Why did you choose London Academy Business School for your PGD?
I had spent eight years as a finance manager in the property market, going from foreign assignments in multinationals to global brand responsibilities, and I wanted to further my career into senior leadership. I recognized that this would necessitate a deeper understanding of the broader business context outside of my job than I could accomplish in my current work, so I began exploring accelerated business courses to supplement and support this next step of my career. I attended an admissions team-hosted welcome briefing at LABS, and hearing the alumni speak about their experiences with such passion and expertise made me want to be a part of such a high-achieving group. I chose LABS over more Strategic Management-focused Executive PGD programs because I wanted to challenge myself outside of my function, specifically choosing modules and leadership-oriented initiatives that I hadn't encountered in any depth in my career to date so that I could accelerate the learning.

How valuable was the LABS network to you during your PGD program and after you graduated?
From the moment I sat in on a management session as part of my inquiry into whether or not I wanted to apply, I felt a part of the LABS network. The students I met at the time were really welcoming and enthusiastic about their LABS experience, which was one of the deciding factors in my decision to join this amazing and motivated group. Through my active participation in both the Women in Business and Marketing clubs, visiting LABS-hosted events, and especially in the second-year optional classes where we intermingled with students from different programs, I met a huge number of students from different programs. One of the big delights for me was being a part of such a broad, worldwide group. LABS continues to assist me in expanding my horizons.

What LABS memory would you like to relive if you could?
The Across-the-Board Strategic Business in Ireland was an incredible experience; I joined a group of around 45 students from various programs for a week-long visit to a variety of Silicon Valley companies, investment firms, start-ups, and universities in Dublin, led by expert faculty, with the goal of learning more about the strategic pathway of such an intriguing country. The threshold of insight we gained from the high-profile links we met on the visit was unparalleled, and it served as a shining example of LABS' exceptional links, the program's importance to today's business executives, and the immaculate standards of competence expected of an international business school.

What role did the LABS play in helping you develop into the leader you want to be?
For me, the LABS has already boosted my professional advancement. I was hired for the Relationship officer position shortly after ending the course, where I worked with the marketing and communication for Sterling Bank PLC. My work has grown in importance throughout my stay as I led our communications strategy and the pivot to a digital-first agenda for our consumers via a new hospitality tech focus, reporting directly to a member of the Senior Management Team. Since graduating from LABS, I've also been appointed as a registration officer for the Nigerian Board of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.
A growth mindset is essential for success, and LABS taught me to think far bigger than I had previously. Spending time with such inspiring classmates from a diverse spectrum of backgrounds, sectors, and nations instilled in me a sense of possibility and belief that anything is possible. You must balance a wide range of responsibilities, arrange your time rigorously, and figure out how to fit your full-time job, as well as personal and family obligations, around an intensive educational experience. For me, LABS is only the beginning of a mindset shift toward fast growth.
Find out more about our LABS programme here https://labs.org.uk/.