Graduation 2025: Anna Tanner

By: Communications

Anna Tanner smiling while wearing a graduation gown and cap

Anna Tanner studied the UEA Senior Leadership Apprenticeship with top-up to MBA Master of Business Administration (executive part-time).

She was named Norfolk Apprentice of the Year 2025 (degree level 6 and 7), has won a clutch of other awards, and went from being one of the youngest apprentices on the programme and a self-described “imposter” to growing in confidence as a strategic leader.

What initially motivated you to take on the Senior Leader Apprenticeship?

I’ve worked in HR throughout my career, across a range of roles and organisations. One of the biggest challenges for any HR professional is making sure your work genuinely supports the wider goals of the business.

The UEA SLA/Executive MBA gave me the chance to build on my ability to do that – broadening my perspective, deepening my business understanding, and elevating my level of strategic thinking.

I was lucky to have the support of Flagship, who saw it as a way to develop both my own capabilities and the impact I could have across the organisation.

How did you overcome the feeling of being an “imposter” and grow into your role as a strategic leader?

I was one of the youngest on the course – walking into my first MBA lecture, I questioned how on earth I'd be able to bring the same level of value as everyone else, but that feeling faded as I got stuck into the course.

Being able to apply what I was learning directly to real challenges at work helped and, over time, I realised that my perspective had value beyond what I’d given myself credit for. I always tell people that one of the biggest impacts of doing the MBA is the confidence it gives you, which stays with you beyond the course itself.

Can you share an example of a project or piece of work during your apprenticeship that you’re particularly proud of?

One project I’m especially proud of was a deep dive into our recruitment process. We wanted to improve performance in property repairs for our customers, and recruitment was a key challenge to this.

I used a systems thinking approach to completely redesign how we did things, from application to onboarding, without adding extra resource. We halved the number of systems we use within the process and cut application times and the end-to-end process times by a significant amount.

Off the back of that, we’ve now introduced AI into our recruitment processes and have even created our first HR AI agent. It’s been exciting to bring my MBA learnings back into the fantastic team of HR professionals I get to work with, and be part of something that’s genuinely moving us forward.

How has the apprenticeship impacted your career and confidence since completing it?

I’m calmer, more strategic, and far more confident in how I lead. It’s helped me stop second-guessing myself and start trusting my judgement more.

Since finishing the programme, I’ve been promoted to a Group Director role, and the personal and professional growth I experienced through the MBA played an integral part in getting me there.

What does it mean to you to be recognised by your peers and training provider through these awards and nominations?

It’s a privilege. To have my efforts acknowledged – by peers, by the University, by others in my sector – is genuinely humbling.

It’s also reminded me of how important it is to pay it forward. I’ve spoken at events, mentored others starting their own apprenticeship journeys, and taken every opportunity to share what I’ve learned. Recognition like this is lovely, but more than anything, it motivates me to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep supporting others.

What advice would you give to someone considering a similar apprenticeship?

Don’t let self-doubt or the scale of the challenge stop you. The mix of learning and on-the-job application is a game-changer. And yes, it’s tough, especially when you’re juggling a busy job and life outside of work, but the growth you’ll experience is worth every late night and deadline.

My biggest piece of advice? Back yourself. You’re more capable than you think.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience or future aspirations?

Before starting the apprenticeship, I had a clear sense of where I wanted to take my career, and I saw the MBA as a key step in helping me get there. What I didn’t expect was how much the journey would change me personally.

I’m more self-aware, more grounded, and more deliberate in how I lead. I’m still aiming for progression beyond where I am today, but now with a stronger foundation and a clearer sense of what kind of leader I want to be – not just for myself, but for the businesses, teams and people I support.

Why is it important that organisations like Flagship invest in their staff through these apprenticeships?

Because the impact is real. This isn’t just a qualification – it’s a shift in mindset, in confidence, in capability. For me personally, the return on investment has been huge, and I know I’m not the only one.

These programmes create leaders who understand the whole business, not just their specialism. In a sector like housing, where the purpose of what we do is so important, and the operating landscape so fast-moving, we need people who can think strategically, lead change, and innovate. Apprenticeships like this help us grow that talent from within.

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