I am a Senior Specialist and Capability Manager at Rolls-Royce, leading a team of twenty engineers within the Manufacturing Engineering and Materials organisation. In 2023, I embarked on the Executive MBA programme to strengthen my strategic leadership capabilities and develop my business acumen to serve my team better and contribute meaningfully to the business during our transformation programme.  

In my professional journey, from a small community in Trinidad and Tobago to the present day in the United Kingdom, I have always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact in engineering. The challenges I faced growing up instilled in me a profound appreciation for education and the doors it can open. The Executive MBA programme at WBS has been instrumental in providing me with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of my role.

As an engineer, I believe a strong foundational understanding of business principles enhances the ability to take measured risks, push forward confidently, and learn from failure. The Executive MBA  has equipped me with the right capabilities to continue addressing the real business and societal challenges we face, particularly in achieving sustainable growth.

The Leadership, Operations Management and Financial Management modules have been particularly transformative. They have offered me valuable insights and enabled me to reflect on and adapt my approach to better support my team. Through Rolls-Royce’s transformation, my responsibilities expanded significantly—I now lead a larger, multi-site team, each site having its unique organisational culture. The Leadership and Strategic Advantage modules equipped me with practical tools to help me transform challenges into opportunities. I have optimised my team's efficiency and performance by implementing various strategies I learnt in the modules, ensuring alignment with Rolls-Royce’s vision and purpose.

A critical learning was transitioning from being a technical expert to embodying the qualities of a senior leader. The programme encouraged me to ask insightful questions, empower my team through effective delegation, and maintain a strategic focus. This shift has improved my team's autonomy and engagement and allowed me to drive transformative change within the organisation.

Balancing the demands of the MBA programme with my professional responsibilities has been challenging. Yet, the unwavering support from Rolls-Royce Senior Management, WBS faculty and the camaraderie of my peers have made this journey both manageable and enriching. The diverse perspectives within the cohort have broadened my understanding and fostered a collaborative learning environment. At WBS, I also got the opportunity to build strong relationships with colleagues studying the Executive MBA at The Shard, London through the Negotiation Theory module, and the international module in the United States focused on Strategic Business Innovation using AI and Cloud.

What’s next for me? To be completely honest, I am not sure. I have learnt to be comfortable with that uncertainty. While many will have a clear plan for what’s after the MBA, I intend to engage with the WBS CareersPlus team, which has executive coaching sessions available to support me when the time is right for me based on my career goals. For now, I aim to focus on making a difference in the areas I have been fortunate to be a part of.

The Executive MBA at WBS offers an exceptional platform for professionals seeking to elevate their capabilities and drive real change within their organisations. It is a truly transformative experience that equips leaders with the tools, insights, and confidence needed to thrive in today's complex and dynamic business landscape.