Hi, I'm Gagan Gohlar, Global Women's Leadership Programme scholar and Modular Executive MBA student at Bayes Business School. I graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a Master’s in Pharmacy before practising as a clinical Pharmacist in the NHS. I later went on to undertake postgraduate study at University College London to advance my research, leadership and management skills and gained a postgraduate Masters in Advanced Pharmacy Practice.

My professional career journey to date has been heavily focused on the healthcare sector. I started my career in clinical practice, working across several London NHS trusts over 8 years, working my way towards senior management within pharmacy. As my roles and responsibilities shifted so did my focus towards change management, setting strategic vision, leading teams, and building collaborative partnerships across different departments to improve efficiencies.

Three and a half years ago I transitioned industry, taking on a role in Medical Affairs in the Pharmaceutical Industry. I currently set the UK & Ireland strategic plans for the area I head up, manage cross-functional projects and scientific exchange, and liaise closely with key internal and external stakeholders, building core strategic partnerships.

Whilst transitioning between industries, I realised I enjoyed leadership and wanted to further develop these skills and build on business acumen, especially the financial, strategic, and business innovation elements. Undertaking an MBA was the natural next step to move forward in my career journey, and I decided to choose Bayes Business School due to its location in the finance and tech hub of London, as well as the range of MBA programmes available. As I travel often for work, the Modular Executive MBA offered me with a teaching schedule that aligned with my work schedule.

My Bayes experience

Bayes has an excellent academic reputation, and one of the key factors influencing my decision to study at Bayes was the emphasis the school places on inclusion and diversity. This is apparent in the breadth of experience, industries, and backgrounds of individuals across the MBA cohorts, generating a rich learning experience.

Another aspect that drew me to Bayes was the wide range of electives offered, including international electives and the International Consultancy Week which provides students with the opportunity to put learning into application for real world business scenarios.

I started my MBA as a blank canvas – open to developing and immersing myself in new skills, knowledge, industries, and networking to build life-long connections. My aspirations are to create a more equitable workplace and encourage more women, especially from diverse backgrounds to take on leadership roles. I am also interested in pursuing a more strategic leadership role and look forward to fully harnessing the learnings from the MBA programme.

I am thoroughly enjoying my studies and have found the content interesting, engaging, and relevant to real world scenarios. Each module so far has piqued my curiosity and has challenged my own perspectives. Some of the teaching from modules also draw on one another, further reinforcing learning, and the use of real-life current case studies create a synergy between theory and real-world application.

I have particularly enjoyed the professional development aspects of the programme and have been able to implement them immediately in my day-to-day activities, as well as during public speaking opportunities for work.

The careers team at Bayes are incredibly responsive and helpful in navigating my career challenges, goals, and aspirations. I have a designated careers advisor who I touch base with regularly for advice and support. Bayes also offers a wide range of resources including CV reviews, online courses, mock interviews, and careers events. I have really enjoyed the careers events and have found the networking invaluable in forming connections across different industries and MBA cohorts.

Bayes Global Women’s Leadership Programme

I had read about the Global Women’s Leadership Programme (GWLP) through the Bayes university website and was pleased to see that there was a dedicated programme focused on developing women’s leadership – something I am very passionate about.

I was invited to interview for the GWLP scholarship with programme director, Professor Janina Steinmetz. The interview process was incredibly competitive, but I was elated when I was selected as the GWLP Scholar and Executive Board Member. The latter provides an opportunity to be highly involved in shaping future events and activities.

I love networking with women who also have a passion to take others on the journey with them. I look forward to being involved with some key events later this year and working alongside a great group of individuals.

What makes a good leader?

I believe that a good leader has the ability to inspire and take others on the journey with them. They are self-aware and able to adapt to changing environments or dynamics within the workplace. A good leader has the ability to be empathetic, actively listen and invest in the development needs of their team. As a good leader I also believe that it is important to create a psychologically safe environment, where individuals can show up and perform as their authentic selves.

Find out more about the Bayes Global Women's Leadership Programme