Warwick Business School are partnering with Heropreneurs again this year to offer transformative scholarships for our prestigious MBA programmes. We encourage applications from veterans, reservists, and serving personnel from the British Armed Forces and their families at any stage in their careers - find out more and how to apply.

After 15 years of service in the Royal Navy, Hugo is preparing for his next chapter thanks to winning the 2025 Heropreneur Awards and gaining a 100% scholarship to study on the Part-Time MBA (London Accelerator). He reflects on bridging the gap between military leadership and commercial strategy and how the scholarship has unlocked an opportunity to elevate his impact, broaden his perspective and shape a purpose-driven future beyond the Armed Forces. 

I first discovered the Heropreneurs Award through the Forces Employment Charity. Undertaking an MBA had always been an aspiration, and I have seen the benefits on friends and colleagues who had attended their own MBA programmes. I have been fortunate to serve in the Royal Navy for 15 years, leading teams on submarines and later working in human performance across Defence.

Much of my work alongside my military career has centred on social impact. I have been involved in building and growing charitable initiatives and Adventure for Social Impact campaigns, as well as professional Business networks (Submariners United in Business). The Armed Forces develops extraordinary leadership, resilience and operational capability but I was increasingly aware that there were gaps in my commercial, financial and strategic knowledge that are difficult to fill from within my day-to-day military roles.

Why I applied

I wanted to elevate my career and broaden my understanding of how organisations truly operate, and develop the tools to lead and manage at the next level. An MBA always felt like the right stepping stone to do that, but it was not about just doing any MBA, it was also about finding the right university, with the right values and the right programme structure etc. So, this felt like an amazing opportunity to invest in putting an application in.

As a father of two young children, I needed a programme that would allow me to study part-time and balance that alongside a full-time job and family life. Warwick Business School offered both that flexibility, combined with world class academic recognition and credibility.

I applied because the opportunity was there, but I also applied because it felt like the right opportunity.

What stood out about the scholarship

I had long been interested in further education at MBA level, but the reality is that MBAs require significant time and financial investment. At this stage of life, with a young family and real responsibilities, that is a big decision. The scholarship removed a very real blocker and created an opportunity that would not otherwise have been available to me at this time in my life.

My experience of the application process

The experience was very positive from start to finish. The team at Warwick Business School clearly explained how to apply, and the online system was straightforward. It allowed me to properly articulate why I should be considered for the scholarship and what I hoped to contribute. The process itself was transparent with sifting stages allowing me to prepare properly for interviews and the presentation element. The WBS staff were friendly and most helpful at every stage of the process.

What winning the award means for my next chapter

Winning the award was huge. It represented an opportunity to develop broader commercial, financial and strategic thinking beyond the operational box I have largely operated in. I hope it will strengthen the capabilities I already have, while filling some or most of the gaps. I’m really looking forward to connecting with different people, different sectors and different ways of thinking.

What I am most looking forward to

I’m starting the Accelerator MBA in March 2026, and there is an element of not knowing what I do not know, which is exciting. I am genuinely looking forward to just getting stuck in, being pushed outside my comfort zone and learning from exceptional academics (and my course mates). The strategic entrepreneurship and innovation modules in particular stand out. The intersection between leadership, strategy and value creation is an area I am keen to explore more.

What I would say to others thinking of applying

This scholarship represents a special partnership between Warwick Business School and Heropreneurs. Understanding the values of both, and how you might fit into that picture, is a strong place to start when shaping an application.

My advice to other service leavers/service personnel is to reflect on the things that we might not realise make us stand out and often take for granted- leading in uncertain high risk environments, wearing responsibility, building teams, delivering under pressure, a sense of humour in the face of adversity. Translating all that into a civilian application can feel uncomfortable but can shape a really authentic application.

At the same time, be honest about where you have gaps. Articulate clearly what you will gain, why it’s important for YOU to be selected for this scholarship and if successful how you might intend to use your new unlocked potential, especially if it leads to positive social impact.