An Innovative Executive MBA with a Global Focus
Imperial Business School is one of the U.K.’s most highly-ranked educational institutions. Based in London, the school combines tech-based learning, STEM-focused business insights, entrepreneurship, and leadership training. The Imperial Executive MBA equips modern professionals to apply cutting-edge science, technology, and analytical thinking to accelerate their careers or make a successful pivot. With a focus on leadership, technology, and building a global network, the part-time Executive MBA provides a first-class opportunity for success.
Tom Zrihen came to the Imperial Business School Executive MBA as an ambitious executive leader with experience managing several multinational technology companies. Yet, the Imperial Executive MBA gave him an even broader perspective on his career.
“I came to the program already with quite a lengthy career, but there’s obviously much more to do. So, instead of continuing on the same path, [I wanted to] observe and see what else I can do,” explains Tom. (02:05)
From the early days of the program, Tom was able to take a step back and evaluate his career path. He began to think about how to take on challenging leadership roles with a more global focus.
For Tom, flexibility was an essential factor when it came to choosing an Executive MBA program. He was working full-time for a successful tech company, Cloudinary, in a role that demanded frequent travel. He even relocated to Zurich, Switzerland, midway through the program. These career commitments, together with family life, meant that Imperial’s blended format was the perfect fit.
“Having this weekend-focused program in a more flexible manner was really beneficial for me,” he says. (03:58) He further elaborates, “In a way, this flexibility actually gave me the structure that I needed to continue everything else I do while taking this course. For me, [this structure] was very beneficial, I would say even critical.” (04:22)
The Executive MBA’s blended learning approach also enabled Tom to bring newly acquired skills and knowledge to the workplace. While minimizing disruption to his career, he began to notice that the program was having an immediate impact. Taking some electives at a partner institution in Switzerland afforded Tom even more flexibility. Hence resulting in a wider perspective, an opportunity to deepen his knowledge in targeted areas, and expand his network.
An Immersive Learning Experience in London
Imperial Business School’s setting gives students an unparalleled opportunity to study in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. With London being a strategic tech and finance hub, the school provides extensive networking opportunities and access to leading global companies.
The Imperial Executive MBA’s blended format combines online study with classes and lectures on campus. This gives students an exceptional balance of flexibility and immersive, in-person learning experiences.
Tom believes that the blended learning structure brought unexpected benefits. With a small, intimate cohort, the London in-person sessions provided an opportunity to focus on deep, intensive learning.
“It made every session much more focused,” he explains. “We had meaningful discussions, and we could have good interactions, both with each other and with the professors and the lecturers.” (05:04) “You would come once a month to this small, high-caliber think-tank and we all appreciated that time,” he adds. (06:10)
Enhancing the academic experience, the in-person meet-ups offer students the chance to form strong bonds, with social activities organized by Imperial itself, as well as by the cohort. London’s culturally-rich environment is ideal for creating those all-important social connections.
Shaping a Unique Leadership Style
The Imperial Executive MBA pathway is designed for those who want to evolve their leadership style to be more thoughtful, adaptive, and effective across diverse teams and global contexts. The curriculum helped Tom to develop a more reflective and intentional form of leadership. One that he honed into his own over the course of the program.
“I think it helped me become more nuanced, especially when influencing across different cultures and across different roles,” he explains. (06:44) “I think most importantly, becoming a better listener and becoming more curious, learning from others’ experience became a core part of my leadership style.” (06:56)
The program is designed to challenge the way students think, encouraging them to widen their perspectives and lead with presence and empathy. With a focus on self-reflection, it empowers students to forget their own singular brand of leadership.
Career Impact and Employment Outcomes for the Imperial Executive MBA
One of the defining advantages of the Imperial Business School Executive MBA is the ability to translate learning into real career momentum, without stepping away from full-time work. By applying new frameworks, leadership approaches, and strategic thinking in real time, many students see tangible professional gains during or shortly after the program.
Recent Imperial Executive MBA cohorts report strong employment outcomes, including salary growth, senior-level promotions, and successful career transitions across industries and geographies. Graduates frequently move into expanded leadership roles, take on greater strategic responsibility, or leverage the program to pivot into new sectors such as technology, consulting, and entrepreneurship.
After the Imperial Executive MBA, Tom gained the confidence and network to transition from VP of Operations at Cloudinary to operate as a Fractional COO and form strategic partnerships with founders and investors to build high-performing teams and scale up high-growth organisations. This kind of boldness only comes from the foundational support of a well-rounded MBA and strong alumni network – like the one he found at Imperial.
Inspirational Global Perspectives
Every Imperial Executive MBA student has the opportunity to immerse themselves in different business ecosystems with a range of international experiences.
Global immersions include residencies in business hubs throughout Europe, the U.S., and Asia, as well as visits to top educational institutions.
Tom recalls, “The ability to visit other world-leading universities reignited my passion for learning.” (08:51) He further adds, “Going and seeing universities like MIT, Stanford, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, these were all amazing experiences.” (09:07)
For him, having the chance to view business from a completely different perspective was key.
“We live in Europe, which has its challenges. But then you come, and you learn about huge markets such as China, Hong Kong, and the U.S… It has broadened my understanding of global challenges and opportunities.” (09:40)
These international experiences fuelled Tom’s desire to build a bridge between business and academia. This desire, he says, has acted as a catalyst, flipping his thinking from a “local map to [a] world map.” (10:12) This further calcified his global mindset.
Leveraging the Imperial Alumni Network
As Tom discovered during his Executive MBA, the learning doesn’t stop after graduation. Like all exceptional educational experiences, many of the benefits come after the program has ended.
“While I’m fairly new to the alumni group, I’m already taking advantage of it. Mostly, from the network, meeting great people, both from my cohort but [also] other cohorts,” he explains. (10:45)
Tom adds, “Having a great network of people that can give you peer support or introductions that can open doors… on top of it, genuine friendships that can continue after the program. Personally, for me, as I’m moving countries… it’s something that creates another community.” (11:02)
Indeed, tapping into Imperial’s extensive alumni network is one of the key advantages of studying for an Executive MBA at this leading London-based business school. Professional platforms such as The Enterprise Lab offer insights and advice, while regular alumni events provide students with the chance to form personal and professional bonds with fellow Imperial students and alumni.
For Tom and his fellow alumni, it’s all part of the lifelong learning habit instilled by one of the U.K.’s premier institutions.
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