US2U Consulting Founder & CEO Rachel Blackburn MBE has been featured in the Open University's January 2026 Magazine. Rachel graduated from the Open University with her MBA in 2004, which was the catalyst to her founding US2U Consulting in 2006.

The magazine feature looks back at her being recognised with an MBE for Business & Exports in the 2025 New Year Honours List, and the role her Open University MBA played in this:

From MBA to MBE!

OU MBA graduate Rachel Blackburn was awarded an MBE in the [2025] King's New Year's Honours List, for services to the Business Community and to Exports. As a Director of a management consultancy, Rachel's prestigious accolade particularly references her work with local, national and international businesses over many years to support their growth strategies.

“I see the achievement of the OU MBA as a critical part of my journey towards being awarded the MBE. It has opened doors to so many opportunities, not just through the competence gained but also via the confidence and credibility it has given me in the UK and internationally.” – Rachel Blackburn MBE

 Celebrating Rachel on the Open University website

Our last e-newsletter of 2025 has been published - featuring a roundup of our news from the last quarter of the year.

This edition includes US2U's visit to the British Embassy in Tokyo; Rachel Blackburn's recent UK Export Academy Webinar; her lead interview feature in Norfolk Director Magazine and our sponsorship of UEA's Disability Week 2025.

We also recently delivered a Rising Stars employee growth programme for a pharmaceuticals client; attended several charity events; and Rachel Blackburn participated in the first meeting of the new Norfolk Ambassadors initiative.

Read all this below:

US2U Consulting E-news December 2025

US2U Consulting Founder and CEO, Rachel Blackburn MBE, is the lead interview feature in the Winter | Spring 2026 edition of Norfolk Director Magazine.

This edition of the prestigious publication, part of UK Director Business Magazines, is built around the theme of 'TRUST'. Rachel's interview features her discussing her entire career: spanning her early years, what shaped her towards a career in management consultancy, her founding US2U Consulting in 2006, and her awarding of an MBE in the King's New Year Honours List 2025.

Read Rachel's lead interview in Norfolk Director Magazine here

Our October e-newsletter has been published - explore this to find out about our latest news and highlights from the summer.

This edition includes Rachel Blackburn's latest visit to New York in September, the launch of the Norfolk Ambassador's Programme at The Royal Norfolk Show, a work experience opportunity we recently offered an aspiring consultant, plus how US2U Consulting have supported Norwich Pride and one of our client's 200 year celebration.

US2U Consulting Founder & CEO Rachel Blackburn MBE was also featured in the October 2025 Norfolk Magazine. Explore our e-news below:

US2U Consulting E-news October 2025

Package: c£60k plus performance related bonus, benefits and relocation package

Location: South Norfolk

With a reputation for manufacturing high quality products and delivering excellent customer service in an exciting industry, our international client is looking for a Financial Controller who loves numbers and working with MRP systems. This role also has leadership responsibility for a small Finance Team so the successful candidate must be great at leading, motivating and developing people too.

We seek someone with ambition who can grow this role in a highly respected company that specialises in the manufacture of vehicle recovery equipment for customers worldwide.  

Working with colleagues you must be able to demonstrate your ability to: 

• Build strong, professional relationships with colleagues in the UK and in the US

• Work with colleagues to produce timely and accurate management accounts and cashflows

• Manage debtors, VAT, financial risks and exceptions efficiently

• Review costs and selling prices to enable competitive advantage

• Lead, manage, motivate and coach the Finance Team members to achieve high standards

This role requires a strong accounting background and confidence managing financial information in a manufacturing environment, ideally engineering -related. A finance or management qualification is desirable along with great commercial awareness, communication and organisational skills. You will probably be a strong character who can work well with colleagues to influence positive change if it’s “best for the business”, sometimes in a challenging environment.

If you are calm under pressure, passionate about giving great customer service, have excellent numerical, accuracy and analytical problem-solving skills then please apply.

Please send your CV to: rachelb@us2uconsulting.com or telephone 01603 716852  

View the vacancy as a PDF here