Heropreneurs

Partnership: WBS is teaming up with Heropreneurs for the ninth consecutive year to offer a member of the military community the opportunity to turn ambition into real-world impact

One of the finalists in a coveted Warwick Business School scheme is set to a win a free place on an MBA course at this year’s Heropreneurs Awards.

In partnership with Heropreneurs, a mentoring programme delivered by the Forces Employment Charity, WBS is offering a 100 per cent scholarship to a member of the military community on one of its world-class programmes worth up to £69,980.  

The Warwick Business School MBA Scholarship Award 2026, which will be presented at the Heropreneurs Awards ceremony on November 2, aims to help serving members or veterans of the UK Armed Forces, or their family members, take the next step in their careers, and with the MBA providing them with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in the world.

The finalists include a filmmaker and creative content producer who served for 12 years as an Officer in the Royal Navy; a serving British Army Officer with a background in operational leadership, digital transformation and defence innovation; and a former Royal Navy Submariner who is now a senior executive at an AI company.

Also on the shortlist are a former Royal Marines Commando who works for a technology firm providing digital verification and secure co-ordination for people working on humanitarian and security operations; and a British Army Officer and Chartered Engineer who helps to shape military education for leaders progressing into senior roles with the help of his research into neuropsychology.

A panel of judges are assessing those shortlisted, and the full scholarship winner will be announced at the Heropreneurs Awards ceremony to be held at WBS London at The Shard. Significant scholarships also await the runners-up.  

Andy Lockett, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and Dean of WBS, said: “We’ve been very proud to partner with the Heropreneurs programme right from its beginnings in 2018, not only to celebrate the ambition of the Armed Forces business community but also to offer an opportunity through our MBA scholarships to turn that ambition into real-world impact.

“Whether it is rowing across the Atlantic to raise money for military charities or supporting companies in their transition to greener energies, the winners and runners-up of the WBS Award over the past nine years have shown a huge aptitude for leadership and innovation.

 “And this year we have another group of finalists who have shown the same spirit of innovation – the same Change Maker mindset that we champion here at Warwick Business School.”

Heropreneurs Lead at the Forces Employment Charity, Victoria Greenhalgh, was in agreement.

“Each year, the Heropreneurs Awards showcase the talent, determination, and imagination within the Armed Forces business community,” she said. “This year’s finalists have set an exceptional standard.”

She added: “Our partnership with Warwick Business School and the opportunities they provide through MBA scholarships give aspiring entrepreneurs the skills and confidence to turn their ideas into successful ventures. We are proud to work with the School and thank them for their ongoing commitment to supporting innovation in the military community.”

World-class MBA programmes

The winners and runners-up of the Warwick Business School MBA Award will be able to use their scholarship for any of the School’s MBA programmes, including the Full-time MBA, the Executive MBA, the Part-time MBA (London Accelerator) and the Global Online MBA.

The Global Online MBA is ranked first in the world for career progress by the Financial Times' Online MBA ranking 2026. The Financial Times also revealed that the School’s Global Online MBA graduates earn an average annual salary of $234,799 as it named WBS third in the world and second in the UK overall.

Meanwhile, the Executive MBA is ranked first in the world for career outcomes by the QS Executive MBA ranking 2026. The higher education analysts also place the School’s Executive MBA course 10th in the world and third in the UK overall.

Online or in person, both the Executive MBA and the Global Online MBA can be taken either at the Warwick campus or at WBS London at The Shard.

In addition to the Warwick Business School MBA Scholarship Award, the Heropreneurs Awards ceremony will announce the Heropreneur of the Year Award, recognising an individual who has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial achievement, outstanding leadership, and a strong commitment to supporting and inspiring the wider military business community.   

The ceremony will also honour achievements in the categories of Start Up of the Year, Micro Enterprise of the Year, Tech Business of the Year and Product Business of the Year.

Discover more about the School’s Change Makers.