MLA College is an innovative Higher Education provider focused on empowering mid-career professionals. Whether you’re aiming to step into senior leadership or make a bold shift into a new sector, MLA offers flexible, professionally-aligned programmes designed to support real-life career transitions. We understand the value of lifelong learning because it’s part of who we are – something of which I have my own personal experiences.

My own career story is a testament to the power of Continuous Professional Development (CPD). From joining the Royal Navy as a teenager to transitioning into senior leadership roles in higher education, CPD has been the constant thread that’s allowed me to adapt, grow, and thrive in completely different worlds.

Leaving School, Finding Direction

I left school at 17, halfway through my A-levels, with just a handful of GCSEs. But it wasn’t because I lacked direction – it was quite the opposite. Joining the Royal Navy was something I’d set my sights on early. With a family tradition of service and plenty of exposure to naval life, it felt like a natural choice. At the time, the appeal was the adventure: seeing the world, embracing challenges, and experiencing everything that came with military life. I certainly wasn’t thinking about CPD back then. But with hindsight, I can see that from the day I first arrived at HMS Raleigh for basic training, I was already picking up skills and qualifications that would one day help me transition into a completely different career.

The First Chapter: Structure, Discipline, and a Love of Learning

I joined the Navy in 1993 and spent nearly 20 years working my way up the ranks before commissioning as a Royal Navy Officer. I ended my military career as a Logistics Officer, a role full of complexity, variety, and leadership responsibility. Whether I was managing HR and supply chains, overseeing multimillion-pound regeneration projects, or acting as a legal advisor to the Commanding Officer, I learned quickly that adaptability and knowledge were just as critical as discipline and grit.

The military takes professional development seriously. Some of it formal – courses, qualifications, leadership programmes – but a lot is down to you. I made the most of every opportunity: taking on extra duties, earning specialist certifications, and carving out study time, even on deployments.

Odd as it might sound, CPD provided a bit of refuge during challenging times. Whether I was in a makeshift base in Bosnia or off the coast of Iraq, studying was a way to focus my mind and keep moving forward. It helped me feel in control, even in high-pressure situations, and it built the foundation for what came next.

A Whole New World: Moving Into Higher Education

Leaving the military in 2012 was a huge shift. I joined the University of Southampton to manage the South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership – a multi-university initiative supporting postgrad researchers with Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding. The discipline of the military, to the freedom of thought expected in academia, is quite the jump.

It was a steep learning curve. I had to get my head around academic governance, research policy, funding strategy, and the unique culture of UK higher education. But the leadership and project management skills I’d developed through a career in the Royal Navy translated well. The part that tripped me up at first? No one tells you what to wear anymore! It’s not something that’s covered in your career transition workshops.

But once again, CPD became my toolkit. I attended workshops, pored over guidance documents, asked questions, shadowed colleagues – whatever helped me learn the ropes. Over the next ten years, I helped lead a major national research partnership, managed over £20 million in funding, and built a team recognised amongst a national network known for its quality and innovation.

Leading Change at MLA College

In 2022, I joined MLA College as Vice-Rector (Professional Services). The role pulls together everything I’ve learned over the years – strategic leadership, student support, academic quality, and more. And I’ve led some major strategic projects, all aimed at making sure our students have the best possible experience. The ultimate aim – to help steer MLA College to University status. But the higher education landscape is always shifting. Whether it’s adapting to changing Higher Education regulations, improving the student journey, or embedding safeguarding duties, there’s always something new to learn. CPD helps me stay ahead of the curve, and lead with confidence.

What’s Next?

I’m now preparing to take on a new challenge of completing an MBA. This isn’t about chasing qualifications, it’s about pushing myself, broadening my strategic and commercial thinking, and continuing to evolve as a leader in a changing sector.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, CPD has been there at every step of my journey – from that 17-year-old boy walking through the gates at HMS Raleigh, to the executive team at MLA College. But it’s never been a tick-box exercise. It’s been about staying interested. Staying sharp. Being ready to say “yes” to new challenges – even when they’re uncomfortable, because that is when you grow the most.

You don’t need a perfect CV to build a fulfilling career. What you do need is a mindset that says, “I’ll keep learning.” That’s what’s helped me grow into every role I’ve taken on – and it’s the same mindset we champion here at MLA College.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

At MLA College, we specialise in helping professionals like you build on your experience and take the next step – whether that’s moving up into senior leadership or shifting into a new sector altogether. Our flexible, work-based degrees are designed with your life in mind, combining academic rigour with real-world relevance.

Explore our programmes and see how Continual Professional Development can transform your future.

Glenn Harris
Vice Rector (Professional Services)