Your journey to Warwick 

Please tell us a bit about yourself and what prompted you to study an MBA at this stage in your career. 

Over the past 21 years, I have built my career from operational roles through to senior executive positions, including Managing Director, Chief Implementation Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Much of my understanding of business came from hands-on experience. At a certain point, I wanted to deepen that understanding through established theories and frameworks, and make better sense of an ever-changing business environment. The MBA offered an opportunity to bring together what I had learned through experience with a more structured academic perspective. 

Why did you choose Warwick Business School and the Global Online MBA? 

I knew I needed an online programme so that I could continue working while studying. I researched business school rankings, accreditation and feedback online. Warwick Business School stood out for its strong rankings, triple accreditation and the positive experiences people described. Its emphasis on developing change makers also caught my attention and resonated with me. 

Your learning experience 

How have you found online learning and what benefits does it offer you? 

An MBA is demanding. It takes a considerable amount of time and changes how you organise your life around work, family and studying. I see that commitment as an investment in my future, and the support of my family has been essential. The online format makes it possible to combine these responsibilities. I've found Warwick's learning platforms intuitive and easy to navigate. 

What is it like studying for an MBA, and which elements of the programme have you valued most? 

What I value most is how quickly I can put the learning into practice. Strategic Advantage was one of the first modules that really impressed me. Operations Management, Corporate Reporting and Finance gave me useful frameworks with immediate relevance to real business situations. Marketing encouraged me to step back and consider products, customers and the wider environment from different angles before making decisions. Every module brings a different perspective, and together they are helping me understand how the different parts of a business connect. 

How did Residential Week enhance your Global Online MBA experience, and what were the highlights of the week? 

Meeting classmates face to face during Residential Week made a real difference. Informal conversations helped me understand people beyond our online interactions—their backgrounds, personal perspectives and where they were coming from. That understanding makes it easier to find common ground and work together in groups. It also creates the basis for meaningful relationships that can continue long after the MBA. 

Your career development  

What were your career goals when you started the Global Online MBA, and how have they developed since then? 

When I started the MBA, I had just joined Mastercard as a Director of Product Management. As I progressed through the programme, I realised I wanted to move towards a more strategic role where I could combine my professional experience with the knowledge and frameworks I was gaining. That ambition has become clearer through my studies. 

Has the programme influenced your career direction or encouraged you to consider new opportunities? 

I haven't made a major career move yet, but I'm already applying what I learn in my current role, particularly when thinking about product strategy and go-to-market approaches. The MBA helps me consider the broader business context and bring more structure to strategic decisions. 

What skills, knowledge or behaviours have you developed through the programme that have benefitted your career? 

The programme has encouraged me to challenge the status quo and question assumptions. In discussions, I now make a more conscious effort to consider different angles, listen carefully to other people's ideas and stay open to opinions that differ from my own. It has broadened my understanding and changed how I approach business problems. 

Has the programme helped you progress in your current organisation? 

The knowledge I'm gaining helps me communicate more effectively with colleagues across different functions. I can discuss financial, product, operational and strategic topics using the relevant terminology and frameworks. Having that common language makes it easier to explain ideas clearly and contribute to cross-functional conversations. 

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience of the Global Online MBA? 

One of the biggest personal changes has been returning to a consistent routine of intensive learning. I've taken courses before, including Harvard courses, but those were more occasional. The MBA keeps my mind active almost all the time. I compare it to training for an Ironman: you may have exercised now and then, but preparing for something of that scale requires regular training, discipline and endurance. It isn't easy, but you understand the goal you're working towards. That's how the MBA feels to me—a sustained intellectual challenge with a purpose.