the language/anyone, and lived there for 2 years part of which was during the covid pandemic because of a dream. Further to this, I hopped over to the UK, again, on my own in pursuit of the same dream.