Tell us a bit about yourself

I have spent over 20 years in permanent corporate roles within financial services, including the last seven at C-suite level. Recently, I transitioned to entrepreneurial life, setting up my own risk advisory consultancy to support early-stage lenders and the building society sector.

What first attracted you to Warwick Business School?

While I have completed several executive leadership courses throughout my career, I often found it difficult to make the learnings stick once I returned to the demands of the day job. The appeal of WBS was the opportunity to dive much deeper into these topics at an academic level, while sharing insights with a diverse cohort who bring a fascinating mix of shared and entirely different life experiences.

Why did you ultimately choose Warwick Business School for your MBA?

WBS is highly regarded and consistently sits near the top of the league tables. Beyond the reputation, the structural design of the Executive MBA was a major factor for me. Being on the Warwick campus for four intensive days every six weeks perfectly suits how I learn and allows me to build meaningful, lasting relationships with the wider cohort.

What elements of the programme do you value the most and why?

I highly value the quality of the lecturers; they are incredibly engaged, approachable, and supportive. The teamwork and group assignments have also been a fantastic learning opportunity. We have had to quickly adapt to different working styles, and given the diversity of the group, everyone brings unique strengths to the table.

What is it like studying for an MBA?

It has been an excellent challenge. Having last studied formally many years ago, adapting to academic writing again was an adjustment, but a rewarding one. Exploring business topics in such depth has caused me to reassess my own leadership style and fundamentally changed how I contribute to wider strategic planning.

Tell us about the community at Warwick Business School.

The cohort has been brilliant. WBS intentionally changes our study groups for the teamwork element of each module, which has been incredibly effective at breaking down barriers and fostering a genuine, supportive community spirit across the whole intake.

What do you hope to get out of our programme? What have you actually got so far?

I am only three modules in, but I am already seeing the return on investment. Applying these academic theories to my past corporate experiences and current consultancy challenges has given me a much broader strategic lens, leading to better, more insightful outcomes for my clients. I am actively looking forward to elective modules that will intentionally push me out of my comfort zone to further my development.

How do you find the work/life balance?

The block structure of the programme works incredibly well. Spending four intensive days physically on campus means you are fully immersed in the study environment, away from the immediate distractions of both home and work. It creates a clean boundary that actually helps maintain a healthy balance.

Do you have any advice for anyone currently thinking about studying for an MBA?

If you are in a similar position to where I was - having thought about doing an MBA for years but hesitating - my advice is simply to go for it. It really does not matter how many years you have already spent in senior executive roles; this programme will still challenge you and add significant value to what you can bring to the boardroom.