Manchester MBA Voices is a podcast about the people shaping business today – and the journeys that bring them to one of the world’s most innovative cities. 

Hosted by Full-time MBA candidate Riya Malik from Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester, each episode features candid conversations with MBA students, alumni, founders and leaders who have come here to accelerate their careers, build businesses, and shape what comes next. 

Expect riveting career stories, leadership insights, unexpected moments – and a fun Manchester-themed quiz that put guests to the test.
All Episodes

Latest Episodes

All Episodes →
Max Dowling is building a startup while leading an MBA cohort
#2

Max Dowling is building a startup while leading an MBA cohort

In this episode, Riya Malik sit down with Max Dowling, Manchester MBA candidate, Student Council President, and founder of a public‑safety startup Vigil. Max reflects on the real‑world experience that inspired his current venture – a moment that made him confront the scale of public safety challenges and ultimately pushed him to build a technology‑led solution with social impact at its core. He also opens up about the realities of founding a startup in stealth mode while juggling MBA projects, leadership responsibilities, and personal wellbeing.⏱️ ChaptersFollow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembsTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembsLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembsFind out more about our MBA programmes: https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/mba/
Community over capital, saying yes strategically & saving the planet (with Gloria Cherono)
#1

Community over capital, saying yes strategically & saving the planet (with Gloria Cherono)

Welcome to the podcast! To mark the beginning of Women's History Month, host Riya Malik sits down with entrepreneur and MBA candidate Gloria Cherono from Alliance Manchester Business School to explore what it really takes to build a purpose-driven business as a woman. From her upbringing in a Kenyan farming community to founding sustainability venture Envirofly, Gloria shares how resilience, ambition and community shaped her leadership journey.Together, they chat about the realities of female entrepreneurship, how the MBA influenced their leadership styles, and how partnerships can be just as valuable as funding when starting a business. ⏱️ ChaptersFollow us on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembsTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembsLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembsFind out more about our MBA programmes: https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/mba/