Executive MBA Programme Testimonies - KEDGE Global MBA

What motivated you to join the KEDGE Executive MBA?
I began with short, highly specialized studies in supply chain, a sector that was booming at the time. This allowed for rapid progression, with increasing responsibilities, a successful expatriation experience, and the creation of two companies. My return to France marked a turning point: I felt the need to take a step back, reflect strategically, analyze my past choices, and identify the skills I was missing to begin a new phase in my career.

I’m a hands-on, operations-driven professional. For me, the MBA represented an opportunity to confront that experience with other perspectives and enrich my thinking through dialogue with peers from very diverse backgrounds.

I explored several schools, and it was KEDGE’s flexible and international approach that won me over: a multi-campus format, a wealth of profiles and diverse journeys — far from the more rigid frameworks of other programs. That mix of perspectives felt essential to me.

Was there a specific moment or trigger in your career that led you to this decision?
Yes. After an intense period of entrepreneurship in Turkey, returning to France gave me the opportunity to reflect. I realized that I lacked strategic tools. I had a strong capacity for action, but little time for reflection.

The real trigger was that moment of clarity: if I wanted to move toward a more strategic level, I needed to broaden my vision and better understand the major economic, financial, and human dynamics. Going back into salaried roles in highly strategic sectors like energy and maritime confirmed this insight. I had a strong appetite to learn and understand.

What skills or knowledge were you looking to acquire or strengthen?
I wanted to structure my strategic thinking, deepen my knowledge in finance, business models, and investment strategy, better understand innovation and R&D challenges at the enterprise level, improve collaboration with very different profiles, especially in multicultural contexts, and finally, strengthen my leadership posture with a more systemic approach.

How did the Executive MBA format and KEDGE’s positioning meet your expectations?
The KEDGE EMBA was a transformation for me, not an end in itself. It’s a demanding program that pushes you to question yourself while equipping you with strong tools. The human richness of the cohort was the most impactful aspect: you grow with and thanks to others.

On the academic side, several modules were pivotal:

- Multinational Finance and Geostrategy with Laurent Estachy transformed the way I read macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics. “Eyes opening,” as we say… and a true revelation for my curious mind, especially when it came to finance.

- Business Model Design with Philippe Méda helped me make sense of my entrepreneurial experiences: validating my successes, better understanding my failures, and overcoming that notorious imposter syndrome — especially since I had launched my ventures pragmatically, without a clear method.

- Strategic Innovation with Christophe Garonne gave me a clearer picture of what innovation truly is. Spoiler alert: it’s not necessarily disruptive tech. It’s often a new way of doing things — more aligned, more efficient, and better integrated into the company’s strategy. It was an excellent complement to Business Model Design and helped me structure my thinking and pinpoint what truly creates value, even in highly operational environments.

- Business Acumen with Ian Thomas pushed me to clarify my thinking and assert my leadership style — with fewer words but greater precision. I’ll never forget the elevator pitch exercise: daunting but transformative for someone as talkative as I am. :)

On the professional front, my way of working clearly evolved: more perspective, better stress management, a more horizontal, human-centered management style. The group work, often intense, taught me to listen, adapt, and better understand human dynamics. The EMBA helped strengthen my leadership posture and taught me what makes a career sustainable: clarity, integrity, alignment. There’s no room for pretenses — you need to be authentic and resilient.

On a personal level, I gained clarity, confidence, and awareness of my value. Interacting with others pushes you to redefine yourself and better understand what drives you. The MBA helps deconstruct old reflexes, accept both your strengths and your areas of vulnerability, and project yourself into the future with more alignment and precision.

What goals have you achieved since completing the EMBA?
Before even finishing the program, I was recruited into a general management position in a complex sector, the maritime energy transition. I’m not sure I would have dared apply without the program’s immediate impact and the encouragement of my peers. I’m deeply grateful to them.

I haven’t launched a new entrepreneurial project yet, but something is in the works. After managing two companies for 15 years, I now know what I was missing — and also what I instinctively did right. Over the next ten years, I want to create or lead a more ambitious, better-structured, high-impact project. I’m just waiting for the stars to align.

Did the program open up new opportunities or expand your professional network?
Yes, absolutely. I met professionals I would never have encountered otherwise. But beyond networking, true friendships were formed, deep bonds and a kind of enduring solidarity. I think of Philippe, a classmate who became a very close friend and whose passing deeply affected me. Experiences like this unite us far beyond the academic framework.

I could name Éric, Rémy, Cédric, Bénédicte, Yann, Jérémy, Brice, Marc, Lucille… and so many others. Among them: a colonel, a former elite athlete, engineers, financiers, tech experts, professionals from the agri-food, medical, and industrial sectors, business leaders… As many paths as perspectives. As many ways of thinking, deciding, and leading.

Today, they are friends, professionals I deeply respect, a living network, a well of experience I continue to draw from. They offer sincere feedback, complementary viewpoints, and sometimes simply a kind ear. That’s also what the EMBA is: a human journey, a close-knit community, and a solid foundation for what’s next.

Why did you choose an Executive MBA at KEDGE Business School?

Doing an MBA came quite naturally to me as part of my professional development. I've been lucky enough to work for some great companies, in which I've constantly progressed. As my career progressed, strategic choices and geopolitical contexts became increasingly important. It became clear to me that I had to step up my game in these areas to open new professional doors. KEDGE was the right choice for me. People are important to me and my first interactions reassured me of the importance of human relations at KEDGE Business School.

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Doing an Executive MBA at KEDGE means forging strong, lasting links with one’s peers.

The annual KEDGE Global MBA Alumni/Participants week-end is part of these special catch-up moments. 

It took place last June 23rd -25th in Marseille. A nice way for the MBA community to get to know each other’s, across intakes: new comers and alumni. 

The ambition of the organizing steering committee is to create a relaxed atmosphere in a pleasant environment to favour networking and friendly moments. Hopefully we managed!

This year was around KEDGE incubator on the Luminy campus-a discovery for some participants- where 3 start-ups pitched and generated fruitful exchanges; Chateau La Coste : Art & Wine tasting; and a boating & swimming afternoon at the Frioul islands.

What about joining this community next year ? Just push the door.

Philip have been part of KEDGE Global MBA’s 2011 intake. 

Can you tell us more about yourself and your background?

I was born and raised in Germany and left for England aged 16 to get my A-Levels. After completing school I enrolled at Loughborough university for studies which incorporated Economics with languages. As I was a good rugby player,  I left for France in my third university year to play for the CA Brive Corrèze club in the French first rugby division now called TOP 14.

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"17 marvelous years in the Navy and having achieved the role of Commander of nuclear submarines, I gained a wealth of technical experience and an ability to manage others. After my Navy career, the next challenge for me was to re-orient my career into business and enterprise with the Kedge Global Executive MBA. Today I continue my career with Bourbon, world leader in supporting off-shore petroleum platforms."

"For most of my career I have made video games, most notably I was the producer of Raving Rabbids. Later on I decided to build my own company, I wanted to be able to manage myself and my own business, to push it to the next level. The KEDGE Global Executive MBA gives me the opportunity to share my project and all that goes with it. Many things have evolved, I have met many people, the company has started to be known and my personal development has advanced. The EMBA is flexible with regards to my family life and fits perfectly with my professional schedule."

I'm a chemist and I'm currently the head of business developmentat a company called covestro which is formerly known as biomaterial science. My key takeway from the KEDGE EMBA is certainly that my own thinking in my own perspective is not the only one to take into account for any decision that you make in life and in business. My best memorie is the time that i spent with my classmates in China or the digital China class. It was really impressive and to see also how business is done in China and how the mentality and how business is completely different. And that was just amazing !  During the MBA i change positions so currently i try to gather more experience in the commercialrole that i'm currently doing in automotive business. Then, i'm hopefully going for a management career further in my company. Let's see ! I'm very really excited to see what the future holds for me.