After nearly two decades of running businesses, I didn’t pursue an MBA to just learn theory.

I came to step back, retool, and reconnect, with my purpose, with global peers, and with the kind of thinking that helps you stay relevant in a world that doesn’t slow down for anyone.

Now halfway through the Executive MBA at Bayes Business School, I can honestly say this has been one of the most challenging and rewarding chapters of my life.

Learning from each other and the power of perspective

From day one, the cohort dynamic blew me away. We’re a 26-strong group with a huge variety of professional backgrounds and industry experience, there’s a rich cultural exchange happening every week.

As a business owner, being placed into diverse, allocated teams with no hierarchy was humbling. There’s no seniority here. We’re all equals, learning from each other.

We’ve embraced skills swapping in group work, a method I’ve since adopted in my senior meetings outside of the MBA. Whether it’s applying frameworks from strategy modules or learning about onboarding tech to improve efficiency, the real-time application of our learning is constant, and powerful.

An international education, delivered globally

The international aspect of the Bayes MBA is more than just global classmates, it’s built into the very structure of the programme. This year alone, I’ve:

• Participated in Entrepreneurship Week in Silicon Valley, where we focused not just on innovation, but on real resilience. The kind that kicks in when things fall apart and you choose to rebuild.
• Spent Consulting Week in Nairobi, Kenya, partnering with a remarkable agri-tech start-up, Pollen Patrollers. Their mission? Combat bee colony collapse and improve food security through smart hive sensors. We helped refine their go-to-market strategy, but what I gained was so much more: clarity about impactful leadership and the power of listening deeply.
• Taken an MBA elective in Dubai, which completely reframed my view of the city. Beyond the flashy exterior lies a genuinely dynamic environment for business, especially in tourism, tech, and education. I came back with new partnerships, meetings in the diary, and eyes wide open to new global possibilities.

The inner work: Reflection, stamina, and self-discovery

An MBA is often seen as a career accelerator. But for me, it’s also been a personal reset. The volume of work has been staggering: eleven exams, two tests, twelve assignments, all while managing a demanding business and family life.

But somehow, it’s made me stronger, more focused, and even more organised. I’ve had to re-learn how to say no, trial new AI time-management tools, and prioritise my wellbeing with exercise, sleep, and reflection.

After an intense week in Kenya, a few of us from the cohort visited the Maasai Mara, a trip of a lifetime. No Wi-Fi, just wildlife and wide-open skies. That quiet time gave me something no classroom could: space to absorb how far I’ve come and what really matters.

What I didn’t expect to learn

Beyond the technical content, I’ve learned:

• The art of patience, especially in teams of equally ambitious individuals
• That building friendships for life isn’t a cliché. It’s real.
• How important it is to reflect, rest, and acknowledge growth
• That motivation comes naturally when you love what you’re doing

And I’m only halfway through.

Looking ahead

As I enter the second year of the MBA, I’ll move on to consulting electives and deeper specialisations. I’m excited, nervous, and ready.

This journey isn’t just about gaining a degree. It’s about being pushed out of your comfort zone, applying what you learn immediately, and expanding your worldview every single week.

If you’re thinking about an MBA and want more than just lectures, if you want growth, challenge, and international experience that reshapes your perspective, Bayes is the place.

I’m not starting over.

I’m levelling up.