Heropreneurs

Heropreneurs: the Awards ceremony will be held in London on November 14

Warwick Business School and Heropreneurs have announced the six finalists in with a chance of winning a full scholarship to study an MBA or Executive Diploma.

Partnering with Heropreneurs, a charity that supports the business ventures of the Armed Forces community, WBS is offering serving or ex-military personnel, including spouses, the opportunity of a place on one of its world-class programmes, worth up to £64,220.  

The six finalists are:

  • Richard Da Gama, who served for 15 years in the Grenadier Guards prior to his current role as a director within a consultancy company supporting team performance in complex project environments;
  • Holly Henderson, a former Royal Navy officer whose passion for sustainability has led her into a role supporting companies in their transition to greener energies;
  • George McCrea, who has spent 18 years in the Corps of Royal Engineers and is a well-respected leader currently working in the field of data analytics, visualisations and business insights;
  • Clare Otridge, who leads a specialist research agency operating across the food and agriculture sectors;
  • Rob Reed, whose path, marked by both military service and personal hardship, now fuels his entrepreneurial drive to reshape the future of personal financial management;
  • and Mike Wilmot, who, following a 12-year career in the British Army, has spent the past two years driving the adoption of artificial intelligence in the defence industry.

A panel of judges will assess the final six, and the full bursary winner will be announced at the Heropreneurs Awards ceremony, which will be held at the Shard in London on November 14.

Andy Lockett, Dean and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, said: “We are delighted to be partnering Heropreneurs once again.

“Each year we look for prospective students who have the potential to make an immediate impact in business and society, and in these six finalists we see that potential once again.

“They all have excellent CVs and tremendous experience of leadership and innovation, and we look forward to welcoming the final winners to the School and watching their progress through the courses they choose.”

The First Prize winner of the Warwick Business School Bursary Awards, whether they are starting or developing a business, or moving on to the next stage of their career in the military or other employment, will receive a 100 per cent bursary to study on one of the prestigious MBA or Executive Diploma programmes.

The Second Prize winner will also be awarded a generous bursary, as will other runners-up.

According to the Financial Times, Warwick Business School has the top Executive MBA in the UK – and the second best globally – for career progression. QS, the global higher education analytics firm, ranks the School's Executive MBA as first in the world for career outcomes. 

Moreover, the School’s suite of Executive Education Open Programmes – driven by its Warwick Executive Diplomas – is ranked 30th in the world by the Financial Times, based on direct feedback from participants and rated school criteria.

The Financial Times ranks its Global Online MBA third in the world, and second in the world for career progression. WBS has also recently launched its Accelerator MBA to help professionals speed up their career progression while working.

The annual Heropreneurs Awards Night this November will also honour achievements in other categories including Heropreneur of the Year, Start-up of the Year, Product of the Year and Technology Business of the Year. 

Heropreneurs Lead at the Forces Employment Charity, Victoria Greenhalgh, said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Warwick Business School and look forward to announcing the Warwick Business School Bursary Award at this year’s Heropreneurs Awards. 

“This prestigious bursary represents a life-changing opportunity for our military community, providing access to world-class education and the tools needed to excel in entrepreneurial ventures.

“Heropreneurs, now part of the Forces Employment Charity, is committed to supporting veterans and their families, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to thrive in the business world.

“We look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of our finalists and awarding these transformative bursaries.”