Prince Aning
Doctor of Philosophy, Marketing, Enterprise and Tourism
1. Tell us about yourself.
Strategist by trade, Academic by nature, and Entrepreneur at heart. I am Prince Akowuah Aning, PhD.
My journey from ARU to the vibrant markets of Accra has been defined by one goal: to drive strategic business transformation in Africa’s challenging environments.
When I’m not consulting for growth-oriented SMEs or managing my logistics firm, you can find me in the lecture halls of Ashesi. I deeply value the global perspective ARU gave me, and I’m always eager to connect with fellow alumni to discuss opportunities for collaboration around the globe.
2. What is your fondest memory of Anglia Ruskin University?
My time in Cambridge was exciting, full of many pleasant memories both on and off campus. A few I can recollect are:
- Being your own boss seminar series
- My time in Cambridge with my supervisor, Prof Lynn Martin, who was incredibly helpful throughout my PhD journey. Her guidance and support shaped not just my research but my entire approach to academic rigour and strategic thinking.
- Time hanging out with my fellow West African post-grad students after the seminar and research days.
- The postgraduate football games—we had such an international mix of students from all over the world coming together on the pitch. It was where national cultural barriers dissolved for me and seeds of lifelong friendships were sown.
3. What has been your favourite job?
That's a difficult question because I've been privileged to wear many hats. If I had to choose, I'd say my current role as a Lead Strategy Consultant and Managing Partner of Edip Consulting Group.
There's something deeply fulfilling about working on multiple client projects, leading diverse teams across various companies, making strategic decisions that transform firms, and seeing African SMEs. Consulting also grounds all my academic theories in practical business reality and allows my to transfer my own entrepreneurship experience to different client organisations.
4. In one word, how would you describe Anglia Ruskin University?
Cosmopolis.
5. How did your time at ARU help you?
Success in Africa’s evolving markets requires more than just a degree; it requires a specific way of seeing the world. At Anglia Ruskin University, I traded a local perspective for a global lens, learning to navigate the nuances of a truly international environment.
My time at ARU and my PhD research on finding ways to solve problems in difficult situations have really shaped who I am as a professional. ARU and my PhD research have been very important to me. When I work with businesses, I do not just give them advice, I use a well-researched approach to help them think about what they can really do, even when things are tough.
6. What did you love about your chosen course?
I loved the freedom to explore what genuinely fascinated me—how businesses adapt and survive in challenging environments. My PhD allowed me to dive deep into Ghana's entrepreneurial ecosystem and propose theories that could actually help business owners. The balance between rigorous academic inquiry and real-world relevance was exactly what I needed.
7. What advice would you give to current students as they’re preparing to graduate?
Don't see your degree as an endpoint but as a foundation. The real learning begins when you apply your knowledge in contexts that weren't in the textbooks. Be patient with yourself, stay curious, and remain open to opportunities that may not fit your original plan. Some of my best career moves, like returning to Ghana to run a logistics company, were never in my initial roadmap.
8. What do you know now that you wish you had known whilst studying?
I wish I had understood earlier that academic research and practical business execution are not separate worlds. The theories we study have immense power when applied correctly. I also wish I had networked more intentionally with alumni while still studying—the connections I've made post-graduation have been invaluable.
9. Who was the biggest influence on your career?
My PhD supervisor at ARU, Professor Lynn Martin.
She didn't just supervise my research; she modelled what it means to be a rigorous academic who remains deeply connected to real-world problems. Her belief in my work on institutional voids and business model innovation, coupled with her belief in my personal competence, gave me the confidence to pursue this niche to the end, which has now become my professional signature.
10. What advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your instincts about the value of your unique perspective. When I chose to research business model innovation in Ghanaian SMEs, some questioned whether it was "academic enough." That work has become the bedrock of my consulting practice and teaching. Your unique lens is your greatest asset—don't abandon it trying to fit a mould.
11. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I'm an avid chess player and football enthusiast, but what most people don't know is how much I value quiet moments of journaling, philosophy, and meditation. In the midst of running a company, lecturing, and consulting, those moments of philosophical study and introspection keep me grounded.
12. What’s next?
I'm currently developing a series of papers and case studies on institutional voids and SME growth, aiming to contribute to practice, policy, and study concerning SME transformation and institutional theory in Africa.
I'm also building my platform as a media contributor and public intellectual, to bring research-backed insights to broader conversations about Africa's economic transformation. And, of course, continuing to grow my logistics business and support the incredible entrepreneurs I'm privileged to teach and consult. The journey continues.