Henry Engelhardt MBA’88J: Cultivating Positive Corporate Culture

At his recent 35-year reunion at the INSEAD Europe Campus, we had the privilege of speaking to Henry Engelhardt MBA’88J, who shared with us his inspiring journey from an INSEAD graduate to founder and CEO of Admiral Group, an international financial services group. His story not only illustrates his personal success but also demonstrates the transformative power of an INSEAD MBA. 

Henry credits his time at INSEAD with preparing him for a career in general management, enabling him to apply his expertise to multiple disciplines from marketing to finance to sales. Not only this, but he met his future co-founder of Admiral Group, David Stevens MBA’88J, and welcomed his first child during his P3 exams – a truly formative year!  

“When people love what they do, they’ll do it better.” - Henry Engelhardt

Henry was keen to share his belief that there is a profound link between a positive corporate culture and economic success. He firmly believes that “when people love what they do, they’ll do it better”, with organizational culture playing a pivotal role in this equation. This includes creating a culture of equality for all staff, encouraging a healthy work-life balance, and promoting open-communication in the workplace. 

Henry's story also underscores INSEAD's mission to shape individuals who contribute positively to society. It's not just about personal success; it's about disseminating effective management techniques and ethical business practices. With Admiral Group employing over 10,000 people, INSEAD’s impact ripples out into society, creating a better and more productive world.  

Henry's journey from an INSEAD graduate to founder and CEO of Admiral Group exemplifies the remarkable outcomes that can be achieved through education, the cultivation of a strong corporate culture, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world. His story serves as an inspiration for current and future INSEAD students, showcasing the transformative potential of their education.  

To gain more insights from Henry, watch the video below: