Before undertaking the Queen’s MBA, my career looked very different. I had spent over a decade as a professional rugby player, representing Bath, Ulster and Scotland. Sport taught me resilience, discipline, teamwork and the importance of performing under pressure, but when it came time to step away, I knew I needed to build a new foundation for a second career. I had an academic background following an undergraduate arts degree at Oxford, as well as the drive and transferable skills, but I lacked the technical grounding in business and the confidence to pivot into something new.

The Queen’s MBA was the bridge. What stood out to me was not just the academic rigour across strategy, finance and leadership, but also the diversity of perspectives in the classroom. I learned as much from my peers as I did from faculty. The course created an environment of challenge and debate, where I had to defend ideas, think differently and broaden my worldview. It was also practical, not abstract theory, but tools and frameworks I could immediately apply in real business contexts.

During the MBA, I joined Agathos, a UK lower mid-market private equity fund. The programme proved invaluable as I made that transition, equipping me with both the technical knowledge via modules such as corporate finance and accounting, and also the confidence to contribute meaningfully in a new industry from day one. I was able to apply what I was learning in the classroom directly to real-world challenges at the firm.

Today, I am Head of Investor Relations and Operations at Agathos. My role is varied. I manage relationships with our investors, while also overseeing the operational side of the business to make sure the firm itself runs as effectively as the companies we back. It’s a position that requires both analytical rigour and people skills, balancing strategy with execution. I wouldn’t have been able to step into this world without the grounding and confidence the MBA gave me.

The impact of the programme goes beyond technical knowledge. For me, the biggest shift was mindset. Queen’s taught me to back myself, to adapt, and to see opportunity where at first there might only appear to be risk. It gave me the courage to build a second career in a sector that, from the outside, might have felt inaccessible. Just as importantly, the alumni network has been an enduring source of support, providing connections, encouragement and inspiration long after graduation.

For anyone considering the Queen’s MBA, I would wholeheartedly encourage it. The programme goes far beyond textbooks and exams, it is an experience that challenges how you think, broadens your horizons and helps you to redefine your own potential. For me, it provided the technical skills, the confidence and the support network to make a career pivot. It also instilled a mindset of adaptability and continuous learning that I draw on every day. Whether you are looking to accelerate your current path or change direction entirely, the Queen’s MBA can be a genuinely transformative step in your career.

Simon Danielli

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