What did you do prior to joining the MBA?

I founded a renewables company specialising in the collection and processing of unavoidable food waste to produce electricity, renewable gas for domestic use, and vehicle fuel.

Why did you decide to do an MBA?

My businesses were growing and becoming more complex and I felt the MBA would help me navigate these complexities and aid future growth.

Why did you choose Lancaster University?

I looked at other universities but Lancaster was always my favoured destination. As well as excellent rankings, I liked the look of the modules, the mindful manager module springs to mind. I was really impressed with the speed of response and the personal nature of the application process.

What did you enjoy most about the Lancaster MBA?

We had excellent tutors and really thought-provoking lectures in which I learnt so much about the business environment. This coupled with the people I met were the highlights for me. We had a really close cohort and the opportunity to meet and work in groups with such a diverse group of people really made the course worthwhile.

How do you think the Lancaster MBA benefitted you?

I have grown in confidence and feel far calmer when faced with difficult situations in my business. I now realise how important it is to step outside of the day-to-day running of my business and feel I have been provided with a toolkit of models and frameworks that I need to develop our company moving forwards.

What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?

I have learnt how to empower people in my business and provide more autonomy than I had previously. This has given me the opportunity to explore other ventures I may have previously overlooked. Also, the consultancy challenge has given me further skills needed to highlight risks and opportunities for my existing businesses.

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

I found the MBA a life-changing experience. I met some incredible people along the way who I will continue to stay in touch with and who I can turn to for advice at any time. Chris Saunders [Associate Dean for Postgraduate Education] told us on our first day on campus that we would be taken out of our comfort zone and this is something I can vouch for! The MBA is a huge commitment while working full-time with an incredible workload, but one which I believe is truly worthwhile.