Member Article

Deadline nears for UKFast MBA Scholarship

Last Chance! Business School opportunity closes tomorrow.

Tech brand UKFast is launching a Master of Business Administration (MBA) scholarship with Manchester Metropolitan University and applicants for the £6,000 scholarship have until Friday to be in with a chance.

Candidates are asked to produce a 60-second video pitch selling their business idea for a new or revised product or service. The winner will start their MBA in October.

Lawrence Jones MBE, CEO and founder of the Manchester-based technology firm, believes the UKFast scholarship supports his goal to nurture a new generation of digital entrepreneurs.

Jones said: “Business leaders have a responsibility to inspire and help those at the start of their entrepreneurial journey. Whilst it’s a very exciting time, it’s also overwhelming when you really consider the personal and financial sacrifices.

“Growing and nurturing talent is essential for us in Manchester. We have so much to offer businesses and entrepreneurs and we have to make sure that these opportunities are open to anyone with the skills and ambition to help us become the UK’s number one tech city.”

UKFast’s own training and development centre represents a £4.5 million investment from Jones, who puts education and training at the heart of UKFast’s engagement and growth strategy.

Jones added: “Education has always been at the heart of UKFast. It makes absolute sense to invest in the thriving economic landscape of Manchester and support business thinking among young entrepreneurs. This scholarship is a fantastic opportunity to help business-minded people develop and to celebrate entrepreneurialism.”

Jones has grown his cloud infrastructure company from a back-bedroom start-up venture to a £275m turnover enterprise employing 270 people over the past 16 years. Last year, he received an MBE for his services to the digital economy.

The MBA from Manchester Met is a globally recognised qualification, combining the teaching of essential business skills with the experience of international study tours and structured mentoring.

Jones said: “In business, having the right connections and mentors is essential. In my own career I’ve learned the most important lessons from listening to other entrepreneurs. The MBA from MMU puts students in touch with some of the greatest business people out there.

“This is a great chance for people with the right level of passion, innovation and dynamism to show that they can turn a good idea into a great business success.”

The UKFast MBA scholarship is one of three scholarships being offered this year by the University, alongside the Northern Powerhouse Innovator scholarship and the Women in Business Scholarship.

Dr Sara Ward, Manchester Met’s MBA and Executive Programmes Director, said: “MMU is delighted to offer the UKFast MBA scholarship to join our October intake. The University is passionate about connecting with Manchester’s vibrant business community. UKFast is a shining example of the entrepreneurial spirit in the city and the winner of this scholarship will be fortunate enough to benefit from Lawrence’s experience.”

Anyone interested in applying for the MBA scholarships should visit http://www.business.mmu.ac.uk/mba/.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tim Parker .