Coventry University graduate is building a better financial future through purpose and persistence
When Abraham Okusanya graduated from Coventry University with a Master's degree in Sustainable Agriculture in 2006, he never imagined he would go on to become the founder and CEO of Timeline, one of the UK's leading financial planning technology businesses.
Today, Abraham is helping thousands of people better understand and plan for their financial futures. But his journey into finance wasn't carefully mapped out, it began with a part-time job while studying at Coventry University and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities.
Originally from Nigeria, Abraham came to Coventry University through a scholarship programme. Having completed his first degree in soil science and agricultural mechanisation, studying Sustainable Agriculture felt like a natural progression.
He was drawn to Coventry University's international outlook and the freedom his Master's degree offered as a research programme.
"It was a rich learning environment," he said. "We had people from China, India and Africa on the programme and I had professors who were very helpful in terms of coaching and mentoring."
Skills that last a lifetime
More than two decades later, it is the skills he developed at Coventry University that continue to shape his career.
"The biggest thing I took out of the Master's programme was learning how to conduct robust, evidence-based research," he said. "It's been a vital skill that I've applied to everything else I've done."
During his time at university, Abraham started working part-time at Barclays, where he was introduced to the fundamentals of personal finance. What started as a student job soon sparked a passion that took his career in an entirely new direction.
After graduating, he completed a series of professional qualifications before joining the Royal Bank of Scotland's graduate training programme. Four years later, he founded his own consultancy business, applying the research skills he had developed at Coventry University to analyse investment performance and financial planning practices.
That work would eventually lead to the creation of Timeline.
Building a business with purpose
For Abraham, however, working in finance has always been about people rather than profit.
"Personal finance has a huge impact on everyone's life," he explained. "There will be a point for all of us where working is no longer an option, so we have to make decisions today that will shape our futures. Helping people figure that out is what I've dedicated my life to."
Through Timeline, Abraham is using technology to help people visualise and better understand their financial futures. He believes innovations such as artificial intelligence will continue to transform the sector by making financial planning more accessible and helping people make more informed decisions.
Financial planning for the future
While some people are worrying about the impact of technology and AI, Abraham is optimistic about what that future could look like.
"I hope we get to a world where we can put more of our day-to-day financial decisions on autopilot without losing control," he said. "That's the promise that technology offers."
Alongside his professional success, purpose remains at the centre of everything Abraham does.
"What is the point of life if we come here and don't make a difference to somebody else?" he asked. "I believe that each and every one of us has a purpose for our lives. For me, it's about making a positive difference to all the people that I come across in my journey."
Never stop learning
When asked what mindset has been fundamental to his success, Abraham's answer is simple – persistence.
"I like to think of it as being pigheaded but in a positive way," he laughed. "By that, I mean having the relentless focus to never give up."
It's a message he is keen to share with today's Coventry University students and recent graduates.
"There is a lot of doom and gloom in society today," he said. "Be positive and be relentless in the way that you approach life and learning. Never stop learning, even after you've graduated, and never, ever give up."
Making the most of every opportunity
For international students, Abraham's advice is equally straightforward: make the most of every opportunity available to you.
"Don't be afraid to push yourself in an environment where you might think that you don't belong," he says. "Take the opportunities that are presented to you, whether that's internships, conferences or summer programmes. You never know what door they might open."
You're going to be okay
Looking back on his own journey, there is one thing he wishes he could tell his younger self.
"I was so apprehensive about what the future held," he said. "I would simply say - you're going to be okay.
From studying sustainable agriculture to transforming financial planning, Abraham's story is a reminder that careers don't always follow a straight path. Sometimes, the opportunities that shape our futures are the ones we never expected.
Abraham was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in technology from Coventry University in recognition of his leadership in transforming financial planning through innovative, evidence-based methodologies and an unwavering commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion within the financial sector.
