The Sheffield MBA cohort recently returned from Germany where they enjoyed a week of learning, networking and company visits. Led by Professor Paul B. McGuinness, Chair in Accounting and Finance and MBA Module Leader, this was the second MBA international study trip, with the first running in April 2024.
Professor Paul B. McGuinness reflects on the field trip
“It has been a privilege to be the academic organiser of the Sheffield MBA field trip to Germany since its first run in April 2024. The partnership with Mannheim Business School (MBS) is hugely beneficial for the students given the . Working on the design, development and organisation of the trip over the last 24 months with MBS has been both challenging and highly rewarding.
“For the Sheffield MBA cohort, the field trip offers insights on the workings of the German and EU economies, as well as the dynamics of business and entrepreneurship within this setting. The students were able to interact with expert speakers within the MBA palace environment as well as in corporate settings. During the week, the students visited BASF, the FinTech hub MAFINEX, the German Bundesbank, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Deutsche Boerse). Throughout the week’s events, the students were exposed to an array of experts, including entrepreneurs from three start-up entities at MAFINEX. The students were also given the opportunity to network with the current full time MBA cohort at MBS over lunch on the first day.
“My experience with MBS dates back to 2016 when I first organised a field trip there with the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Regular visits since have enabled the development of a rich connection of networks which feed into the learning process of field trip visits. Every field trip is different given the evolution of business and management within the German and EU context. Even within the last two years, major changes have arisen, resulting in a somewhat different, yet still varied and insightful, set of arrangements for speakers and company visits for the April 2025 visit.
“I would like to express my thanks to the MBA cohort for their active engagement and participation in the study trip. Their active involvement in all events and proactive feedback with speakers made the visit all the more pleasurable and rewarding.”
Students share their overwhelmingly positive feedback on the trip
Reflecting on her learnings from Mannheim Business School, Sophie Parkin said, “Our MBA trip to Germany began with two insightful lectures delivered by Alexander Pfisterer and Ralph Burkle of Mannheim Business School. We explored current challenges facing Germany, from energy dependency and economic stagnation to shifting political sentiment. It was a thought-provoking start to our week that set the tone for understanding Germany beyond surface-level impressions and stereotypes.”
Prashant Patil valued the guest lectures at MAFINEX, saying, “I want to assert my admiration for CEO Markus Heidt and his ground-breaking start-up, Creatflow, which is revolutionizing supply chain management through the strategic application of artificial intelligence. He confidently presents a three-step approach to precision: understand, predict, and act. Through these innovative strategies, Creatflow is not only streamlining supply chains; it is fundamentally transforming the financial performance of businesses.”
Ankit Shivhare, discussing his experience of visiting BASF, shared, “The visit to BASF in Germany was a truly insightful experience. Witnessing the world’s largest integrated chemical site in action and learning about its remarkable 160 year journey was incredible. It was inspiring to see how history, innovation and sustainability come together at such a global scale.”
In addition to thanking Professor Paul B. McGuinness, who spearheaded the field trip initiative with Mannheim Business School, the School would like to thank the Dean, Professor Fraser McLeay, as well as Bekki Kendrick, MBA Programme Administrator, Dr Sabrina Thornton, MBA Programme Director, Marian Derbyshire, MBA Careers and Employability Consultant, and Michael Boultby, the Management School’s Finance and Operations Manager, for their support, without which the trip would not have been possible.
