King Wellington

My Graduate Story

My name is King Wellington and I graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) majoring in International Business from University of Birmingham.

After my studies at the University of Birmingham, I returned to a company I founded, DONE BY US, an integrated consultancy and investment firm, and retooled it based on knowledge gained through my studies to provide tailored solutions for businesses and organizations seeking to thrive in Ghana's dynamic market. Our work has helped numerous clients, including SMEs, international corporations, and government agencies, achieve their goals and contribute to the nation's economic growth. In addition to my work at DONE BY US and Africa Street MBA, I'm also a Manager with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ghana, the regulator of Ghana's capital market.

A Day in my Life

My day begins the night before where I go over my next day's calendar and to-do list. I usually have an early morning meeting at 7:30am with my team at DONE BY US and Africa Street MBA to go over activities and deliverables. I then proceed to the Securities and Exchange Commission and perform my duties there (this includes meetings, etc.).

My heavy meetings are mostly before 12 noon after which I head to lunch meetings with key partners or clients or other stakeholders. I come back to the office around 2pm to complete other work schedules and leave the Securities and Exchange Commission at around 5pm to my private office for additional meetings, exercise and others (e.g. attending events, etc). I then spend time with my wife and kids, do some further reading and prepare for the next day.

My Journey to DONE BY US

Right after my exams I had to come back to Ghana because of work and business. I did some short-term consulting in the UK with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) before I came down to Ghana, indeed even while in Ghana, I was still delivering some tasks. But mostly, right after school, I came back to Ghana to continue work and building my business.

But my vision extended beyond traditional consulting. I channelled my experiences and knowledge into creating the Africa Street MBA, a unique program designed to provide practical business training and mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life. The impact of the Africa Street MBA has been profound. We have directly trained, mentored and coached over 7,000 young people across Ghana (10,000+ indirectly), equipping them with the skills and confidence to launch and grow their own businesses. We have empowered women, persons with disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to become drivers of economic growth and social change.

My Birmingham Experience

Studying at a UK university, specifically the University of Birmingham, was instrumental in my journey to success. It provided a unique blend of academic rigor, cultural immersion, and a focus on social impact that I believe wouldn't have been replicated elsewhere.

Firstly, the academic environment at Birmingham challenged me to think critically and creatively. The emphasis on independent research, robust debate, and evidence-based arguments honed my analytical skills and broadened my perspectives. This approach, combined with exposure to cutting-edge research and diverse schools of thought, instilled in me a lifelong love of learning and a commitment to intellectual rigor. This foundation has been invaluable in my work as an entrepreneur and consultant, allowing me to approach challenges with a strategic mindset and develop innovative solutions.

Secondly, the multicultural environment at Birmingham was incredibly enriching. Interacting with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds broadened my understanding of global issues and different approaches to business and development. This experience fostered in me a deep appreciation for cultural sensitivity and the importance of collaboration in a globalized world. This has been particularly crucial in my work with the Africa Street MBA, where we cater to individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities across Ghana.

Finally, the UK's emphasis on social responsibility and ethical leadership resonated deeply with me. The University of Birmingham's commitment to community engagement and sustainable development instilled in me a sense of purpose beyond profit. It encouraged me to view business as a tool for positive change and to prioritize social impact alongside economic growth. This ethos has been a guiding principle in my work, shaping my approach to entrepreneurship and driving my passion for empowering young people from underserved communities.

While other institutions may also offer excellent academic programs similar to the University of Birmingham, the unique combination of rigorous academics, multicultural exposure, and a focus on social responsibility that I experienced at a UK university played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory and enabling me to achieve my goals. It provided me with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become an effective leader and a catalyst for positive change in Ghana.

Birmingham's Impact

In fact, I must commend Melanie Billingham and her team (MBA Career Team) as well as Emma Coldicott (MBA Alumni Relationship Manager) for their continued support, commitment and always availing themselves to help me while I was a student and even as an alumni. Anytime I call on them and other support teams they always deliver. I must praise all the support services for their high sense of urgency and proactive approach to their work. Melanie Billingham is one of my professional referees - this shows how helpful the MBA Career Team is to me.

My Achievements

Personally, I led a lot of my assignment groups and also was given the opportunity to lead in most of the group presentations. This leadership role helped to deepen my ability to think on my feet while under pressure. This skill has been useful to me after school.

Professionally, through my course I've built good professional relationships and this has been useful to my career and business. I was fortunate to have class colleagues who were at leadership positions at their various institutions and my relationship with them has been beneficial to my career and business.

Academically, attaining an MBA from the University of Birmingham has boosted my prospects to pursue my PhD and hopefully do that at the University of Birmingham when the opportunity arises. I received the Africa MBA Scholarship by the University of Birmingham Business School. Without the funding I wouldn't have been able to study for my MBA at the University of Birmingham. I am therefore grateful to the University of Birmingham and the funder/donor for the opportunity.

Advice for Students

I urge students graduating today to have a sense of urgency, approach life with a proactive and can-do attitude and always take action. This is because in this world, when they are committed and have a can-do attitude coupled with consistency, they can achieve anything in life.

I also wish to emphasize that they could build other forms of what I call 'capital' such as relationships/contacts, knowledge/skills, spiritualism, value, among others. These will aid them to go far in career and life.