Lancaster University Management School MBA students gained new connections from across five other universities in a showcase of the North of England’s emerging business talent.

Students from Lancaster, Durham, Sheffield, Newcastle and Liverpool universities travelled to the University of Leeds for the second MBA North Conference.

They established meaningful new relationships with each other, networked with members of the northern business community, and opened possibilities for the future in an event that highlighted the region as a hub for talent and opportunity.

MBA North was co-organised by Lancaster and Newcastle to connect future business leaders. It promoted senior career pathways in the north, allowing attendees to discover and better understand the breadth of career opportunities available across the area.

Attendees engaged in impactful sessions, including two alumni panels ‘Uncharted Careers: MBAs Forging New Directions and ‘Exploring the classics: MBAs in Consulting, Technology and Finance’, industry-focused discussions and a panel with leading employers followed by student-employer networking, and a hands-on workshop on job search strategies, ending the day with a networking session across all six business schools.

“It was a wonderful event with insightful sessions, fast-paced, real-world value and practical takeaways,” said Noeleen Hammond Jones, Deputy Head of Lancaster University Management School Careers, and co-founder of the event. “It brought together MBA students and employers in a way that is practical and accessible, designed to spark conversations, share perspectives, and build early-stage relationships between talent and industry. For students, it is a chance to learn directly from business leaders and understand what organisations are really looking for.

“Everyone who attended was highly supportive of each other, and it was a pleasure to see all the universities coming together and growing our collaboration.”