What did you do prior to joining the MBA?

Before joining the MBA, I'd had a varied 12-year career in NHS transformation, and at the time of joining was an interim consultant working on urgent care transformation projects.

Why did you decide to do an MBA?

I decided I wasn't learning much in my roles in terms of models and theoretical frameworks I could apply to my work. I considered an MSc specific to healthcare, but after watching many TED talks decided that exposure to colleagues in industry settings would be beneficial to both my skillset and the way I approached my work. I wanted to be able to offer a different angle and perspective to my colleagues when problem solving, and the EMBA has certainly provided me with this.

Why did you choose Lancaster University?

The first plan I formulated was to do a full-time MBA, back where I was born in Canada, due to the generous allowances for home students. I was concerned, however, about how I'd fund 18 months of full-time study on top of tuition, and started to look at courses which would allow me to work and study at the same time. I'd done my BA at Lancaster in Philosophy and graduated about 15 years before. I love the university, love the town, my godson lives in Lancaster, so I decided to take a trip up. When I saw the updated facilities and the management school building, there was only ever going to be one choice.

What did you enjoy most about the Lancaster MBA?

I enjoyed the interaction with my coursemates immensely. They brought so many distinct perspectives and ideas, and were receptive to the ideas I brought to the table too. The exposure to professionals working at a similar level in different industries, seeing over the course of two years how they think and approach problems posed by the learning materials within the course differently, has been the most valuable aspect of this course. In this respect, Lancaster is incredibly useful - the ranking of the course and university attracts a high quality of EMBA candidate from which one can learn.

How do you think the Lancaster MBA benefitted you?

The EMBA has taught me how to apply numerous frameworks and models, and helped me think about problem solving in different ways. When I joined the course I'd been working at deputy director level for 6 years, and I believe the ability to apply the learning from the course was the catalyst for making the jump to director level, which I attained midway through the EMBA.

What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?

I've become far more confident in my own abilities, and as a result have attained a promotion to Director. I'm succeeding in my current role, and I know that the skills I've learnt will help to propel me to the next level when the time is right.

Is there anything else about your MBA experience that you'd like to share?

The EMBA experience, done properly, is not for the faint-hearted or the time-constrained. One has to commit fully; there's certainly no skipping the reading once in a blue moon like at undergraduate level. However, the rewards are real, material, and will impact not only your own career but the lives of your peers and colleagues positively.