For Chris Middlebrook, the MBA at Lancaster University Management School was the natural next step to prepare for taking on greater responsibility in leading the family company, Oakmere Homes, into the next generation of growth.

“I gained a degree in Civil Engineering from Warwick University and afterwards worked for different companies and pursued my own property development and investment interests. But when the opportunity emerged to take a management role in the new homes business I wanted to ensure that I had the full range of skills which would be required.

“The MBA gave me exposure to a much broader spectrum of business experience while also honing my negotiating, marketing and project management skills. It is a challenging course to complete in a year, but hugely enjoyable to be working alongside such a diversely talented group of people.

“I deal with business leaders and local and national Government figures in the course of our day to day business, and the MBA gives a solid grounding for developing those relationships in a constructive and productive way. It is a superb preparation for taking up the leadership of a business.

“Over the past four years since I left LUMS, Oakmere has grown six-fold despite the challenging economic conditions, especially in the construction sector. I am proud to have been able to contribute to that success and I owe so much of it to the knowledge and experience gained at Lancaster University and the amazing staff there.”