07 Jul 2025

CEO Stories: Professor David Mba on his vision for Birmingham City University

BCU David Mba.jpg

Birmingham City University's vice-chancellor Professor David Mba is the latest guest on season four of CEO Stories, the podcast from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The episode is available to listen to on all major listening apps such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In this episode, Professor Mba sets out his vision for BCU.

Professor Mba discusses the transformational journey and impact of BCU - emphasising social mobility, employability, and the importance of practice-based pedagogy.

The conversation explores his unexpected path to academia, his upbringing in Nigeria, and his vision for BCU's future as outlined in their Strategy 2030.

Professor Mba also touches on the role of universities in community engagement, the significance of knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs), and BCU's innovative STEAMhouse initiative.

Henrietta Brealey is currently on maternity leave. This interview was pre-recorded. All information was correct at the time of recording.


CEO Stories is a monthly podcast hosted by Henrietta Brealey, who in 2021 became the youngest chief executive in the Chamber’s history.

A new episode is published on the first Monday of every month.

Throughout the series, Henrietta is joined by a variety of well-known and emerging business leaders, who will reveal what makes them tick, who inspired them and the advice they would give to aspiring CEOs.

Previous guests include former NEC Group chief executive Paul Thandi, ex-Birmingham City Council CEO Deborah Cadman, TV chef Liam Dillon and Chamber presidents past and present, Deb Leary and Nasir Awan.

You can listen and subscribe to CEO Stories now on the following listening platforms:

If you like what you've heard and are interested in learning about opportunities to partner with the CEO Stories podcast, contact head of media and communications Dan Harrison at d.harrison@birmingham-chamber.com

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