MBA participants hail the benefits of Black in Business scholarships

Black History Month in the UK may be drawing to a close, taking the last of the October light with it, but the Black in Business scholarship set up by Warwick Business School three years ago is still thriving.

The scholarship was launched in the autumn of 2022 to encourage and support more black people to take up an MBA and reach senior leadership positions in business.

This was in the wake of a survey by consultancy Green Park that found no company in the UK’s FTSE 100 index in 2021 had a black Chair, CEO or CFO, and that the number of black senior executives in the UK’s biggest 100 companies had dropped to 0.9 per cent from 1.4 per cent.   

It also followed the creation, in 2021, of the WBS Black in Business Club, which was founded by MBA students to help advance and promote opportunities for black people in the business world and build racial equality, with the group putting on a series of events and lectures at the School.

Jon Inegbedion, Director of Recruitment and Business Development at WBS, said: “As a school we are committed to diversity and making sure our cohorts are truly representative.

 “What happens here, we hope, will have a knock-on effect, and help to create a better balance in the world’s boardrooms.

“It is an important stepping stone in an ongoing journey that needs to be taken by business schools and the corporate sector towards a more equitable society.”

For current recipients of the Black in Business scholarship, the Award is already having a positive impact.

“This scholarship has made it financially possible for me to study for an MBA,” said Marc-Antoine Kingue Elessa, who started the Global Online MBA in June this year. 

Originally from Cameroon in central Africa, he now works in business development in the wealth management sector in Canada.

“When I saw that this opportunity was available, I felt it was calling my name. I’m very proud to have been approved for a scholarship that recognises my origins and my heritage,” he said.

Marie Florence Koikou-Tago began her Global Online MBA with the January 2025 cohort. “Receiving the WBS Black in Business Scholarship has been truly transformative for me,” she said.

“As an Ivorian professional, wife, and mother of two young boys, it reaffirmed that pursuing an MBA at a world-class institution like Warwick was both possible and worthwhile, even while balancing professional and family responsibilities.”

The opportunity was made “even more meaningful” by a scholarship that “recognised the experience, achievements and leadership journey” she had already built.  

“It eased the financial pressure and gave me the confidence to fully embrace this next stage of personal and professional growth,” she said.

Beyond financial support, Marie Florence also believes that the scholarship “represents a strong message about inclusion, representation, and opportunity – showing that diversity is not only valued but celebrated at Warwick Business School”.

“It has inspired me to use my experience to encourage other African women aspiring to leadership, demonstrating that ambition, persistence and preparation can open doors.”

Marc-Antoine is also hopeful that his opportunity can “inspire others” and is actively sharing his experience of the scholarship with his professional community.

That community has expanded sharply since he started the Global Online MBA, especially after completing his first residential week at the Warwick campus as part of the programme. “To be surrounded by people of different passions and energies – those of participants of African descent and participants from all over the world – has been such a rich experience,” he said.

“It’s been an amazing network of people to meet and be around.”

Another member of that community is Black in Business scholar, Robinson Mashile. "The Black in Business Scholarship has been both a personal and professional catalyst for me,” he said.

“As a South African professional leading large-scale digital transformation projects across Africa and now pursuing my Global Online MBA at Warwick Business School, this scholarship represents more than financial support; it is a statement of recognition and belonging.

“For me, it affirmed that leadership potential from underrepresented backgrounds deserves to be seen, invested in, and amplified on a global stage. On a personal level, it has deepened my confidence to use my voice and perspective authentically, bringing my African experiences into global conversations on technology, strategy, and innovation.

“The scholarship has not only made world-class education more accessible but has also connected me with a diverse, high-achieving community of peers who share a commitment to impact and excellence.”

The community at Warwick is buoyed by the WBS Black in Business Club (BiB Club), which supports black students and professionals within the MBA programmes and beyond.

At the heart of the Club are its core aims to build a community for all black students and allies at WBS, champion black voices on campus and enable access to better job opportunities for black students at WBS.  

Ehinomen Okaiwele joined the BiB Club while he was studying for the Full-time MBA in 2024-25.

“I believe it is important that black and other minority groups are properly represented at the table so that the benefits of diversity, equality and inclusion can be truly realised in society,” he said.

Scholarships on offer at WBS

The Black in Business scholarship is one of a number of initiatives on offer from WBS to bring greater diversity and inclusion to the business world through its MBA programme, and also to ensure a valuable learning experience for those with diverse backgrounds and interests.

As part of the School’s Championing Diversity scholarship programme, there are scholarships on offer for candidates from the LGBTQUA+ community and for candidates from different regions of the world as well as from the local Warwickshire community. There is also an Inspiring Females scholarship for women who demonstrate business excellence and are inspiring role models.