MBA Case Study: Robert Marr,
Managing Director, t2 Group

Robert Marr is managing director of the t2 Group – one of Wales’ largest independent training and business solution providers, offering bespoke management consultancy, short courses and skills training. 

He studied for his MBA at the University of Wales, Newport from 2000 until 2004, and focused his dissertation on fast-growth companies.   

Robert says: “Studying for an MBA is one of the best things I have ever done.  I took over the reins of t2 in 2000 when I was 26.  The course not only helped prime me for my role as managing director of t2 but has also had a positive impact on my business.

“I decided to study for the MBA as I thought it would be good for business.  As a relatively young managing director, I realised I needed to expand my knowledge and skills base in order to make t2 grow. 

“I already had a Certificate in Management Studies and a Certificate in Personnel Practice but I wanted to go the extra mile and apply myself to the MBA.  And after all, as head of a training company, it was entirely fitting to put my money where my mouth is and undertake an extensive development programme.  So in 1999 I decided to go for it!

“I remained managing director of t2 while studying, which was incredibly challenging but also extremely useful.  Studying every evening and every weekend meant my social life went out of the window, but I was lucky to be able to continually apply my knowledge and see some real results straight away within my own company – a real motivator for me.

“Since launching the business in 1996 I have been firmly focussed on growing the business and the MBA fuelled my ability to do this.  I studied fast-growth companies for my dissertation that involved in-depth analyses of existing SME growth models.  This helped me to shape my own business model which I have used as my ‘bible’ for facilitating the fast growth of t2.  And it worked!

“We have grown the business from a team of just three to a staff-base of 70, a number which increased by 20 in the last year alone.  Our annual turn-over has increased significantly since the start of my MBA and we have earned ourselves a reputation as one of the key players in the South Wales training and development market. 

“Despite such burgeoning growth of the company, we did not let our high standards of service slip.  Our continued high quality has earned us several awards including the Basic Skills Quality Kitemark, a bronze certificate through the Welsh Quality Centre and also an extremely high result in our ESTYN inspection.  We continue to offer this first rate service to our clients today.

“The academic element of the course could have been quite dry and theoretical but because I could apply it to my company, everything I learnt became immediately relevant.   Being in a management position really complemented my studies and allowed me to make the most of what the course had to offer.