The Warwick Business School team behind the award-winning SmartStage®

Leading the field: The Warwick Business School team collect their award for the SmartStage® virtual classroom

Warwick Business School has clinched the prestigious Best Digital Transformation 2025 award at the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards, held at the Royal Garden Hotel in London.

This accolade recognises the School’s innovative use of SmartStage® technology, which is revolutionising online learning, as WBS beat stiff competition from the likes of NEOMA Business School in France, Porto Business School, and Ireland’s Trinity Business School.

Judges agreed the School’s £1.2 million extended reality (XR) online teaching studio has set a new benchmark in digital education. The state-of-the-art virtual teaching and learning environment leverages XR technology to create an engaging, interactive, and immersive learning environment.

Dan Pearson, Director of Academic Environment at WBS, said: “SmartStage® has transformed how we teach at WBS, and this award is testament to the hard work of all involved.

“We are the first business school in Europe to use SmartStage® with its XR capabilities. Traditional online teaching can feel impersonal, slide-heavy, and unengaging, but our pioneering technology has transformed the way that online courses can be delivered. We’ve created an immersive, interactive environment that enables deeper learning, more questions, and better discussions.

“Academics have commented on how easy it is to deliver via the platform, and students studying online feel more connected to the teaching team even though they are not physically in the room – it has been a great success.

“We’re committed to staying ahead in our field, always improving what we offer and ensuring our students get the best education possible. Technologies like SmartStage® are just the start of what we want to achieve through digital transformation.”

Faculty members present in a studio, utilising XR technology and interactive elements to bring lectures and case studies to life. Students can see and interact with each other through video feeds, fostering a sense of community and connection.

The Bank of England has partnered with WBS to use the technology on the Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation qualifications, while SmartStage® also offers the capability to ‘beam in’ guest speakers to the virtual classroom from anywhere in the world, enhancing the learning experience with diverse perspectives.

Jacky Swan, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Pro Dean (Teaching & Learning), said: “SmartStage® has allowed us to push the boundaries of what is possible in online education. Our students benefit from an engaging and interactive learning environment, which has significantly enhanced their overall experience.

“This award would not have been possible without the tremendous wraparound support of the SmartStage® team and the training they provide for faculty.

“Winning this award is a tremendous achievement, especially as it embodies our Change Maker values of curiosity, restlessness and the pursuit of excellence. As a School we aim to pave the way for others to follow and this award is testament to our commitment to give our students the very best.”

Celebrating exceptional innovation 

The ceremony was attended by more than 200 business school leaders, as well as category finalists, judges and members of the media.

Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Executive of the Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association (AMBA & BGA), said: “On behalf of the AMBA and BGA team, I would like to congratulate the finalists and winners of this year’s Excellence Awards. 

“This year, the competition was stronger than ever – with the highest number of entries ever. The entries who have made the final shortlist in each category should feel proud of their achievements.

“Additionally, the students and graduates who have been shortlisted as finalists today have all used their qualifications to achieve a spectrum of impressive results, in terms of the positive impact they have made to business, education and society as a whole.

“It was thrilling to be able to celebrate the AMBA & BGA network’s achievements at our Gala Dinner - in particular it’s been amazing to celebrate exceptional innovations and successes in the higher management education industry.” 

Discover more about the School's online learning courses.

Find out more about the innovative mindset at Warwick Business School by meeting our Change Makers.