Meet the MBA team
We pride ourselves in our personal approach. Meet the team who will work with, and support you, from the moment you start thinking about an MBA, throughout your studies and your post-MBA career.
Dr Javier Yanez-Arenas, MBA Director and Senior Lecturer
What’s your role on the MBA?
As MBA Director, I am responsible for leading the development of a curriculum that is evidence-based and research-led, ensuring a supportive learning environment, and supporting students’ development opportunities. I also coach colleagues, monitor progress, facilitate feedback, increase the MBA’s influence, recruit the best possible applicants, and enhance the programme’s international profile.
What’s your background?
I am from Colombia and was the Dean of the School of Management at the University of Los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. This included being engaged in international projects, consulting activities on strategy, strategic procurement, supply chain management and logistics. I launched the EMBA and I taught undergraduates, graduates, MBAs and Executive Education programmes. I have been directly involved in AACSB and EQUIS activities by building international networks and helping other schools in their commitment to continuous improvement.
What do you enjoy most about working with the Glasgow MBA team?
I am convinced that 21st century managers need both hard knowledge and soft skills. The academic and administrative staff in the MBA team are committed to bring out the best in each student to enrich their professional development. I very much enjoy working with committed people who do their best for the good of the students, helping them become people who change the world.
Why should students come here to study for the Glasgow MBA?
The School has chosen to keep the MBA programme relatively small; therefore, it is truly a personal learning experience. Every graduate can say, and always will say, the Glasgow MBA has a personal touch. The programme facilitates each student’s career development aligned with his or her professional goals. Each cohort is planned to bring large diversity to the programme in terms of nationalities and backgrounds. We also assure that those admitted have worked in positions of responsibility which involve exercising discretion in decision making. Students will be exposed to challenging and rewarding talks delivered by distinguished guests and graduates will enjoy a truly international network. The Glasgow MBA experience reflects why the School is triple accredited.
Please describe the MBA in five words:
Demanding, enriching, comprehensive, personal and international.
David Levinson, MBA Careers Manager
What’s your role on the MBA?
As the MBA Careers Manager, I provide individual support to our students and also deliver the MBA Professional Development, Careers and Employability (PDE) Award programme. The PDE programme includes content on self-reflection, understanding team roles and personality preferences and achieving career success.
It also covers a variety of practical topics from networking through to making effective applications and performing at an interview. I meet all the students on a one-to-one basis and am available throughout the MBA and beyond to help our students achieve their post-MBA career goals. I also build relationships with employers and am involved in organising an annual MBA Employability Conference with other leading business schools in Scotland.
What’s your background?
I have worked in academic, international student recruitment and careers-related roles for a number of UK universities for more than 20 years. I retrained to become a Careers Adviser in 2004 and have never looked back. I worked for both Newcastle University and the University of Edinburgh in careers roles prior to joining the Adam Smith Business School. After graduating in Economics and Marketing, I initially worked in sales and marketing roles and also completed a part-time MBA at Heriot-Watt University.
What do you enjoy most about working with the Glasgow MBA team?
Being student-centred is important to me. The team here at University of Glasgow are very supportive. We understand the importance to students of achieving the MBA and we are all here to make the journey a successful and enjoyable one.
Why should students come here to study for the Glasgow MBA?
The atmosphere and environment in the classroom is one of our greatest strengths. Students frequently tell us how much they enjoy the opportunity to learn from each other and how supportive our learning environment is. We get to know all of our students and are able to provide tailored support to identify students’ post-MBA career goals and help them make successful transitions.
Please describe the MBA in five words:
Engaging, challenging, transformative, supportive and life-changing.