For India, the scholarship represents more than financial support. It marks a moment of transition — and a vote of confidence at a pivotal point. “The financial help means a lot,” she says, “but more than anything it gave me confidence. Coming from such an unconventional background, it made me feel that my experience was genuinely valued — that I belonged here.”
From sport to strategy
India grew up in Oxfordshire and, like many people, followed a passion long before she followed a profession. Horses were part of her life from an early age, and competitive riding quickly became all-consuming. After studying Geography at university, she chose not to follow a traditional graduate route, instead committing to professional sport and running her own equestrian business alongside competing at the highest level.
“I spent seven years as a professional rider, managing my own business, sponsorships and a whole team of people,” she explains. “At the time, I didn’t think of it as ‘business experience’ — it was just what I needed to do to make it work.”
Over time, however, she began to reflect on what came next. Elite sport is demanding and finite, and India knew she wanted a career that could draw on her leadership experience while opening up new opportunities beyond the sporting world. “I started to realise I wanted to take everything I’d learned — discipline, decision-making, resilience — and apply it in a different context. Cranfield felt like the right place to make that shift.”
Taking the leap
Making the decision to pursue an MBA was not without doubt. India’s route into business leadership looked different from many of her peers’, and she questioned whether it would translate. “The biggest challenge was convincing myself that my background was a good fit,” she says. “Most of my experience came from running my own company in sport. I worried that it wouldn’t ‘count’ in the same way.”
Those concerns quickly faded once she arrived. “What I’ve discovered is that organisations really value what elite sport gives you — the ability to work towards long-term goals, handle pressure and adapt quickly. Cranfield has been incredibly encouraging about the perspective I bring.”
Funding the year was another significant consideration, making the scholarship all the more important.
A scholarship that changes the equation
Learning she had been awarded the inaugural Professor Joe Nellis CBE MBA Scholarship was a defining moment. “I was absolutely thrilled. It felt like a signal that my experiences mattered, even though my path had been unconventional.”
Personally, the support arrived at exactly the right time. “Changing careers is daunting. The scholarship gave me belief — belief that I’m on the right path and that this leap is worth taking.” Professionally, it has opened the door to a new phase: one where India hopes to build a career in business leadership across sport, consulting, marketing or strategy.
India is acutely aware of the legacy behind the scholarship and the generosity that made it possible. “Joe’s impact on Cranfield is extraordinary,” she says. “It’s clear how much he shaped the School and inspired generations of students.”
For her, the scholarship is also a reminder of what alumni support can achieve. “It allows people at moments of transition — people changing direction, not just progressing in a straight line — to access opportunities like this. That diversity of experience is what makes the Cranfield community so strong.”
Looking ahead — and paying it forward
Although still early in the MBA journey, India already feels a sense of responsibility. “Being the first recipient gives me a platform, but also a duty to make the most of everything Cranfield offers.”
She hopes to stay closely connected to the University long after graduation, supporting future students and strengthening the MBA’s reputation. Just as importantly, she wants to share her story. “I’d love to help others who are considering bold career transitions. To show them that you don’t need a perfectly linear CV to succeed — you just need the courage to start again.”
Asked what she would say to potential Cranfield students, her answer is immediate. “Go for it. I’ve only been here a short time, but the sense of community, the people and the learning have already exceeded my expectations. If the rest of the year is anything like the start, it’s going to be transformational.”
India Wishart’s journey is not about privilege or pedigree, but about reinvention. Her story captures what the Professor Joe Nellis CBE MBA Scholarship was designed to do: support talent at moments of change, unlock potential, and enable the next chapter to begin.
Find out more about the Professor Joe Nellis CBE MBA Scholarship
