Arbhie Nugraha Hanafi

“Ambitious problem-solver passionate about transformation, storytelling, and building meaningful connections across cultures”

Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve mastered synthesizers and music production, but my toddler still thinks my best talent is making silly animal sounds.

Undergraduate School and Major:
– Universitas Airlangga, Bachelor of Law
– Universitas Surabaya, Bachelor of Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
1. BRI – Project Management Officer
2. BRI – Executive Assistant to Board of Management

What makes Manchester such a great place to earn an MBA degree?

Manchester is a city of rich heritage and innovation, offering a vibrant business ecosystem that is perfect for MBA students to thrive. With its globally connected industries and emphasis on sustainability and social impact, Manchester provides a unique blend of traditional business values and future-focused learning opportunities. The city’s inclusive culture, combined with its strong corporate partnerships, makes it an ideal place to develop both professionally and personally.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Alliance Manchester’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? 

The hands-on consultancy project embedded in Alliance Manchester’s MBA program was a key factor in my decision. The opportunity to work directly with real clients on practical business problems is invaluable. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing the experience needed to manage real-world challenges confidently. This direct client engagement, particularly through social impact and commercial projects, was crucial for me as I wanted to develop both my strategic thinking and leadership skills in a real-world context.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most at Alliance Manchester? 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Leading Global Transitions course, which focused on understanding and adapting to global changes, particularly around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks. The course highlighted the importance of sustainability in business strategy to ensure long-term success while contributing positively to the planet. This course challenged me to think beyond short-term profitability and consider how businesses can remain resilient by addressing global challenges, such as climate change and social equity.

Alliance Manchester is known for its hands-on consultancy projects. Tell us a little bit about a project you worked on? What did you learn that will make you a better professional?

One of the most impactful projects I worked on was a social impact consultancy project for one of a charity organization in South Wales. The project focused on developing a marketing strategy to help the charity grow its funding base and expand its reach within the community. This experience taught me the importance of empathy, stakeholder engagement, and creating sustainable solutions that align with an organization’s values. It also reinforced my understanding of how business skills can be applied to drive positive social impact.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

In my four years at Bank Rakyat Indonesia, I achieved consistent top performance ratings, being recognized as a top employee for two consecutive years. My biggest accomplishment was being entrusted as one of only 20 employees out of 120,000 to serve as an Executive Assistant to the Board of Management. Additionally, I was awarded a full corporate scholarship to pursue my MBA at Alliance Manchester, a recognition of my potential and commitment to continuous growth.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in Alliance Manchester’s MBA program so far:

Aside from completing my first consultancy project, my proudest accomplishment has been receiving a Recognition Award for Most Contributing Student in my cohort. This award reflects my commitment to embodying AMBS values, actively supporting my peers, and contributing to class discussions. It has motivated me to continue engaging fully with the program and strive for excellence in both academic and extracurricular activities.