Steven N. Adjei built a career as a pharmacist but always felt something was missing that he couldn’t put his finger on. He was interested in business and leadership but wasn’t sure how he could apply that interest.
Steven chose to do a Distance Learning MBA at Warwick Business School (WBS) to remain close to his family and continue his job. With the leadership, strategy, and management skills he gained there, he set up his own business, BlueCloud Healthcare.
BlueCloud was formed to incubate African healthcare businesses that primarily served the booming middle class, introduce quality medicines into Africa, and develop a fund that would directly invest in scalable African healthcare businesses.
Making the jump from a pharmaceutical career to a leadership degree
Steven had a lengthy background in healthcare. Steven was born in the UK but moved to Ghana where he qualified as a pharmacist. When he moved back to the UK in 2001, he qualified there too and was one of the first black pharmacists in Plymouth, Devon. However, he always felt there was more he could do.
He was interested in business and leadership when he was young, and he felt an MBA would allow him to discover his path beyond pharmacy.
“When I was a child, I was always drawn to business books, leadership books, and books about self-improvement. I knew I had to do more than be a pharmacist, and I needed the MBA to unlock something more,” Steven says.
Steven decided a Distance Learning MBA would be the best decision for him and his family. His son and daughter were five and three, his wife worked full-time, and since they had no family in the UK, he wanted to stay close to them.
Another factor that affected his decision was the need to earn money throughout his studies.
“I couldn’t leave my job for a whole year, and I needed some income to come in for my family and to afford the MBA,” Steven explains. “I wanted to have the best of both worlds.”
WBS struck the perfect balance between distance learning and quality education.
“I researched many courses. Warwick offers the best flexibility at the best quality.”
Gaining a transferable leadership skillset at Warwick Business School
In 2022, Warwick Business School's Distance Learning MBA was ranked the best online MBA in the world by the Financial Times for the fifth year in a row.
The WBS Distance Learning MBA prioritizes flexibility. You can complete the program in two to four years and stop or slow down if your circumstances or job need to take precedence.
This flexibility meant Steven could apply what he learned in class at work in real-time. He says this was a highlight of the program.
“I loved that I could apply what I was learning directly. The next day I could go to work and apply what I was learning on strategy and managing people or finance and accounting. That was very compelling, and the quality was brilliant,” Steven says.
The Distance Learning MBA’s core modules include Leadership and Innovation and Strategic Entrepreneurship, and you can choose from a range of electives, including International Business and Corporate Finance.
“Being born in the UK but living in Africa, I was particularly enthralled by the international business strategy side. We learned about culture, how countries differ and how they do business.”
Not only did Steven learn about international business he also forged a network of international contacts, including people from Nigeria, the US, and Europe. He launched BlueCloud with a fellow colleague from WBS, and they still work very closely with fellow Warwick MBA alumni all over the world.
Launching his own healthcare company
Steven launched BlueCloud Healthcare in his last few months at WBS.
“It was at the end of my course that I finally realized what I wanted to do – to launch a company that focused on healthcare, incubation strategies, and investments in Africa.”
With the knowledge he built up at Warwick and his experience in healthcare both in the UK and Africa he felt he had the skills necessary to channel his ambitions and start his own company bringing healthcare to Africa’s growing economy. He fine-tuned his strategy by using his MBA project to research into successful healthcare innovation and investment in Africa.
“We specialize in bringing products, quality medicines, and quality products from the UK, the US, Dubai, and India into Africa because of the shortage of medicines,
“There are lots of long-term diseases happening: hypertension, diabetes, asthma. So-called Western diseases, which they were ill-equipped to handle, so we stepped in to try to fill the void,” Steven explains.
As part of BlueCloud’s mandate to promote healthcare investment in Africa, Steven has organized and been a keynote speaker at conferences across the world, from Cape Town, Dubai, Nairobi, Accra, and London.
Steven also partnered with a charity called Compassion to sponsor high-achieving Africans who want to further their healthcare career.
Since then, Steven’s entrepreneurial ambitions in healthcare have flourished. BlueCloud signed a deal with a British medicines manufacture in 2021, merged with the Emerald Group, a Dubai-based consulting firm, and now have offices in London, Dubai and Delhi and is planning a fourth office in Accra, Ghana in 2023. He’s also written a bestselling book, Pay The Price: Creating Ethical Entrepreneurial Success through Purpose, Pain, and Passion (see picture) which offers a fresh perspective on Ethical Entrepreneurship.
Despite his success, Steven still works at the pharmacy in Plymouth but is becoming increasingly involved in the business as the revenues for the merged company grow.
I loved Warwick business school.
The staff is supportive, my academic tutor was key in my development throughout the 3 years and you have to meet with her/him every term. Most professors are helpful and would happily offer support if needed. You also have office hours and can contact professors by email and through the forum.
In general, WBS instills in you the willingness to learn and the resilience needed for you for whatever career you choose.
Very international community which broadens your horizon and makes you more open minded and self aware. You will most certainly make friends and memories for life. I recommend that you get outside of your comfort zone and try new activities with your friends!
WBS also has a great reputation and offers careers opportunities, and careers support throughout the degree.
There is the opportunity to do a year abroad to further develop on a personal level. I wasn’t able to do this due to Covid but I would have loved to do it during normal circumstances! Would definitely recommend this.
Although Warwick is not a city university, the campus vibe has a lot of advantages, especially at an undergraduate level. You are always around familiar faces, and in a student environment. Moreover, Birmingham is only 20 mins away from Leamington spa and London is only one hour away! Perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway!
Student
Verified
1/12/2022
On Campus
Life at Warwick Business School
Pursuing my master's degree at WBS has been a game-changer in my life. With high-quality education, interaction with students from across the world, amazing campus life and much more. I was able to learn about business, finance, project management and strategy all in one course: MSc in Management at WBS. Besides the top-notch education from the best professors, I also enjoyed being a part of fun societies and participating in fun activities such as scavenger hunts and so much more.
The school also organises many company visits and interactions which help students get a head start at finding a job. As my course came to an end, I also have a good full-time job placement in my hands.
Overall, my experience at WBS was a great one.
Asad
Verified
27/06/2022
Blended
Outstanding
The Warwick Business School was like a dream come to life for me. The University ranking speaks for itself, from top-tier facilities to some of the best professors I had to honour to study with I fell in love with my course. Interactions with people from all over the world gave me a newfound confidence in myself.
Career prospects after graduating are endless due to the contacts of the universities and the success rate for previous students, it does open a lot of doors for students in various career fields. The campus life is quite good as well with a lot of student groups and clubs, and extra circular activities to engage students at all times. Loved my experience.
Wenrui
Verified
19/05/2022
On Campus
A good business school
It is a very cutting-edge, career-oriented business school, all courses are very practical, and the college does a very good job of career service. From the hardware and facilities to the staff, the student experience is at the core of the school and student satisfaction is taken very seriously. I understand that many universities in the UK are relatively traditional and can occasionally be rigid in terms of rules and regulations, and although WBS has a relatively short history, this makes it more innovative and dynamic, which is essential for a business school. The downside is that because it is on the outskirts of Coventry, it is a long bus ride to the city centre, not to mention the difference in experience from a big city like London.
Hrithik
Verified
2/09/2020
On Campus
Campus
The people, campus, staff. It’s a very enjoyable environment and it’s particularly good for learning and playing sports. The people there are extremely friendly and welcoming and it’s very easy to make friends
Student
Verified
3/08/2020
What I Like About Warwick
I’ve personally liked my experience at Warwick so far because of the amazing people I’ve gotten to meet and how many opportunities we students are provided with to learn and grow.
Within Warwick, I’m part of the Business School, a learning haven comprised of well-structured modules and extremely helpful people
All in all, a great place to be :)
Student
Verified
27/07/2020
Campus Life
One thing that stood out for me was the campus life, you felt like part of a community. The social aspects of the student union and on-campus accommodation meant you can easily get together and enjoy with friends. Additionally, I felt the course provided a variety of subjects allowing me to enhance my knowledge, from Marketing to Law and Finance. Overall I would most definitely recommend this university to friends and family.
Student
Verified
6/07/2020
Excellence self catered
The campus is very welcoming and Modern. There are many opportunities at Warwick but it is up to the student how do they want to make the most out of it and the staff at the school will definitely helo as much as possible. The location and the ranking have been amazing.
Bakytzhan
Verified
4/07/2020
Warwick business school
Warwick business school is one of the best universities around the globe with a solid base of economic and business studies. Moreover, students get a chance to study in a diverse and warm environment with professional stuff which tries to provide the best opportunities for career development. One of the memorable features of the university are great events which sometimes take a place in one of the landmarks of the London city, the Shard building.
Student
Verified
12/08/2023
On Campus
BSc Management with Marketing
I loved Warwick business school.
The staff is supportive, my academic tutor was key in my development throughout the 3 years and you have to meet with her/him every term. Most professors are helpful and would happily offer support if needed. You also have office hours and can contact professors by email and through the forum.
In general, WBS instills in you the willingness to learn and the resilience needed for you for whatever career you choose.
Very international community which broadens your horizon and makes you more open minded and self aware. You will most certainly make friends and memories for life. I recommend that you get outside of your comfort zone and try new activities with your friends!
WBS also has a great reputation and offers careers opportunities, and careers support throughout the degree.
There is the opportunity to do a year abroad to further develop on a personal level. I wasn’t able to do this due to Covid but I would have loved to do it during normal circumstances! Would definitely recommend this.
Although Warwick is not a city university, the campus vibe has a lot of advantages, especially at an undergraduate level. You are always around familiar faces, and in a student environment. Moreover, Birmingham is only 20 mins away from Leamington spa and London is only one hour away! Perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway!
Student
Verified
1/12/2022
On Campus
Life at Warwick Business School
Pursuing my master's degree at WBS has been a game-changer in my life. With high-quality education, interaction with students from across the world, amazing campus life and much more. I was able to learn about business, finance, project management and strategy all in one course: MSc in Management at WBS. Besides the top-notch education from the best professors, I also enjoyed being a part of fun societies and participating in fun activities such as scavenger hunts and so much more.
The school also organises many company visits and interactions which help students get a head start at finding a job. As my course came to an end, I also have a good full-time job placement in my hands.
Overall, my experience at WBS was a great one.
Asad
Verified
27/06/2022
Blended
Outstanding
The Warwick Business School was like a dream come to life for me. The University ranking speaks for itself, from top-tier facilities to some of the best professors I had to honour to study with I fell in love with my course. Interactions with people from all over the world gave me a newfound confidence in myself.
Career prospects after graduating are endless due to the contacts of the universities and the success rate for previous students, it does open a lot of doors for students in various career fields. The campus life is quite good as well with a lot of student groups and clubs, and extra circular activities to engage students at all times. Loved my experience.
Wenrui
Verified
19/05/2022
On Campus
A good business school
It is a very cutting-edge, career-oriented business school, all courses are very practical, and the college does a very good job of career service. From the hardware and facilities to the staff, the student experience is at the core of the school and student satisfaction is taken very seriously. I understand that many universities in the UK are relatively traditional and can occasionally be rigid in terms of rules and regulations, and although WBS has a relatively short history, this makes it more innovative and dynamic, which is essential for a business school. The downside is that because it is on the outskirts of Coventry, it is a long bus ride to the city centre, not to mention the difference in experience from a big city like London.
Hrithik
Verified
2/09/2020
On Campus
Campus
The people, campus, staff. It’s a very enjoyable environment and it’s particularly good for learning and playing sports. The people there are extremely friendly and welcoming and it’s very easy to make friends
Student
Verified
3/08/2020
What I Like About Warwick
I’ve personally liked my experience at Warwick so far because of the amazing people I’ve gotten to meet and how many opportunities we students are provided with to learn and grow.
Within Warwick, I’m part of the Business School, a learning haven comprised of well-structured modules and extremely helpful people
All in all, a great place to be :)
Student
Verified
27/07/2020
Campus Life
One thing that stood out for me was the campus life, you felt like part of a community. The social aspects of the student union and on-campus accommodation meant you can easily get together and enjoy with friends. Additionally, I felt the course provided a variety of subjects allowing me to enhance my knowledge, from Marketing to Law and Finance. Overall I would most definitely recommend this university to friends and family.
Student
Verified
6/07/2020
Excellence self catered
The campus is very welcoming and Modern. There are many opportunities at Warwick but it is up to the student how do they want to make the most out of it and the staff at the school will definitely helo as much as possible. The location and the ranking have been amazing.
Bakytzhan
Verified
4/07/2020
Warwick business school
Warwick business school is one of the best universities around the globe with a solid base of economic and business studies. Moreover, students get a chance to study in a diverse and warm environment with professional stuff which tries to provide the best opportunities for career development. One of the memorable features of the university are great events which sometimes take a place in one of the landmarks of the London city, the Shard building.
