Lancaster University Management School has been shortlisted for the Best Innovation Strategy 2025 award at the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2025for its Cyber Security Executive MBA programme (CEMBA) delivered in partnership with Templar Executives.

The Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards celebrates institutions at the pinnacle of business education across 12 competitive award categories.

The Best Innovation Strategy award is a celebration of innovation and radical thinking in business education. It has been developed to recognise and reward game-changing new practices, risks and creativity around programmes on offer at business schools across the globe. Other institutions on the shortlist include those from France, Germany, Mexico and Ireland.

The nomination reflects the Management School's willingness to push boundaries in pursuit of new forms of teaching and learning. It also recognises the CEMBA’s approach to tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing modern business: the escalating threat of cyberattacks.

Dan Prince, Professor of Cyber Security said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award from AMBA and BGA. Cyber security is a critical business issue affecting every business, in every sector, in every nation. Regardless of whether leaders decide to become a specialist in cyber, it is essential they develop their cyber credentials. Being shortlisted in the best innovation strategy category showcases that we and our partners are at the cutting edge for developing the next generation of leaders able to take on the challenge of cyber security on the international stage.”

Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO, Templar Executives said: “The CEMBA’s innovation lies not only in its fusion of business and cyber curriculum, but in its hands-on, practice-driven approach. Building on the strategic partnership between Lancaster University and Templar Executives, each module is co-taught by a distinguished academic and a world-leading cyber expert, giving students a well-rounded mastery of cyber leadership. Beyond that, it offers the students the chance to build a powerful network of peers and mentors, extending their influence far beyond their own organisations."

Lancaster University is leading the way with the flagship CEMBA, ensuring that tomorrow’s business leaders are ready to meet these challenges head-on. The CEMBA is a unique programme which challenges traditional approaches to business education and offers a transformational fusion of business leadership and cyber security education. The programme represents a bold step forward in business education, and this recognition from AMBA confirms its relevance and impact in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

The CEMBA is the only MBA programme certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The programme is taught by leading academics from the Management School and the School of Computing and Communication as well as expert practitioners from Templar Executives, an award-winning, international Cyber Security and Information Assurance consultancy.

The AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards received a record number of entries this year across all the categories. The final award winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner on the 24^th January 2025.