MBA students pitch bold innovations to M&S in live challenge
Two teams of MBA students from Leeds University Business School stepped into the spotlight this June as they pitched cutting-edge ideas to retail giant M&S.
The initiative was part of a live competition for the module ‘Creative and Innovative Thinking and Practice’. The event marked a highlight in the School’s ongoing collaboration with leading industry partners and showcased the students’ strategic thinking, innovation skills, and business acumen.
Hosted under the format of a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style competition, the challenge invited students to respond to a live brief from M&S. Students acted as the Innovation Team for “Neals and Taylor”, a fictional long-standing UK retailer on the cusp of its centenary. The task: to develop a prototype solution that addresses competitive pressures, leverages emerging technologies, and celebrates the brand’s heritage – culminating in a high-impact pitch to industry judges.
Industry collaboration driving innovation
Katharine Carter, Head of Archive at M&S, praised the event as a valuable opportunity for the business and students alike:
“Being able to set a live challenge brief, alongside those from other businesses, was a great opportunity for M&S to benefit from the creativity, knowledge and experience of two groups of MBA students. Getting a fresh take on how to maximise an upcoming milestone with customers and investors was invaluable, and we were really impressed with the quality of the teams’ ideas and presentations.
“This is a prime example of how the wider M&S and University of Leeds partnership supports employability and enables the business to tap into outstanding talent. It was a great networking opportunity with representatives from other businesses too.”
The module is designed to equip students with the critical tools and mindsets required to lead innovation initiatives in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. By combining practical frameworks with real-world challenges, the course pushes students to build not only creative solutions but also professional confidence.
Dr Sanaz Sigaroudi, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Innovation and module leader, highlighted the significance of industry collaboration:
“Top management consulting firms report that only 3% of organisations are truly innovation-ready, and just 10% are satisfied with their innovation efforts. That’s why they need our MBAs.
We love what we do in this module because of our students; nothing beats witnessing their growth into innovative teams who fall in love with the problems, show empathy and resilience, welcome iterations and think outside the box—all under 10 days! But we can do what we do because of our incredible industry partners. Without them, it simply wouldn’t be possible. Partners like M&S, who trust us with real-world challenges and generously offer their time and insight, have made this dream a reality.
The student experience was equally transformative. For many, the module represented a pivotal moment in their MBA journey - bringing together design thinking, collaboration, and applied strategy.
A student perspective
MBA student Abhishek Dixit commented:
“This was more than just a module; it was a real-world learning lab that blended theory with practice at every step. From exploring design thinking frameworks to testing ideas in a live challenge and pitch, I learned to collaborate deeply, think on my feet, and turn diverse perspectives into solutions with real, tangible impact.”
As innovation continues to shape the future of business, this initiative exemplifies how Leeds MBA students are preparing to lead - by tackling ambiguity, embracing creativity, and delivering value where it matters most”.
Find out more about the Leeds MBA.
Find out more about how the Business School is working with businesses.
