This year our MBA students embarked on 49 projects across 48 different companies, within 15 industry sectors worldwide. Live consulting projects are a key part of the one-year MBA programme at Cambridge Judge, an experiential curriculum that allows our students to not only build up their CV during their MBA year, but also develop and build relationships with global brands that Cambridge Judge has a longstanding professional relationship with. 

Looking at business challenges from AI to investment strategies, from sustainability strategies to global expansion, brands like the World Health Organisation, the World Economic Forum and financial giant, Black Rock, have been working with our MBA Projects team for over a decade, in many cases. 

A 4-week consulting project with an international organisation, where the knowledge and skills acquired through the previous 6 months’ study is applied and put to the test. The GCP is a unique opportunity to work under pressure, with a small team of up to 5 MBA classmates. 

From energy and battery storage solutions in the US to copper mining in Chile and even ice-cream in Croatia – the learning was broad and impactful on this year’s Global Consulting Project (GCP) for Cambridge MBAs. 

The health sector

The project with Novartis Global Health involved taking a deep dive into global health NGOs. For example, a project to identify what Novartis could do apart from just supplying drugs to patients.  

“How could they create value in the supply chain and how could they be a shared partner in the patient journey?” explains team member and Nehru Trust for Cambridge University Scholarship recipient, Mansa Shroff.  

“I am grateful to my team members and the Novartis Global Health client, for the opportunity to contribute to addressing major, unresolved global health challenges,” continues team member Lavanya Dalasari.

“Novartis supervised and supported us at each step of the research. What an experience, working with such dedicated leaders who are committed to changing the landscape of global health” Mansa Shroff concludes. 

Lavania Dalasari Mansa Shroff

am grateful to my team members and the Novartis Global Health client, for the opportunity to contribute to addressing major, unresolved global health challenges.

Lavanya Dalasari, MBA 2023 The global food sector Yuka Irei

“Together, we presented the ice cream market trends of our respective home countries and conducted interviews with LEDO employees during our trip to Croatia,” describes MBA team member Yuka Irei.  

A project for Nomad Foods saw the team of four students travel to Croatia, as part of their 4-week consulting project.  

Participation in the Global Consulting project was a first for Ledo, the Zagreb-based frozen food and ice cream maker, and part of the Nomad Group. They hosted four MBA students from Japan, Iran, the US and Indonesia, together working on the ‘Future of Ice Cream’ project.  

“The team worked remotely most of their time, based in the UK and during their visit to Croatia they held meetings with key stakeholders from our sales, supply chain, marketing, finance, human resources and other departments, and of course, visited our factory,” a Ledo spokesperson said.

Together, we presented the ice cream market trends of our respective home countries and conducted interviews with LEDO employees during our trip to Croatia.

Yuka Irei, MBA 2023 The finance sector

For Visa Europe it had been great spending time with the MBA team, “Seeing ideas develop and evolve over the weeks into actionable insights and recommendations.”  For Yohana Betania from the MBA team, it really was an “Incredible experience”. 

As well as working closely with our MBA Projects team, MBA students can also choose to self-source a project to support and maximise their career aims across their MBA year.  

One team working for the Dubai Future District Fund did exactly that, reaching out and connecting to an MFin alumnus from Cambridge Judge. Locating themselves in Dubai for the project, the MBA team working for Dubai Future District Fund, developed a project that looked at 3 pivotal investment areas. The future of finance, the future of work and the future of healthcare – all targeting the MENA region. 

Team member Romit Kapoor explains,  “These 3 sectors, ripe for innovation and growth, provided a fertile ground for us to integrate our rigorous Cambridge training with real-world financial complexities.” 

He continues, “The client feedback at our final presentation was overwhelmingly positive. The client praised the insightful analysis and strategic overview in our team’s findings, and they are looking forward to maintaining the partnership with Cambridge Judge and hosting further MBA project teams in the future.” 

He concludes, “This endorsement not only signifies a seal of approval from a key financial player in the MENA region but also paves the way for future cohorts to explore similar impactful opportunities.” 

Yohana Betania Romit Kapoor

The client feedback at our final presentation was overwhelmingly positive. The client praised the insightful analysis and strategic overview in our team's findings, and they are looking forward to maintaining the partnership with Cambridge Judge and hosting further MBA project teams in the future.

Romit Kapoor, MBA 2023 The airline industry Calvin Liew

Air India gave the team from Cambridge a rare insight into Air India’s ongoing transformation, “A journey that is both inspiring and rich in learning” said MBA student Calvin Liew.  

Calvin went onto explain,  “Beyond the project, what truly made this experience unforgettable was the vibrant tapestry of India itself. From the bustling streets to the serene landscapes, every moment was an adventure filled with the rich culture, history, and diversity that India is so proud of.” 

The MBA team thanked Air India for its warm hospitality, invaluable guidance and most importantly, its friendship. Calvin continued, “Your presence and support made our project experience all the more memorable. And thank you, India itself, for opening your arms and embracing us.” 

Beyond the project, what truly made this experience unforgettable was the vibrant tapestry of India itself. From the bustling streets to the serene landscapes, every moment was an adventure filled with the rich culture, history, and diversity that India is so proud of.

Calvin Liew, MBA 2023 Sustainability and the ESG sector  

While travel overseas is not always possible for our GCP teams, one team received a warm invitation from the client to visit their copper mines in Chile.  

Minera Los Pelambres, part of the Antofagasta group of companies, gave a warm welcome to our team of 5 students, who visited the region and their factory holdings, across Chile,  “Collaborating alongside one of the world’s foremost copper companies was both a privilege and a remarkable experience for our team,” says Rocio Acosta Andrade. 

Thanking the client contacts, the MBA team again reiterated the “Invaluable guidance and unwavering support throughout our time in Chile”. 

Moving into the energy sector, Team Terralayr focused on providing a market analysis of energy flexibility and storage solutions in the US. Working with mentor and Cambridge Judge Business School faculty member Michael Pollitt, they meticulously covered select de-regulated states, analysing their energy markets, flexibility potential, revenue drivers, and policy landscapes. 

Abhishek Ramnath explains, “Throughout the project, we challenged conventional flexibility norms, delved into state-specific energy challenges, and devised innovative solutions leveraging battery technology.” 

Concluding the project the team said,  “As we wrap up, we’re intrigued by the potential of utility-scale batteries and eager to explore their broader significance beyond our project scope. Our team is eager to connect and delve deeper into this dynamic space.” 

Rocio Acosta Andrade Abhishek Ramnath

Collaborating alongside one of the world’s foremost copper companies was both a privilege and a remarkable experience for our team.

Rocio Acosta Andrade, MBA 2023

Sadia Cuthbert, Head of Careers at Cambridge Judge says:  “We have offered fantastic project opportunities to our students again this year. The GCP is such an important leaning milestone for students, allowing them to apply their knowledge, their softer skills and to gain experience in new sectors. Teams are always tested in these high-time pressured situations of real consulting work. We look forward to great results again and a fantastic range of experiences.” 

We have offered fantastic project opportunities to our students again this year. The GCP is such an important leaning milestone for students, allowing them to apply their knowledge, their ‘softer skills’ and to gain experience in new sectors. Teams are always tested in these high-time pressured situations of real consulting work. We look forward to great results again and a fantastic range of experiences.

Sadia Cuthbert, Head of Careers at Cambridge Judge Projects on the Cambridge MBA

Find out more about projects undertaken as part of the Cambridge MBA degree.

Explore projects The Cambridge MBA

A one-year MBA degree from Cambridge Judge Business School, at the heart of the University of Cambridge.

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Professor Dissanaike, Minister Shindo and Dr Seabright

Mr Yoshitaka Shindo, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Cabinet Office of Japan, was welcomed to Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, for discussions on strategies for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship as part of Japan’s initiative to promote its startup community.

The meetings at Cambridge Judge included sessions with the Interim Dean, Gishan Dissanaike, the Deputy Director of Cambridge Enterprise, Paul Seabright, and other Business School faculty involved in entrepreneurship, social innovation, Executive Education and other areas.

Fostering research and innovation through Japan’s Global Startup Campus Initiative

The Japanese government has announced a Global Startup Campus Initiative, including establishment of a research and innovation centre in central Tokyo to promote more startups in areas such as health, climate change and technology.

“This research and innovation centre will also work with local ecosystems in each region to promote the formation of an ecosystem that will generate world-class standard businesses throughout Japan,” the Japanese government said in unveiling the initiative.

The success of Silicon Fen, Cambridge’s startup ecosystem

The Cambridge ecosystem has produced many dynamic companies in technology, health sciences and other areas, so we were glad to share our expertise and in return to learn from the Japanese delegation.

Professor Gishan Disssanaike

“We are honoured by the visit of Mr Shindo and other officials from Japan, which produced very interesting discussion on entrepreneurship and innovation strategy,” said Gishan Dissanaike, Interim Dean and Adam Smith Professor of Corporate Governance and Finance at the Business School. “The Cambridge ecosystem has produced many dynamic companies in technology, health sciences and other areas, so we were glad to share our expertise and in return to learn from the Japanese delegation.

“Mr Shindo and his delegation met representatives of Cambridge Enterprise, which supports the University of Cambridge community in knowledge transfer, the Entrepreneurship Centre at Cambridge Judge, the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at the Business School, the Executive Education division of Cambridge Judge, and myself. We are grateful for the valuable insights shared and look forward to meaningful collaborations in the future.

“Cambridge Judge has for many years melded entrepreneurship into its core activities. The Business School has benefited from the outstanding work of Cambridge Judge faculty, staff and external mentors in helping promising startups refine their ideas, attract funding, and scale up their businesses. While the situation in every country and region is distinct, we hope the experience of the Cambridge ecosystem will be useful to the distinguished delegation from Japan.”

Visiting delegation included officials from Japan and the UK

The meeting on 29 April included, from the Government of Japan:

• Mr Yoshitaka Shindo, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, Cabinet Office
• Mr Satoshi Koyanagi, Secretary to the Minister, Cabinet Office; Mr Shuichi Matsuta, Director-General, Office of International Economic Affairs
• Mr Koyu Izumi, Councillor, Cabinet Secretariat, Director General and Head of Global Business Investment Support Office
• Mr Takumi Sano, Deputy Director, Secretariat of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Mr Shintaro Nakamura, Researcher, Secretariat of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Mr Kyoichiro Kawakami, Minister, Embassy of Japan in the UK
• Mr Hiroki Aoki, Counsellor, Embassy of Japan in the UK
• Mr Hideo Yura, Director General, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), London Office

From Cambridge, participants included:

• Professor Gishan Dissanaike, Interim Dean and Adam Smith Professor of Corporate Governance and Finance at Cambridge Judge
• Dr Paul Seabright, Deputy Director, Cambridge Enterprise
• Professor Matthew Grimes, Co-Director, Entrepreneurship Centre, and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Futures at Cambridge Judge
• Ann Davidson, Head of Practice, Entrepreneurship Centre at Cambridge Judge
• Professor Neil Stott, Co-Director, Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, and Management Practice Professor of Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge
• Steven Grundy, (Interim) Director of Open Programmes, Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education

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Alex will speak about his 3-month cycling trip through the Andes Mountains in South America in 2023.

Join the Master of Jesus College, Sonita Alleyne (OBE) and Professor of Mobile Systems, Cecilia Mascolo in conversation with Entrepreneur Steve Brierley (OBE), CEO of Riverlane. Current University of Cambridge Students and Alumni can register to join the event for free

Grab a glass of wine and get you sketch on...

Venture capital could play a key role in the rebuilding of Ukraine, so the Centre for Business Research at Cambridge Judge Business School has organised a competition designed to match promising Ukrainian startups with VC investors.

The competition seeks to identify 12 Ukraine startups that will be invited to a ‘speed dating’ event on 1 July at Clare College, University of Cambridge, to meet with VCs interested in investing in Ukraine. The deadline for applications from startups is 31 May.

The 1 July event to match startups with VCs will be followed on 2 July by an academic conference, also at Clare College, focused on the legal changes needed in Ukraine to promote more VC investment.

Why post-war Ukraine offers opportunity for startups and VCs

“The thinking behind the competition and speed dating event on 1 July is that there will be a golden opportunity in the near future for rebuilding Ukraine, and this will in turn create a hotspot for economic opportunity,” says Chris Coleridge, Management Practice Associate Professor at Cambridge Judge, who is organising the competition.

The 2 July conference on The Legal Framework for Venture Capital in Ukraine stems from a research project (funded by the Cambridge Endowment for Research in Finance) run by Simon Deakin, Professor of Law at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Centre for Business Research (CBR), and Hanna Sitchenko, an expert in Ukrainian venture capital law, who is a Research Fellow at the CBR.

Laws and institutions have a vital role to play in supporting venture capital, by providing the right environment for innovation to flourish, and building trust. Our research studies how this has been done in other countries and what lessons can be learned for Ukraine.

Professor Simon Deakin Dr Chris Coleridge Professor Simon Deakin Hanna Sitchenko Pre-war Ukraine’s thriving innovation ecosystem

“Prior to the conflict with Russia, Ukraine had already established a thriving innovation ‘eco-system’, with a significant number of university-industry collaborations, and a high rate of VC funding by comparison to other countries in central and eastern Europe,” says the project’s website page.

“Since the summer of 2022 a number of VC partnerships based in London and New York have announced new funds to support early-stage investment in Ukrainian companies, and the Ukrainian government has prioritised VC in its plans for post-war reconstruction.”

How can Ukraine better attract VC investment?

The 2 July conference will examine 3 areas:

• what is the optimal legal and transactional framework for venture capital?
• what are the current legal obstacles to venture capital in Ukraine?
• what changes are needed to the law and transactional structures to promote venture capital in Ukraine?

Centre for Business Research

The Centre for Business Research (CBR) aims to better understand how to achieve a sustainable economy and society. We are pioneering new methods of data collection and analysis of enterprise and innovation. We are developing novel approaches to macroeconomic modelling, and datasets that uniquely track legal and regulatory changes and their economic impact.

Explore the Centre for Business Research

Learn more about CBR's research project on venture capital in Ukraine

Enter the competition

Are you a Ukraine startup that would like to meet VC investors in Cambridge on 1 July? Submit your competition entry via our online form.

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6 things to consider to make financing your studies easier

So, what funding is available and how can you access it? 

1 Research scholarships and grants

Many organisations, institutions, and even companies offer scholarships and grants specifically for MBA students.  

Explore external scholarship opportunities from government agencies, non-profit organisations, corporations, and foundations that support graduate education. These scholarships may be specific to your country of origin, field of study, or career goals. Conduct thorough research and apply to as many relevant scholarships as possible. 

At Cambridge Judge Business School there are a range of scholarships including merit-based, need-based or designated for students from specific regions or backgrounds. Updated information on all our Cambridge Judge scholarships and grants can be found on our fees and funding pages.  

In addition, there are further funding sources across the wider University of Cambridge, including the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship and the Cambridge Trust Scholarships. Eligibility criteria and application processes are available on the respective websites. The 31 Colleges that together make up the University of Cambridge, also offer some grants and funding support, for example, St Catharine’s Benavitch Scholarship and the Sidney Sussex Joyce Coutu scholarship both offer support for MBA candidates studying at Cambridge. Individual colleges also award discretionary bursaries for postgraduate studies.  

2 Student loans and financial aid

Investigate loan options and financial aid programmes available to graduate students. This may include government-backed loans, private loans, and other forms of financial assistance. Be sure to understand the terms and conditions associated with any loans you consider and be mindful of interest rates and repayment terms. 

The University of Cambridge is an authorised educational provider and is therefore recognised by most funding bodies. For example, Prodigy Finance is a loan provider that specialises in loans for postgraduate students at leading business schools, including Cambridge Judge. A list of loan providers is available on our fees and funding pages, but there may be others that are specific to your own country or even your sector. Early research and preparation is always recommended as you prepare your MBA application.  

3 Employer sponsorship

If you feel happy at your current company but perhaps want to progress further by taking an MBA, consider if your company would be open to sponsoring you. Many companies have policies on sponsorship, but even if they don’t, it’s worth approaching them. 

Some companies offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship for employees pursuing higher education, especially if they believe it will benefit the company in the long run. Explore this option with your current employer. 

If you are currently employed, enquire with your employer about sponsorship or financial assistance for your MBA studies. Make a compelling case for how your MBA will contribute to your professional development and how it will add value to the company. 

Full sponsorship from your company often comes with a 3-or 5-year post-MBA contract, so you might want to negotiate some flexibility with regards to a desired role or department change.

4 Crowdfunding and online platforms

Consider launching a crowdfunding campaign or seeking support from family, friends, and professional networks to help cover the costs of your MBA. Share your story, goals, and aspirations to attract support from those who believe in your potential. 

You could gain financial support for your MBA in the form of investment, offering incentives for those that part-fund your studies. However, you need to ensure you have thoroughly laid out your strategy if you want people to invest. 

As you expand your network and reach out to MBA alumni from your chosen school, ask them about their funding support, or grants in their sector/country, they may be able to signpost you to sources that you hadn’t already considered.  

5 Start saving and planning your funds early

Many students fund themselves through private savings and prepare for this by building up personal capital before they start the programme. In the year or more before entry to the MBA programme think about the personal savings you can make and start building up a pot to support the costs of an MBA. Develop a comprehensive financial plan that includes tuition fees, living expenses, and any additional costs associated with studying at Cambridge. Create a budget to manage your finances effectively during your MBA programme and look for ways to reduce expenses where possible. 

6 Early application and preparation

Start researching and applying for funding opportunities well before starting your MBA program. Some scholarships and grants have early application deadlines, so be proactive in gathering necessary documents and submitting your applications on time. Some Cambridge Colleges close their applications for places and any funding as early as March, before our annual application rounds often close.  

By combining multiple funding sources and being proactive in your search, you can maximise your chances of securing financial support for your Cambridge MBA. 

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9 May 2024 - The author spoke at CISL today on the role of Citizens in the climate emergency

8 May 2024 - Richard Calland, Director for CISL’s Africa Programme and v isiting adjunct Professor at the Wits School of Governance, held a discussion with South Africa’s Trade & Industry Minister, Ebrahim Patel at an event to launch the country’s Industrial Policy and Strategy Review.

Boards of Directors need to act now to meet regulatory requirements for clear financial reporting of sustainability-related information, says a World Economic Forum (WEF) article co-authored by Dr Simon Learmount of Cambridge Judge Business School.

“Sustainability – including, critically, climate change – has rapidly evolved from an ‘environmental, non-financial’ consideration to a set of issues that often present material financial risks and opportunities for business”, says the article. 

The article is co-authored by Sarah Barker, Managing Director of climate change investment and advisory firm Pollination, and Simon Learmount, Associate Professor in Corporate Governance at Cambridge Judge, who are co-chairs of the WEF’s Community of Climate Governance Experts. 

Why information on sustainability should be considered mandatory 

The article says there are 3 key reasons why acting on new frameworks on sustainability reporting should be considered as effectively mandatory for companies: 

1. the speed and scale of regulatory change
2. directors’ duties and liability exposure
3. a firm’s competitive position in light of stakeholders’ increasing expectation of more information about climate-related risks and opportunities

As a result, boards need to assess their firms’ capacity and governance to meet these obligations, the gap between the firm’s current reporting and fast-emerging reporting requirements, and the implications of these requirements on company strategy. 

Featured faculty Simon Learmount

Associate Professor in Corporate Governance

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Barker, S. and Learmount, S. (2024) “Sustainability reporting: what directors need to know and do.” WEF.org

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Frank Dobbin is Henry Ford II Professor of the Social Sciences, and chair of the Department of Sociology, at Harvard.

At Cambridge Judge Business School our community of faculty and researchers are actively engaged with cutting-edge research across a wide range of interdisciplinary research centres and initiatives. These centres and initiatives – many of which are based at the Business School – play a key role in linking Cambridge research expertise with industry practitioners, business leaders and policy stakeholders.

As part of the MFin degree programme, students have the opportunity to work with these research centres, which span a wide range of business and finance related subject areas, including the Centre for Risk Studies, the Circular Economy Centre, the Centre for Endowment Asset Management and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to name a few.

Close ties with the research centres

Marwa Hammam, Co-Director of the MFin degree programme, shares some insights on how the programme’s close ties with the research centres can enrich the students’ learning journey. “MFin students can actively engage with the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) via project work and participation in their global internship programme. Some students have also made valuable contributions to benchmarking studies and the groundbreaking Regulatory Genome Project (RGP) sponsored by the wider University.”

Marwa explains that the programme’s links with the research centres offers students the chance to collaborate with faculty and researchers in their chosen field or area of interest. “Such practical experiences showcase the MFin programme’s commitment to fostering the industry–academic partnerships that drive innovation and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of finance, providing students with hands on experience and the chance to contribute to cutting edge research initiatives. Our students and alumni particularly value the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution in their field via these collaborations with the research centres.”

We spoke to 3 MFin students as they were about to complete their MFin degree, to find out about their own experience of working with the research centres during the programme.

Hassan Aslam (MFin 2022/23) Hassan Aslam (MFin 2022/23) 

Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF)

Q. How did you first get involved with the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF)? 

A. My journey with CCAF began when I recognised the incredible scope of their work in studying alternative finance and its tangible real-world implications. The CCAF focuses on researching financial channels and instruments that operate outside the conventional financial system. The centre’s interdisciplinary and rigorous research piqued my interest and I saw an opportunity to contribute meaningfully.  

Q. Can you share a bit about the project or research that you have been doing with the centre? 

A. The project I have been engaged in pertains to the growth and strategy of the CCAF itself. Specifically, my team and I were tasked with identifying, researching and prioritising approaches to expand the CCAF’s research programs globally and engage with key stakeholders in crucial jurisdictions. This project aimed to scale the CCAF’s Digital Assets Programme while ensuring its continuity to serve the financial and regulatory sector. I was able to collaborate with CJBS finance faculty and external practitioners who are experts in the field of alternative finance, such as Blockchain, DeFi, CeFi and emerging payment channels. 

Q. Is this a new field of research for you and has the project you have been working on helped you with your next career move?

This exposure greatly enriched my understanding of the subject and is far from ephemeral, resulting in an indelible learning experience. The work I have done at the CCAF taught me innovative research methods, application of data-driven approaches while focusing on real-world impact of alternative finance solutions. As I look into the future after the MFin programme, the project I’ve been involved in with CCAF will play a pivotal role in shaping my career path. 

Tom Mosher (MFin 2022/23) Tom Mosher (MFin 2022/23) 

Cambridge Circular Economy Centre (CEC)

Q. How did you first get involved with the centre and can you tell us about the research that you have been working on? 

A. I became familiar with the work of Cambridge’s Circular Economy Centre (CEC) in Easter term and affiliated with them for the purpose of contributing to the research they are conducting at the intersection of circular economy and the internet of things (IoT). In this connection, I spent a month on secondment in the summer in Cyprus, collaborating with a partner technology firm who is developing technologies that will help to make digital communications networks more sustainable.

Q. Is this a new field of research for you, or an area that you are interested in pursuing after your MFin?

A. A principal focus of my inquiry, therefore, was the telecoms industry — a sector that stands to gain considerably from the trends in the IoT and AI. As a postgraduate in finance, I found it compelling to look at strategies that make sound commercial sense whilst also using resources more intelligently: to do well in a business sense and do good at the same time. This was an entirely new area for me, and one that I likely would not have been able to delve into so deeply, except with the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School and CEC calling cards.  

Q. What are your plans after completing the MFin, and has your work with the Circular Economy Centre helped you with your next career move? 

 A. The work provides an excellent bridge between my past career (practicing financial law for sovereign and corporate clients, including TMTs) and my future as an investor who wants to work for a more purposeful financial sector. And the most wonderful thing about the secondment was that it granted me an opportunity to meet other contacts from around Europe working on circular economy. I felt tangibly that my work was feeding into a larger collaborative project with coworkers from the local partner, from other universities around Europe, and from others in academia, private industry and government. 

Sherin Tan (MFin 2022/23) Sherin Tan (MFin 2022/23) 

Cambridge Circular Economy Centre (CEC)

Q. Which research centre have you been working with, and what does the centre do? 

A. I have been working with the Circular Economy Centre (CEC). The centre carries out cutting-edge research exploring the opportunities for reimagining sustainable business models. The CEC navigates the intricacies within industries to present solutions for the elimination of traditional linear business models. Essentially, it helps transform the business model from a linear structure to circular one, where wastes are reused or repurposed as inputs. 

Q. Can you tell us about the project or research that you have been working on? 

A. The EU-funded research project aims to explore the interplay between the Circular Economy-Internet of Things (CE-IoT) through an independent review on the current intersection at commercial entity level. I interviewed the stakeholders of the host company in Warsaw, Poland to identify and quantify the necessary resources, processes and structure that are required to accelerate the CE adoption in the mainstream business as usual (BAU). I observed cross-references that exist between the theory and practice, which can be extrapolated to multiple industries.

Q. Is this a new field of research for you, or an area that you are interested in pursuing after your MFin? 

A. Yes, it is a new field of research for me. The theoretical Circular Economy elective course piqued my curiosity on the CE implementation in relation to manufacturing industry. The level of granularity that this research project offers has allowed me to peek into the infrastructure to make CE sustainable. Relative to its peers, such as climate finance, circular economy is still in its nascent stage of emergence within the sustainability taxonomy. Having said that, its huge potentials seem to offer a glimpse of an antidote to the resource constraint and waste toxicity that linear economy is causing. 

Q. What are your plans after completing the MFin, and has the project you have been working on helped you with your next career move? 

A. From this research project, I drew the foundational knowledge and clarity that convince me of the urgent need to redesign existing linear business model into a circular one. Although I am realistic to know that the journey will not be a linear one (no pun intended), I cannot wait to see how the dots eventually connect. Currently, I am taking a few months to work in both software technology and climate research companies to deepen my credentials as an enabler of circular economy, especially from financial analysis angle.

The Master of Finance

A one-year masters degree from Cambridge Judge Business School, at the heart of the University of Cambridge. Open doors to exciting new career possibilities with a Cambridge Master of Finance (MFin).

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Introduce yourself Related news and insights

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Forging global alliances: the 2024 Cambridge Africa Business Conference

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The post How MFin students are contributing to real-world research appeared first on Cambridge Judge Business School.

For the first time since 2019, the Cambridge Africa Business Conference will be hosted at Cambridge Judge Business School. The conference on 18 May is organised and led by the Cambridge Africa Business Network (CABN), a Cambridge Judge alumni- and student-led initiative to promote networking and dialogue about business in Africa. 

The mission of CABN is to stimulate a robust dialogue about business, investment and entrepreneurship in Africa, incorporating both practitioner and academic perspectives. 

This year’s conference theme – “Kujenga Africa – Forging Global Alliances” – focuses on the importance of collaboration in championing sustainable growth and development.  

Why overcoming challenges is key to maximising Africa’s economic potential 

Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a rapidly expanding consumer market. However, the continent still faces significant challenges related to poverty, infrastructure deficits, lack of access to healthcare and education, and more. Overcoming these hurdles will require mobilising resources, expertise, and coordinated action on a global scale. 

The organisers are bringing together some of the continent’s brightest minds in entrepreneurship, finance, technology, and the creative industries to dissect the opportunities that can emerge when we work together. From investors who were first movers in the continent’s industrial powerhouses and unicorns to the commercial minds taking Afrobeats to the world, they have convened an inspiring set of distinguished speakers who will provide thought-provoking insights on the African business ecosystem. 

Big growth opportunities to be explored at the conference 

At Cambridge Judge Business School, I am the Co-Chair of the Cambridge Africa Business Network, a role that I am extremely passionate about. This might be because it’s the continent that I call home or from a strictly professional angle. My experience as an investment professional analysing African markets for nearly a decade has opened my eyes to its massive growth opportunities, despite the challenges. Whatever the explanation is, I am glad to share this sentiment with a group of remarkable and driven classmates.

Toyosi Oni, Co-Chair of CABN and Class of 2023/24 MBA student Cambridge Africa Business Conference

The Cambridge Africa Business Conference, the 9th such conference to be held at Cambridge Judge, takes place at the Business School on Saturday 18 May, throughout the day and evening.

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The post Forging global alliances: the 2024 Cambridge Africa Business Conference appeared first on Cambridge Judge Business School.

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