Many senior business leaders remember their A-Level results with mixed feelings. Some may have felt, at the time, that poor grades closed doors. But did they really? Research from Cambridge Advance Online shows that nearly half of UK managers, directors and senior officials do not hold a degree or higher qualification. At the same time, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is placing greater emphasis on championing technical education pathways such as apprenticeships for young people. Clearly, success has many routes, and not all of them pass through a university lecture hall.

For those already well into their careers, education doesn’t have to be a missed opportunity. Today there are more ways than ever to re-engage with learning. Gaining valuable knowledge later in life can sharpen your leadership, open new markets, or future-proof your business.

Education isn’t always linear

My own path was far from linear. I didn’t go to university, and my A Level results weren’t what I had hoped for. At the time, I was more focused on entering the workplace than on studying. University was not a financial option for my family - no one before me had gone, and it was simply out of reach.

Despite this, I found opportunities, worked hard, and kept learning. Over time I progressed in my career and became Sales Director of Aquatrust, a Yorkshire-based water hygiene and treatment specialist. Then, in my early fifties, I decided to return to education.

I enrolled on the Government-backed Help to Grow: Management Course at Leeds Beckett University Business School - my first formal study since leaving school. That decision reignited my appetite for learning and equipped me to lead Aquatrust into its next chapter. It was a turning point: I developed a clear plan for growth, doubled company revenue from £1.5m in 2020 to £3m in 2025, grew our team by 25% to 40 people, and transitioned from traditional services to a technology-led model using IoT and software. The experience also allowed me to progress in my career, moving into the role of Managing Director in March 2025.

Grades aren’t the be all and end all

Your exam results don’t define you. They’re just one moment in time. What matters more is your attitude, your work ethic, and your willingness to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to fail - failure builds resilience.

I’ve failed more than once in life, but I’ve learned to pick myself back up and carry on. It makes you stronger under pressure and better equipped to lead. In business, that ability to adapt is just as valuable as any qualification. Feel the fear - it means you care about your direction in life. You don’t want to be just run-of-the-mill. Lean into that feeling and use it to drive meaningful progress for yourself and your business.

Education doesn’t have an expiry date

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success. Careers evolve in unexpected ways, and education doesn’t have an expiry date. Some of the most important lessons happen outside the classroom - but structured learning at the right time can sharpen your edge.

For senior leaders considering their next step, the Help to Grow: Management Course is one practical way to strengthen both your business and yourself. Find out more and sign up at: https://smallbusinesscharter.org/help-to-grow-management-course/.