Programme: Cambridge Executive MBA 2009
Country: South Africa
Company: Head of Transaction Management, Investec Asset Management
Education: University of Witwatersrand
I believe the key to any meaningful learning experience is the calibre and diversity of the people you interact with and the opportunities you are presented with to learn from them.
Broaden knowledge and skills
“I undertook the Cambridge Executive MBA in order to broaden my knowledge and skills beyond that of a business lawyer and to re-align my career path and become a more rounded, perceptive business executive.
“I believe the key to any meaningful learning experience is the calibre and diversity of the people you interact with and the opportunities you are presented with to learn from them. The format of the Cambridge Executive MBA allows it to literally attract executives working all over the globe. The monthly face-to-face interaction with talented faculty and colleagues from diverse industries, organisations and backgrounds was invaluable. In addition the emphasis placed on the programme being highly practical and collaborative was key to ensuring that this interaction was of the highest quality and was maintained across the globe between monthly sessions.”
Development of ‘soft’ skills
“In addition to covering all the typical ‘hard’ MBA courses such as accounts, finance and management science with rigour, the Cambridge Executive MBA importantly also focuses on the development of ‘soft’ skills. I think this is a unique and powerful differentiator; for experienced executives who are often already technically competent, being more aware of their own behaviour and how they interact with others in a team can enhance their ability to persuade, influence, empathise and negotiate, and allow them to be more effective.”
Transitioning roles
“Since completing the Executive MBA I have moved role within my company and moved location from London to Zurich. The programme has enabled me to confidently transition from my role as a business lawyer to the head of team with a non-legal function from which I believe I am well positioned to further advance my career as a more rounded, perceptive business executive.”
Biography
Ed holds a law degree from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Prior to joining the programme he was an associate at top South African law firm, Bowman Gilfillan, and a business lawyer at Man Group, working in Zurich, New York and London.