Tell us a little about your career background?
I was the first in my family to pursue higher education: a degree in Economics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. However, despite graduating in the top 10% of my class, I faced a job market devastated by Greece’s worst economic collapse in modern history.
This challenging environment taught me the importance of perseverance and that professional success should never be taken for granted. However, I never doubted the importance of good education. I decided to gain an international education in the UK. This leap of faith would prove transformative.
After completing my MSc in Logistics and SCM, I began my career as a Supply Chain Project Manager for the Saint-Gobain group. Just a year later I was promoted to Senior Supply Chain Analyst. This was a pivotal moment in my career—I learnt early lessons in leadership, gained hands-on experience in recruiting and managing talent, and worked cross-functionally to drive operational efficiencies.
Eager to gain international experience, I then joined Hilti as Team Leader for Northern Europe, later transitioning to sales, taking on the role of National Key Account Manager. At that stage of my career, I realised mentorship alone would not deliver the speed or quality of impact I aspired to achieve. I needed a more powerful catalyst to accelerate my professional trajectory. This led me to consider the Oxford MBA.
When I expressed interest in the programme, Hilti took the extraordinary step of offering me sponsorship. This highlighted both Hilti’s exceptional commitment to developing diverse leadership talent and their confidence in my potential.
As I step into the next chapter of my career in consultative selling as a Solutions Consultant, I continue to believe in the power of education. Oxford has helped me develop not only in a technical and strategic sense, but also as a more capable, ambitious, and confident leader.
Why was an Oxford MBA important to help you understand a global view of business where markets, trade and work are transforming at a rapid rate?
Most sectors are experiencing rapid change driven by both internal and external factors. The construction and power tools industry, where I’ve built my career, faces significant challenges, one of which stands out—its environmental impact. The industry accounts for 35% of global CO₂ emissions and consumes over 40% of the world’s energy.
As sustainability moves from priority to necessity, leaders must drive innovation, adopt greener technologies, and rethink traditional processes to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint while maintaining efficiency and profitability. Addressing this and other world-scale problems requires leaders with a deep understanding of business dynamics, supply chains and emerging technologies. Leaders who can anticipate change, connect the dots, and craft solutions that are both strategic and scalable.
The Oxford MBA allowed me to walk that path alongside those who had similar goals and learn from their experiences. And in today's world, where no one can be exceptional at everything, the MBA gave me the opportunity to learn from experts who are exceptional in their field. I connected with professionals from over 60 countries with diverse backgrounds and industry expertise.
This diversity of thought fundamentally changed me not only as a professional but as a person. Leaving Oxford I am much better equipped with the cultural fluency needed to influence change on a global scale.
Oxford changed my mindset and put me in the best position to drive meaningful change in an industry that must evolve to build a sustainable future.
As someone who received sponsorship from your company, how did you hope the MBA would support your career progression?
I wanted my MBA to really deliver in terms of accelerating my career progression and preparing me for the demanding roles I was aiming for.
The solid foundation I’d developed in my industry was valuable, but I knew that it alone could not deliver the speed or quality of impact I aspired to achieve. That’s why I planned my MBA journey around three key pillars:
1. Expanding my knowledge base
I knew that my future role after the MBA would be Solution Selling Consultant, where a mix of both technical expertise and interpersonal skills is essential. I hoped that the MBA would deliver hard knowledge in areas essential for analysing my customers' businesses while also helping me develop the soft skills I’d need when engaging with business owners and executives. This led me to carefully select electives like Mergers & Acquisitions and specialised electives in negotiations and reputation management.
2. Building a strong professional network
Another crucial aspect of the support I hoped to gain from my MBA was the opportunity to interact with professionals from diverse industries, backgrounds, and regions. The diverse cohort would also help me develop my cultural fluency and cross-cultural communication abilities. I also anticipated benefits extending beyond immediate professional growth. For instance, I hoped the MBA network would provide invaluable guidance on career progression pathways.
3. Strengthening my personal brand
The reputation of Saïd Business School and the broader Oxford brand holds significant weight in the business world. An Oxford MBA is earned, and I anticipated that earning it would not only enhance my credibility but also increase my visibility within my company and my industry. Beyond the external recognition, leadership positions demand a deep understanding of international markets and strategic thinking—both of which the MBA helped me cultivate.
How have the resources and opportunities of an Oxford Saïd education and career development assisted you?
I benefited immensely from the Career Development Centre’s focus on increasing self-awareness and developing networks. Expert coaches and Industry Advisors offered valuable insights to help me identify my strengths, recognise skill gaps, and develop a clear career plan. Their support was crucial in shaping my post-MBA journey, especially as I prepared to return to my employer. It truly was a privilege to have worked with them.
Another important contribution of the Careers team was to facilitate connections with alumni in my industry. I gained so much: invaluable mentorship, diverse perspectives, and a deeper understanding of my field.
These connections don’t stop after your MBA. For example, I also benefited from building relationships with my academic and college supervisors, one of whom I now consider a trusted mentor. I highly recommend that you too forge strong connections with your supervisors and make the most of their guidance throughout your time at Oxford and beyond.
Beyond the direct mentorship from faculty, you’ll find a wealth of additional opportunities at Oxford, for example, the Entrepreneurship Centre and the oNetwork for those interested in entrepreneurship.
The key is to be proactive. Whether it’s scheduling regular check-ins with a mentor or reaching out to alumni for insights, the effort you invest determines what you gain. It’s worth it though, as it will have a profound and lasting impact on your personal and professional development.
Now you have completed the programme and returned to your company, what recommendation would you give to incoming students embarking on their MBA journey?
I’d like to share three key insights, gained through personal experience and extensive discussions with my fellow MBAs.
1. Balance soft and hard skills
The Oxford MBA will provide you ample opportunities to develop both hard and soft skills. However, I found that it’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing too much on technical skills while overlooking the importance of interpersonal ones. That’s why I encourage you to make a conscious effort to develop soft skills like effective communication, negotiation, and teamwork. These are critical for leadership and your long-term success.
2. Step out of your comfort zone
I arrived at Oxford with a carefully mapped plan for my year. But the real Oxford experience? I ended up making many choices that were not on my agenda.
For instance, I had a commitment to return to my company, so I wasn’t expecting to be interested in startups. But what really drew me in was an opportunity where I recognised that startup skills would be valuable in a corporate environment.
Beyond academics, what I wish someone had told me before my MBA is to make more time for personal interests. I initially thought such ‘distractions’ would detract from my MBA focus, but I've since realised these pursuits often lead to the most meaningful connections and unexpected opportunities.
3. Network strategically
The Oxford MBA team has thoughtfully designed the programme to give you time for building meaningful connections. Take full advantage of this by connecting not only with your fellow MBAs but also beyond the classroom with the wider Oxford ecosystem. Be open and cultivate connections, because you never know which conversation might open doors to your next big opportunity.
Make a conscious effort to connect with peers, professors, and industry professionals. Rather than attempting simply to meet everyone, focus on building meaningful relationships.
These relationships will broaden your perspective and provide ongoing support, opportunities, and insights that will shape your career in the long run.
Find out more about the Oxford MBA
