Overview
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are central to the Cambridge and Global Executive MBA experience. Our programmes are built on the evidence that diverse perspectives enrich learning, leadership and impact.
This commitment is reflected not only in the composition of our cohorts and teaching, but also in the frameworks (both institutional and physical) that we’ve established to embed EDI across Cambridge Judge Business School.
We actively cultivate an inclusive culture that supports and sustains a dynamic and diverse learning environment, aligned with the Business School’s broader values and mission.
Through an EDI perspective, we also create a sense of belonging, with the EMBA being the springboard for a lifelong, transformative relationship with the Business School.

The 2025 EMBA Diversity Breakfast welcomed 40 participants, highlighting its importance as a platform for community engagement and shared learning across the EMBA programmes.
The EMBA has been a transformative experience. The particular emphasis on EDI has really given me a competitive advantage.
A diverse classroom
Our diverse and highly global participant profile ensures you are immersed in a truly multicultural learning environment.
Nationalities in the Cambridge EMBA
Women in the Cambridge EMBA
Nationalities in the Global EMBA
Women in the Global EMBA
EDI in practice on the Executive MBA
The EMBA team and Cambridge Judge have overseen the implementation of structures, both institutional and physical, in order to continue to support the ongoing development of the diverse and inclusive environment that has been created at Cambridge Judge Business School, including:
Across Cambridge Judge, our facilities support a welcoming and accessible environment. These include:
- gender-neutral and accessible toilets
- a nursing and breastfeeding room
- medical and multi-faith spaces
- a new wellbeing room designed for exercise and reflection.
These physical provisions reinforce our commitment to inclusion not just in policy, but in everyday experience.
What these physical accessibility features mean is that we have spaces where people can have their needs met, and are able to access our programmes as the best version of themselves.
Discover the building’s layout and features through our virtual tours
Diversity and inclusion are embedded into the fabric of the Cambridge EMBA experience.
From the steady rise in women’s enrolment to the introduction of EDI principles aligned with the Business School’s wider EDI manifesto, these values shape our programme and community.
Our EMBA 2024 cohort exemplifies this commitment: 71 students with an average age of 42 and 14 years’ professional experience, representing 29 nationalities and achieving 46% female representation, with 33 women enrolled.
To foster inclusive leadership and peer support, each cohort elects a dedicated EDI Representative, an advocate for equity, community wellbeing, and continuous improvement in the EMBA’s inclusion practices.
This role also bridges the cohort with wider School activities, helping to embed EDI in meaningful, actionable ways.
The reps have a proud history, with each cohort running dedicated activities to bring EDI issues to life.
Launched in 2022 in response to student and alumni feedback, the EMBA Diversity Breakfast offers a dedicated space to explore themes of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within both business and academia.
What began as a small initiative has since become a valued fixture of Electives Week, fostering open, reflective dialogue on lived experience, inclusive leadership, and the role of diversity in shaping responsible business practice.
Now in its third year, the 2025 session welcomed around 40 participants—including students, faculty, and staff—underscoring the event’s growing impact and its importance as a platform for community engagement and shared learning across the EMBA programme.
Our EMBA EDI news channel showcases inspiring stories and impactful initiatives that highlight the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion across the Executive MBA and wider Cambridge Judge community.
From student-led projects to collaborative events, the channel reflects the lived values and real-world outcomes of our commitment to inclusive leadership.
A standout feature includes our partnership event with Inspire2Ignite, where EMBA students connected with local young people for an evening of mentorship, storytelling, and the exchange of social capital—demonstrating how business education can power meaningful social impact.
The EMBA class EDI representatives
Each Cambridge EMBA and Global EMBA cohort elects an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Representative to advocate for inclusive values and ensure student voices are heard. These representatives play an active role in shaping the School’s EDI agenda, contributing to institutional groups such as the Cambridge Judge EDI Committee, the Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (SAT) and the Diverse Case Studies Group.
Since their introduction, EDI reps have driven meaningful progress, supporting efforts to enhance curriculum diversity, promoting gender balance and balanced representation across the EMBA programmes and acting as a trusted point of contact for any queries or concerns. Their contributions continue to strengthen a culture of inclusion, accountability and shared responsibility.
Awards and nominations
Executive MBA students nominated for National Diversity Awards 2025
We are proud to celebrate the nominations of 2 Cambridge EMBA 2023 students, Lee Cortez (Celebrity of the Year) and Dr Chris Whitaker (Positive Role Model – Disability), for the prestigious National Diversity Awards 2025. These awards recognise individuals and organisations driving meaningful progress in diversity, equity and inclusion across the UK. Their nominations spotlight the transformative leadership and social impact our students bring beyond the classroom.
Lee Cortez
Advancing inclusive leadership and global equity
Lee Cortez, Head of Global Benefits at Block, leads international teams spanning mobility, benefits, and immigration. As Executive Sponsor of the Asian Pacific Islander Community, he champions inclusive HR practices that are both culturally responsive and locally grounded.
A recipient of the Dean’s Diversity Scholarship and elected EDI Representative for his cohort, Lee’s contributions at Cambridge Judge included delivering micro-aggressions training, hosting EDI-focused panels, and co-creating a youth engagement event with Inspire 2 Ignite CIC to connect at-risk young people with business leaders.
Lee’s work exemplifies values-driven leadership—embedding inclusion into policy, innovation, and global practice with humility and purpose.
Dr Chris Whitaker
Championing disability inclusion through lived experience and leadership
As Head of Disability at Sport England, Chris Whitaker shapes national policy and funding frameworks to better serve disabled communities. His contributions to disability sport were recognised with an honorary Doctorate for services to inclusion.
At Cambridge Judge, Chris received a Diversity Scholarship for his leadership in advancing disability equality. His initiatives included enhancing employment access for disabled individuals, improving disability representation within the curriculum, and collaborating with Lucy Cavendish College on accessibility and training.
Chris is a powerful advocate for change, combining lived experience, professional expertise, and academic insight to inspire progress in inclusive practice and leadership.
The Executive MBA team shortlisted for the The European Diversity Awards 2025
We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the Executive MBA team is a finalist in the prestigious European Diversity Awards 2025.
The European Diversity Awards are renowned for celebrating organisations and individuals who lead the way in innovation, creativity and unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Making it to the finals is an incredible milestone, and we couldn’t be more proud to be recognised for the work we’re so passionate about.
EMBA EDI news and insights
Programme news
Reflecting on the first Global Executive MBA cohort at Cambridge Judge Business School
In January 2024, Cambridge Judge Business School embarked on an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Global Executive MBA. This innovative programme marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time Cambridge Judge had offered regular teaching outside of Cambridge. Now, with the first cohort having successfully completed the programme, the Global Executive MBA has set a new standard in executive education, blending the renowned Cambridge experience with global exposure and flexible learning.
In the current, late-2025 climate of ongoing government restructuring, mass furloughs, budget pressures, and a federal shutdown in the US, Cambridge Judge Business School alumni with a similar background explain how the right business master's degree can prepare you to adapt, lead and pivot your career in new directions.
The Cambridge Judge Executive MBA team is a finalist for EDA 2025 Diversity Team of the Year, recognising its inclusive curriculum, culture and leadership in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.