MBA graduate Andy Rhodes tells us about his experience

Master of Business Administration, 2004

UCLan Master of Business Administration graduate, Andy Rhodes, has enhanced his professional development and leadership abilities to become Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary.

Andy was encouraged by his employer to take up further study in order to develop himself in a professional capacity. He found that the Master of Business Administration (MBA) course really appealed to him. Whilst studying at UCLan, Andy was employed in the Police Force and prior to this, he studied to be a chartered accountant and ran a family business.

Following completion of his MBA in 2004, Andy remained in policing and moved into more strategic jobs. He progressed through the ranks, carrying out roles in a wide range of areas including public order and firearms command.

Andy cites his current position of Chief Constable at Lancashire Constabulary as his greatest achievement to date and he is immensely proud of working in his home force and home county. Andy said: “It is a privilege and a responsibility that motivates me every day.”

Chief Constable Andy Rhodes
Chief Constable Andy Rhodes

As part of his top-ranking role, Andy works to deliver the Police and Crime Plan, applying strategic risk assessments and a host of other scanning methods to deliver policing in Lancashire, as well as supporting national capabilities. He leads a strong workforce of 5,500 Police Officers and staff.

In 2016, Andy was awarded the Queens Police Medal in recognition of his service to policing. Something which he’s very proud of. He is also the national lead for wellbeing in the Police Force as part of the Oscar Kilo initiative, which was originally set up to support the Police and was later extended to other emergency services.

Recently, Andy has returned to UCLan as a guest speaker to talk about his MBA and career journey, in a masterclass hosted by Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise.

Reflecting on his time at UCLan, Andy said: It helped me to look up from the daily reactive pressures, allowing me to reflect, discuss and challenge my introspective view of my organisation. Over time it has allowed me to look for new ideas and engage with different perspectives that have kept me fresh and contemporary.”

When asked for advice to give to people wanting to take up study, Andy said: “Timing is everything, so think hard about committing the time in relation to other priorities such as your family and day job. Study an area that gives you energy, not what you are comfortable with.”

He continued: “I initially thought of the MBA as professional development, i.e. a qualification to get me further. I was wrong. The experience and the journey is the added value due to the personal development it ignited in me. This has stayed with me and become a lifelong commitment, enabling me to develop as a leader and as a person.”