Explore insights from Alliance Manchester Business School MBA graduate Kehinde Oke on how global leadership projects, cross-cultural collaboration, and original thinking shaped his business mindset. This MBA enabled a smooth transition from FMCG to Kenvue and helps him apply strategic decision-making and leadership skills to real-world challenges every single day.
With campuses in the UK, UAE, China, and Singapore, Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) offers global exposure. AMBS fosters a growth mindset through MBA global leadership projects, stellar academics, global exposure, and practical value, making it the perfect choice for graduates like Kehinde Oke.
Kehinde Oke graduated from AMBS and now leads customer development at Kenvue, UK. He came from an FMCG background and chose this Master of Business Administration (MBA) to sharpen his leadership skills and explore career opportunities. Kehinde is originally from Nigeria and now works in the UK as a customer development manager for Kenvue.
Kehinde explains why he chose AMBS, “Among the top global MBAs, Manchester did offer a good learning experience, has a good reputation, and also offers good value for money,” he explains. (00:58)
The Manchester Method teaches leadership by involving students in real consultancy work. Students solve real business problems instead of only studying theory in classrooms. This MBA degree proves its value through hands-on consultancy projects from day one.
“In terms of the Manchester method, which is how the MBA is actually run… it’s very practical. You get to do [a] consultancy project,” Kehinde says. (00:32) Moreover, these projects sharpen leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Students work in new sectors and learn by doing. The method teaches them how to lead with empathy, systems thinking, and business insight. Kehinde highlights, “Before coming to the MBA…I was quite driven in terms of numbers…but getting on the MBA…shaped me [to] become a more holistic leader.” (01:11)
As a result, the program directed his focus towards strategy, sustainability, and shareholder value.
The MBA develops leadership by placing students in real business challenges across a wide range of sectors. Kehinde completed three consulting projects: social impact, commercial strategy, and international business.
Each project covered a new sector, tested fresh skills, and pushed him outside his comfort zone. Therefore, the Manchester Method uses this group project format to prepare students for global leadership roles in diverse sectors.
Importantly, this MBA builds adaptability and sharpens thinking through high-pressure, industry-specific projects. “Virtually all of them pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he states. (02:22) Thus, the MBA’s Manchester Method model drives growth through challenges.
Working with a UK music conservatory challenged creative thinking and market strategy skills. Kehinde recalls, “Going into music, learning about musical instruments, and designing a marketing strategy for a music school…something I’ve not done before. It pushed me out [of my comfort zone].” (02:43)
Subsequently, this project built creativity and adaptability beyond a profit-focused business.
In the commercial project, students built energy growth strategies from scratch. Consequently, they strengthened strategic thinking, communication, and adaptability, key traits for global leadership success.
The international project placed students in a pharmaceutical company. To succeed, they explored the healthcare ecosystem deeply.
The group examined how the pharmaceutical business is centered around healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the subsequent impact on management. Kehinde explains how the program explored, “What [an] HCP is… What do they do? How do they do it? And how is the entire landscape shaped?” he adds. (03:34)
Ultimately, tackling such complex challenges boosts their agility across industries and trends.
The program includes 30 nationalities across six continents to foster deep cultural collaboration.
Kehinde explains, “Working in a group, which was very diverse, actually meant you needed to first understand the group dynamics, understand the market you’re working with, understand the people you [are] working with, and also ensure you deliver value for the project.” (03:47)
Consequently, constant reshuffling prepares students to lead confidently in multicultural business settings.
With a focus on practical leadership and new mental models, these courses shift how students lead, decide, and collaborate under daily pressure. Most students expect finance and marketing courses at first. However, some classes teach practical leadership tools for daily decisions.
“What was very unexpected in terms of my learning, was around the science of decision making, which we did learn in a course called Exploring Management Decision Making,” he adds. (04:15)
Additionally, students grow by applying structured thinking and psychology under pressure. Faculty use strong analogies and real case studies to teach decision-making frameworks.
Kehinde reflects, “Professor Raza Salehnejad, who was our strategy professor, left quite an indelible mark in on me in terms of as a person. Not just because of his very engaging teaching style…but he has taught business concepts and brought everything together using very, very strong analogies that really helps you to remember…he talked about every business is a jigsaw, and you need everything to fit perfectly to actually deliver the business results.” (08:40)
As a result, this teaching style made complex business ideas easier to apply in real life for Kehinde.
Students gain cultural intelligence by working in diverse teams that change across projects and modules. Consequently, rotating teams help them build trust, adapt styles, and lead effectively across cultures.
Elective modules unite international students from Dubai, Singapore, and beyond. “People of the global MBA program, which are like studying in the Middle East in the Dubai campus or the Singapore campus, they also came into Manchester…that also strengthened, like, the connection,” he contemplates. (05:19)
Throughout the MBA, Kehinde switched teams and adapted to new groups. Kehinde says, “So I was thinking not just about what I was saying, but more about how people really interpreted what I was saying.” (06:26)
As a result, he adapted his tone, language, and style to team dynamics.
Students apply project-based learning to real-world problems across industries. The project-based curriculum prepares students to make confident business decisions from day one.
“One of the most critical ones for me, again, will be my skill around decision making. Every day, you come into the office, and you have loads and loads of decisions to make,” he adds. (06:54) Therefore, he uses this MBA-level thinking for high-impact decisions as fast-paced business leaders.
The MBA encourages students to question every assumption before choosing the right strategy. “Is not so much about the frameworks, but about what we call original thinking applied,” Kehinde contemplates. (07:41)
Subsequently, he can now invent and adapt solutions for complex global business challenges. This mindset helps AMBS graduates lead with clarity, creativity, and confidence.
Kehinde urges future students to approach the MBA with purpose and clear goals.
Every MBA journey starts with clear intentions and focused planning. Therefore, students reflect on their goals before applying. “Understand your goals and if you think AMBS will help you deliver the goals, please go for it,” he emphasizes. (09:27)
Importantly, students approach the MBA to accelerate meaningful career change. “Once you have that goal…use the MBA as a bridge to deliver your goal,” Kehinde recalls. (10:07) Ultimately, the program supports those who prepare with intention, direction, and purpose.
Overall, this program speeds up leadership growth using real consulting projects and cross-cultural group experiences. Students solve live business problems, apply strategy daily, and build confidence while expanding their networks. Kehinde Oke used the MBA to pivot industries and roles; now it’s your turn to take action.
Do you want to study for an MBA? Read more inspiring success stories from MBA graduates and see if it is the right next step for you.
