Student Spotlight: Ahmad Sultan – Strengthening leadership through the MSM Executive MBA offered in partnership with KMCM in Kuwait

Now that he is nearing the end of the programme and working on his thesis, it is a great moment to reflect on his journey so far.

Could you tell us a bit about your professional background?
I have over 18 years of professional experience, currently working as Head of Security at HEISCO in Kuwait. My role goes beyond traditional security, I am responsible for ensuring safe operations across multiple sites, managing risks, overseeing access control, incident management, and leading a team to maintain business continuity.

Over the years, my role has evolved from operational to more strategic, where I am involved in planning, decision-making, public relations, and problem solving, while aligning security with overall business objectives.

You are working as Head of Security at HEISCO. Can you tell us more about the company?
HEISCO is one of the biggest companies in the region, not only in Kuwait but also in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and recently India. The company serves major industries such as oil and gas, construction, as well as shipbuilding and repair.

I am based at the head office, and within my unit we are also applying the ISPS Code at the harbour, which adds another layer of responsibility in terms of international security standards and operational compliance.

In this environment, security plays a critical role not only in protection but also in enabling smooth and safe operations across the business.

Why did you decide to follow this particular career path?
I was drawn to this field because it combines responsibility, decision-making under pressure, and direct impact on people and operations.

Over time, what kept me motivated was not just the operational side, but the leadership aspect — building teams, improving systems, and creating a secure but efficient environment, and also the public relationship. That’s what pushed me to grow into a leadership role rather than staying purely technical.

What kept me motivated was not just the operational side, but the leadership aspect.

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
The MBA was a natural next step for me. With my experience, I reached a point where I wanted to move from operational expertise to a more strategic and leadership-focused role.

It is directly related to my current position, especially in areas like decision-making, leadership, and organisational behaviour. At the same time, it also supports my future ambition to take on broader executive responsibilities.

In the future, I am also planning to pursue a PhD, hopefully at MSM as well, to continue building on this academic and professional journey.

What made you choose the MSM Executive MBA offered in partnership with KMCM?
First, I would like to thank Mrs. Yassmin Al Mussalm (CEO of KMCM) for bringing the MSM programme to Kuwait.

I chose this programme because it offers a strong balance between academic knowledge and practical application. The international perspective from MSM, combined with local relevance through KMCM, made it very valuable.

Also, the structure of the programme suits working professionals, allowing me to immediately apply what I learn in my job.

The international perspective from MSM combined with local relevance through KMCM, made the MBA very valuable.

You have now nearly finished the programme. How have you experienced the MSM Executive MBA so far?
It has been a very enriching experience overall.

The courses were practical and closely linked to real business challenges, not just theory, which made it easier to apply directly in my work.

The teaching faculty were highly experienced, combining strong academic knowledge with real industry insights. They were also very supportive and engaging throughout the programme.

I would like to give special thanks to Dr. Khaled Wahba, Dr. David Dingli, and Mrs. Miriam Frijns for their continuous support and kindness.

In addition, learning from fellow students was a key part of the experience. My colleagues from Intake 17B brought diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which made discussions very valuable and enriching.

My colleagues from Intake 17B brought diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which made discussions very valuable and enriching.

Are there any courses or topics that have been particularly impactful for you?
One of the most impactful areas for me was decision-making and problem-solving.

In particular, the decision-making tools we studied helped me approach challenges in a more structured and analytical way. Instead of relying only on experience, I now use clear methods to analyse problems, involve stakeholders, and make more effective decisions.

In addition, courses related to leadership, cultural diversity, and leading high-performing teams had a strong impact on me. They enhanced my understanding of how to manage teams more effectively, especially in diverse environments, and how to drive performance while maintaining engagement.

Overall, these areas directly improved how I lead my team and handle complex situations in my role.

The decision-making tools we studied helped me approach challenges in a more structured and analytical way.

During the programme, you also joined the MSM Summer School in Maastricht to follow your expertise track courses. How was that experience?
The two weeks in Maastricht were a unique experience, which allowed me to fully focus on learning in an international environment.

I followed the Innovative Leadership expertise track. What stood out the most was the exposure to cultural diversity, different leadership styles, and new perspectives.

The track covered important areas such as leadership, ethics, and decision-making tools, which were highly relevant to my role.

Overall, it was both academically and personally enriching.

Balancing an Executive MBA with a demanding role can be challenging. Can you tell us more about your study routine?
It is definitely challenging, especially balancing work, studies, and family responsibilities. But with discipline and planning, it becomes manageable.

I dedicate specific time during the week for studying and use weekends more intensively. I also try to align my assignments with real work situations to stay efficient.

Support played a big role, both from my workplace and especially from my family. My wife has been very patient and supportive from the first step, which made a big difference in maintaining this balance.

With discipline and planning, it becomes manageable and support plays a big role.

Do you use lessons learned from the Executive MBA in your daily work?
Yes, very much.

I have applied many concepts in my daily work, especially in decision-making, communication, and leadership. One key impact is how I approach building a motivated team, focusing more on engagement, clarity, and accountability.

This has helped me improve team performance and create a more positive and productive work environment.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future?
From a career perspective, I aim to move into more strategic leadership roles, where I can contribute to organisational direction and not only operations.

On a personal level, I am planning to pursue a PhD, hopefully at MSM.

I am also a certified trainer from ISTD UK, and I am interested in continuing to develop in areas like training, leadership development, and knowledge sharing.

What advice would you give to future students?
My advice would be: if you want to succeed, that is good, but since you are here, you should aim to excel.

To do that, you need to go beyond the minimum. Read more, stay committed, and follow the guidelines and instructions provided by the faculty carefully.

The programme is demanding, but the more you invest in it, the more value you will gain in return.

The more you invest in the programme, the more value you will gain in return.

Thank you, Ahmad, for sharing your inspiring journey with us and for giving us a closer look into your experience in the MSM Executive MBA offered in partnership with KMCM. Combining a demanding leadership role with an Executive MBA is an impressive achievement. We wish you continued success in completing your thesis, in your future career ambitions, and in your plans to pursue a PhD.

Interested in the MSM-KMCM Executive MBA?
The MSM Executive MBA offered in partnership with KMCM is designed for ambitious professionals who want to strengthen their leadership and management capabilities while continuing to work. The programme combines the international perspective of MSM with local relevance in Kuwait, creating a learning experience that is both practical and globally oriented. Through interactive classes, real-life business cases and close connections with fellow professionals, participants gain the tools to make a greater impact in their organisations and careers.

For more information, please check the KMCM website.