What did you do before this DBA?

Academically, I gained a Master in Health Sciences and an Executive Master in Change Management. Professionally, I was and still am partner at Movinex BV, an international consultancy firm.

Why did you decide to do a Doctor of Business Administration?

I got in contact with the DBA programme of the School of Management of the University of Bradford during a Christmas party of a psychiatric hospital where I was a member of the Supervisory Board. One of the managers (Hans Uiterwijk) was following this programme and we got into a discussion about having a doctorate.

By that time I made a decision that I wanted to stay a management consultant with a specialisation in ageing. I am partner of Movinex BV, an international consultancy firm. By having a doctorate I could profile myself better in a specific area. I had no MBA but having a Master in Health Sciences and an Executive Master in change management combined with a 16 year experience as a management consultant I was accepted at the programme.

Why did you choose this school?

I went to one of the information meetings in Tilburg done by dr. Eva Niemann. I was impressed by the structured programme, the personal support during the programme and the international blend.

What did you experience during the program?

In August 2008 I went for the first time to Bradford: I became part of a truly international group with students from all over the globe including Palestine, Mexico and Nigeria.

The first 18 months we worked up together following modules and writing module papers.

I enjoyed the structured programme and felt also the pressure. But that helps to overcome barriers in time because you have to organise it next to your job and I developed a discipline in this. That discipline and a perfect match with my supervisor took me in a little more than 4 years through the programme.

I gained very much from the programme: for instance, methodological skills, how to read and evaluate research data, how to underpin my consultancy reports with empirical evidence.

How did you benefit from the program?

I was appointed in February 2013 as Academic Director at the TiasNimbas Business School at the University of Tilburg which proves the equality of the DBA next to a PhD.

Why would you recommend this program to others?

I would surely recommend the DBA programme because of its programme, the quality of the faculty, its rigor that forces you to organise it effectively, the personal approach of the programme director and the use of the power of peer review during your research phase. I would make the same choice if I had to choose a DBA programme!