WINNER | Joseph Agnew

JOSEPH AIMS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE WITH MBA

Chartered Chemical Engineer Joseph Agnew has already had an impact in tackling climate change – but believes undertaking an MBA at INSEAD will allow him to make an even bigger difference.

Joseph, 29, knew he wanted to be an engineer at an early age. And after five years working as a Process Engineer, he is one of our latest recipients of a Sainsbury Management Fellowship to take his learning to the next level.

Originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, Joseph completed a five-year integrated master’s at the University of Nottingham, which included a year in industry at Infineum in Oxford.

Before starting the course, he took a gap year in which he went travelling. It was on these travels that he discovered his love for other cultures – something that has spurred him on to take on new challenges and tackle big issues, wherever they may be.

He said: “Like most things, it starts with the subjects you liked at school – and mine were maths and chemistry. Coupling this with an interest in all things practical, I realised at a young age that I was heading towards engineering.

“When I was backpacking during my gap year, I experienced different cultures and met different types of people. I knew that I wanted an international career that enabled me to have a global impact.

“I’m obviously biased, but chemical engineering makes such a difference in the world we live in. Whether it’s the fuel you put in your car, your skincare regime, or the water you drink, chemical engineers are pivotal to facilitating their large-scale production.”

Since graduating, Joseph has spent his time working in the oil, gas and petrochemical sector, initially for Wood Plc in the UK and later as Senior Process Technologist at Nouryon in Sweden where he has played a prominent role in the growth, optimisation and decarbonisation of a chemical production facility.

He added: “A big topic for me – and the world – is climate change. It’s one of the world’s biggest challenges, and yet it is only in recent years that the level of action has really ramped up. Particularly, within the chemical industry, where decarbonisation is pivotal to reach Net Zero.

“So, I’m really glad that I’ve been able to play a leading role with my current employer working on their road map towards decarbonisation. It’s been incredibly enjoyable, marrying my technical expertise as a chemical engineer with my knowledge of the company’s largest production plant in Sweden.

“Additionally, it’s meant I’ve been able to learn about the latest renewable technologies, especially around carbon capture. As I move away from engineering, I still want to be involved in the climate fight. I feel very fortunate to have obtained knowledge in this area.”

Before gaining the prestigious SMF scholarship, Joseph landed a place at INSEAD to study for an MBA in order to advance his wider business skills and access a network of connected individuals globally. One of the reasons he picked INSEAD was due to the school’s integration of sustainability into all core business modules on its MBA programme, and the schools leading sustainability centre of excellence; The Hoffmann Global Institute for Business and Society. He hopes that the emphasis placed on this topic in the programme, will enable him to become a business leader in the UK, helping deliver the country’s path towards net zero.

Joseph said: “I started to think about an MBA around three years ago. As part of my future career planning, my manager at the time advised me to speak to senior leaders within the business. It soon became apparent to me that an MBA was a common denominator between business leaders in the chemical industry, and that the right blend of business acumen and technical expertise is highly valued. I hope that through the MBA experience I can acquire a unique toolbox of commercial skills to ally with my technical know-how.

“A large, diverse, and supportive network is also one of the most important things for me. The money spent on an MBA is significant so the return on investment is key. In my short career so far, I’ve seen how a network can open doors and bring opportunities. So, the fact that INSEAD is labelled as ‘The business school for the world’, and consistently has over 100 different nationalities in their 500 strong MBA cohorts, will help extend my network to all parts of the world.

“I know first-hand how learning from different cultures and perspectives can add value. Moving to Sweden was the best decision I ever made. I couldn’t count the different nationalities I worked with; it was so varied. You grow and develop as a person when you listen and learn about people and find out about different cultures. I wanted to continue this experience on my MBA programme, so INSEAD was the only place for me.

“Lastly, I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to tap into the SMF network as well. The real value is that there’s always someone who knows something about what you need to know. Even before being awarded the scholarship, I reached out to the SMF network for interview advice, and many were willing to help in my preparation, which was extremely helpful. In true INSEAD fashion, I will be sure to pay this favour forward in the future.”

Find out more about the Sainsbury Management Fellows’ Scholarship.