Tom Kosuge
Tax Manager, EMEA & APAC at Insightsoftware
Distance Learning MBA (2020-22)

Tell us a bit about yourself
I am currently a Tax Manager at a PE-backed Fintech start-up, Insightsoftware, managing all their tax matters in EMEA and APAC. Prior to this role, I gained around 10 years’ tax experience in various industries ranging from: Banking, Consulting, Law and Financial Services. With my venture into Tech, I felt that I was correctly positioned to witness the next revolution in tax. 

I first discovered my passion for tax during Law School whilst doing a tax module and soon focused on international tax during my LLM. I loved how tax affected everyone, but no one (apart from the daring few) wanted to understand it, with its intricate complexities and annual evolution. 

My desire to learn did not stop there, and I found myself embarking on the MBA for similar reasons – how business people make decisions that affect everyone but often do not pursue learning its multi-faceted acumen.  To progress, I saw it as a necessary step for my further career advancement.  

What first attracted you to Warwick Business School?
I looked at all the part time and distance learning business schools in London. But Warwick Business School had a wider offering: its ability to adjust the study speed; Warwick week; and the option to attend face-to-face lessons. Finally, the ongoing support you receive from WBS, with its dedicated DLMBA admin and WBS-specific career team, helped with its attraction.  

Why did you ultimately choose Warwick Business School for your MBA?
There were two deciding factors in choosing WBS, its distance learning global ranking and its business school history. The history factor is often a consideration that is overlooked but I am a firm believer that the real value of an MBA comes from what you do with the network it creates. With WBS’s history, its notable alumnus and on-going social events, it is easy to maintain ongoing connections. The value of an MBA in general would be diminished if you went with a new business school provider that have yet to set this up. 

What is it like studying for an MBA?
I’m reminded by a quote by Charles R. Swindoll, which goes “Battles are won in the trenches, in the grit and grime of courageous determination; they are won day by day in the arena of life”. 
The pursuit of an MBA is a battle like no other, with peaks and troughs, but with determination it can be won.  

Do you have any advice for anyone currently thinking about studying for an MBA?
The main advice anyone can give is do your own research and really try to understand what you personally want to get out of the MBA. 

No doubt there have been countless discussions with family/friends, and conversations in your head about whether an MBA is a worthwhile investment. Circumstances are different for everyone, and it is a significant investment, not just in finances but importantly in time. So decide wisely! After many years of deliberation, I personally took the plunge and have not regretted the decision.