Research reveals Middlesex one of the best UK universities for students who want to become CEOs

MDX has come 10th out of 121 universities at which alumni are most likely to go on to become a CEO or managing director

A study carried out by Novuna Invoice Finance, analysed data from over 8.4 million alumni who had left 121 UK universities since the year 2000 and had gone on to become either CEOs, Managing Directors or start their own business and revealed that Middlesex came 10^th.

The research was covered by Business Leader which concluded that: “Although the top three on the list are ranked among some of the best universities in the country, the study revealed a pattern that shows budding business leaders need not only apply to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities to stand the best chance of becoming a CEO or MD."

MDX has a proud history of supporting and encouraging student entrepreneurs with previous research from Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance revealing one in seven of our graduates own or manage their own business.

Our Enterprise Development Hub helps around 600 students every year and works with more than 70 local and national businesses.

Successful entrepreneurial alumni include famous names such as David Buttress who founded the app JustEat, Anne Boden, the CEO and founder of Starling Bank, and Tim Campbell MBE the first winner of the hit television show The Apprentice in 2005.

Dr Simon Best, Senior Lecturer in Management at Middlesex believes the main reasons for the University’s success in nurturing future CEOs is the recognition of the changing business landscape and the need to shape the skills of students who want to become a business owner or a CEO of a company. He said:

“Middlesex has adapted to the changing business landscape and we provide a wide range of programmes and activities that are designed to help students develop their enterprising, entrepreneurial and innovation skills. Many of our lecturers bring real world experiences of having started and run businesses before becoming academics. This puts us in a strong position to teach and train the business owners and CEOs of the future.”

The entrepreneurial initiatives that Middlesex champions include:

Entrepreneurial Barnet: The Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition is a contest to promote and develop enterprise throughout Barnet and amongst the student population. It offers Middlesex University, Barnet and Southgate College students and local residents the opportunity to showcase their ideas, attend business development workshops and win funding to help grow their business. The competition is led by Middlesex University, London Borough of Barnet and Barnet and Southgate College with the generous support of Santander Universities. There is a cash prize fund of £10,000.

MDXcelerator: This is a Start-up Support Programme for MDX students and alumni. The programme is dedicated to supporting highly committed students and alumni from all backgrounds and a diverse spectrum of ideas and aspirations by offering a unique programme of masterclasses and workshops delivered by successful entrepreneurs; networking opportunities; 1:1 mentoring from successful business founders and the chance to pitch for seed-funding.

Start Up Grants: With the help of Santander Universities, students have the opportunity to set up and run a micro business that could one day become something bigger.  Santander offers five grants of £1,000 to the winners. The aim is to enable students to develop their business planning skills with the view of setting up and running a micro business.

"This entrepreneurial spirit will be so important in the post-pandemic recovery in developing new businesses and jobs. Equally important is that so many of our students are committed to sustainability so their business ideas will contribute to society and help shape a better world." Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor, Middlesex University

Commenting on the Novuna Business Cash Flow study, Professor Nic Beech, Vice Chancellor of Middlesex said:

“We’re incredibly proud of the leadership skills students develop at Middlesex. It’s a place where they can explore, test and develop new ideas and ventures with the support of an amazing academic team.

“This entrepreneurial spirt will be so important in the post-pandemic recovery in developing new businesses and jobs. Equally important is that so many of our students are committed to sustainability so their business ideas will contribute to society and help shape a better world.”

Two recent MDXcelerator winners demonstrate their commitment to the environment while pursuing them dream of running their own business.

Luigi Castellano, a student on the BA in Business Management 2020-21 course, won the £7,500 top prize for his accessories and home furnishing business Xuonii, which reinvents everyday products in a more practical and environmentally friendly way. Large furniture, such as tables and beds, or accessories, such as backpacks and luggage, can be folded or disassembled to be stored in small spaces when not in use. Xuonii products are manufactured using recycled aluminium, plastic, rubber, and bio-degradable materials such as nylon, bamboo, cotton and bio-TPU to avoid creating the landfill rubbish that most accessories and furniture tends to generate.

Runner up Courtney Wilson, who has a BA in Fashion Textiles from Middlesex University, is currently studying on the MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship.

Her business, 624 STUDIOS is a luxury and eco-conscious fashion brand, offering one-of-a-kind womenswear collections made of textile waste along with an online community where people can share style tips and raise social awareness about sustainable fashion.

Find out more about studying Business at Middlesex.