Ashridge Executive Education Discuses What Makes a Good Leader
Each year, at The Lloyds Bank National Business Awards UK, Ashridge Executive Education presents the highest accolade, the Leader of the Year Award. The Award goes to an exemplary leader who has successfully led a strategy for outstanding performance. Continue reading…
Brexit And The International MBA
The shockwave of the U.K.’s vote to leave the European Union in late June, 2016, caused an immeasurable amount of ripple effects—many of which are, still, difficult to quantify. Stocks immediately descended upon hearing the news of UK voters opting to the leave the EU by a close margin of 52 percent to 48 percent. Just four months after the move, the value of the English pound fell to its lowest rate in 31 years, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The long-term effect of the vote will take years—potentially decades—to determine. And one of the many areas potentially feeling those drastic effects is the MBA market in London.
As the financial epicenter of the world, London’s prestigious business schools have potentially a lot to lose when it comes to the value of the MBA, not mention the overall cost of earning one. Economic analysts have already speculated that the price of earning an MBA will diminish because of the value of the pound, but small purchases (like the brand new Apple MacBook Pro) will be more expensive in the U.K. than other markets because of the Brexit effect. So concerns, to put it lightly, are all over the map.
According to reports, new U.K. prime minister Theresa May has already gone on record saying that the number of international students joining the UK will be reduced in light of the vote, which was significantly driven by immigration concerns.
“As Home Secretary,” writes Bloomberg reporter Lance Lambert, “she implemented visa changes that made it harder for students from abroad to stay in the country after graduation. A crackdown on immigration was at the heart of the ‘Leave’ movement calling for Britain’s exit [from the EU].”
A crackdown in such a manner could drive a significant portion of potential students to competitive U.S. business schools, making the all-important talent pool more shallow in the U.K.
This isn’t the first attempt from May to curtail international students in recent years. As Home Office Secretary, May imposed tighter restrictions on student visas, which went into effect in 2015. The Chartered Association of Business Schools notes, “Non-EU first-year students studying business and administration in the country last year dropped 8.6 percent to 60,190, the lowest level since 2009-10.”
Of the £3.25 billion business students enter into the U.K. economy, £2.4 billion comes from international students—roughly 73 percent of the total amount. And with the potential £51 billion loss in revenue from British banks, the prestige of joining the finance industry in England may begin to deflate.
Not all news is dour, however. Considering the long-term effects haven’t yet played out, there remains some steady optimism that the negative effects won’t be as disastrous as some speculated.
Andrew Likierman, dean of London Business School, spoke with Bloomberg, saying, “In all of the dealings I’ve had with politicians … our students are precisely who they want to attract to the U.K.” He hopes the moves won’t eliminate top-tier talent from entering the country, rather, weed out the potentially weaker applicants.
“This isn’t the first time people have gotten anxious about globalization. This is just the latest of that manifestation,” Likierman says. “What we’re offering students from all over the world is to get a very global view of business. And the demand for that isn’t going away.”
With preparation for the full move still in its early stages (the U.K. doesn’t officially leave the EU until March 2017), how it will play out is exceptionally uncertain. John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, has gone on record saying that May and her cabinet are still in a “make it up as they go along” type of strategy, which probably doesn’t espouse confidence. The long-term success of the move may be predicated on how the country handles working with international markets, which also affects the value of its academic institutions and the aforementioned MBA programs.
If anything is certain, it is that MBA students will have a large opportunity to learn about the changes government initiatives have on businesses, both domestic and international. It’s just a matter of whether or not students will be in London to learn about it.
Henley EMBA Ranks Top 50 in the World
For the second year in a row, the Financial Times ranked Henley Business School at the University of Reading as one of the top 50 EMBA programs in the world. The school ascended two places since last year’s ranking and was positioned as one of the top 10 programs in the UK and among the top 20 in Europe. Continue reading…
London’s Largest MBA Employers
For MBAs looking to begin a career in London, there is an array of amazing opportunities. Not only are there a number of top companies hiring large numbers of MBAs, but those with advanced degrees tend to earn more and witness more growth than those without. In fact, a recent analysis of MBA graduates from the London Business School reveal that 93 percent of students had received and accepted a job offer within three months of graduation. The average salary for such graduates was $117,596.
London is home to a number of international companies and remains a bustling center of global business. Here are just a few of the top London companies currently hiring MBAs.
McKinsey and Company is a global management firm which works alongside some of the top public and private sector organizations in the U.K. to address their most pressing needs in technology, strategy and operations. Partnered with several leading companies in London and around the world, McKinsey aims to set long-term goals surrounding challenges of the economy, as well as contribute to dialogue about current trends in business and society.
McKinsey & Company’s has more than 90 global offices, including London, where it has operated for over 50 years. McKinsey was the top employer of London Business School MBAs last year, with a staggering 38 new hires among graduating students.
The Boston Consulting Group is a massive consulting group now with more than 80 locations in 48 countries. A leading advisor for business strategy around the globe, the BCG remains a top employer of MBAs in London. The company also provides students opportunities to get involved before graduating. Each fall, BCG recruits undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students as associates to help solve some of the toughest client challenges.
Founded in 1856 out of Zurich, Switzerland, Credit Suisse is one of the leading global private banks, employing more than 48,200 people in 150 different countries. Focusing on three different business areas—Swiss Universal Bank, Asia Pacific and International Wealth Management—Credit Suisse is constantly looking for ways to make inroads into new markets and support and elevate its employees.
Credit Suisse offers analyst and associate programs in all major areas outside of Switzerland, which are available to MBA and MA students. The company also offers a 8-10 week summer internship program just for current MBAs.
Bain & Company is a leading management consulting firm, which works with business leaders across the U.K. to help make companies more valuable. Established in 1979, Bain London is the oldest office and the first outside of the United States.
The Bain London offices are home to more than 456 employees and—in 2006—Bain was recognized by the Financial Times as the #1 “Best Place to Work”. Bain actively recruits MBA students from top programs around the world, and is open to applications for consultant positions from students in the second year of their program or nearing the end of a one year degree.
Established in 1926, today A.T. Kearney is a leading global management firm with offices in more than 40 countries worldwide. Partner-owned, A.T. Kearney works with two-thirds of the Fortune Global 500, and some of the top non-profit and governmental organizations around the world.
A.T. Kearney is a top employer of business students in London and provides a multitude of opportunities for MBAs to get involved even before they join the career force. Each year, the company offers a the Global Prize Annual Strategy Case Competition, which invites post-graduate students to take on real-world consulting challenges.
The Best Finance MBA Programs in London
The economy of London is dominated by the financial services industry. In fact, the city is the largest financial exporter in the world and is home to exchanges, banks, brokers, pension funds, reinsurance markets and more. It’s also a notable center of international finance and home to the second oldest central bank in the world: the Bank of England. Other major financial institutions in London include the London Stock Exchange, the London Bullion Market and HSBC.
So, it’s no wonder that London is a top destination for MBAs looking to enter the financial industry. But where should MBAs head to school for their best chance at success post graduation? We’ve outlined our top five Finance MBA programs in London to give you a head start on the process. Continue reading…
The Economist Ranks London MBA Programs
The Economist has revealed its annual ranking of the top full-time MBA Programs in the world. This year, five London schools made it onto the list, with three schools landing in the top 50.
