The recent MBA educational trip to London became an opportunity to explore how business and institutions function in modern-day Great Britain. Each day, participants experienced a new context: diplomacy and parliament, manufacturing, engineering, world-class universities, design, energy, finance, creative and technology companies. This offered insight into specific solutions and operating models across various systems—governmental, academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial.
Day 1
The first day began with a meeting with Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. The conversation focused on diplomacy and partnership during wartime. At St. Mary’s Ukrainian School, participants saw how the diaspora has preserved its identity since the 1950s and now supports families after 2022. The day concluded at the London Stock Exchange, where they discussed its transformation into a global financial technology ecosystem.
Day 2
At the MINI production facility, participants explored how a heritage brand is evolving into an innovation-driven mobility leader. At the University of Oxford and Saïd Business School, discussions focused on the collegiate system, digital-first approaches, and social innovation.
Day 3
At YDF Interiors, the topic was innovation in design and working with space. Octopus Energy provided insight into technologies reshaping the energy sector. The day ended at Bennie Restaurant & Bar with a conversation about the challenges of the restaurant business in London.
Day 4
During a meeting with Alex Sobel, Member of Parliament from the Labour Party, the discussion centered on military support and the activities of Friends of Ukraine. At Digital Twin Skills Academy, the focus was on digital twin technology, while at TheCityUK, topics included FinTech and regulatory environments.
Day 5
At Chiswick Business Park, participants observed how a modern campus integrates infrastructure, natural "islands," and digital services. At Venture X, the topic was scaling co-working spaces. At Sipsmith London, the conversation covered how craft becomes a premium brand. Finally, at 1991 Ventures there was a discussion on early-stage investments, co-investment models, and opportunities for Ukrainian tech companies.