Bayes Business School (formerly Cass)

Following graduation I embarked on a new and exciting professional journey in Switzerland, transitioning into the wealth management industry while focusing on the UK market and serving ultra high net worth individuals. My role primarily involves building and managing a portfolio of ultra-high-net-worth clientele and their family offices based in the UK. To achieve positive performance in a highly volatile market, I conduct comprehensive reviews of client portfolios, assess strategies based on objectives and risk profiles, identify opportunities, and provide investment recommendations. The skills I acquired during my MBA have been integral to my success in my current career as a Private Banker at Credit Suisse. These skills have provided a strong foundation for my role, allowing me to excel in serving my clients' unique needs and driving their financial success. The analytical and critical thinking skills developed during my MBA studies have been particularly valuable. They enable me to assess complex financial situations, analyse market trends, and identify investment opportunities that align with my clients' goals and risk tolerance. This expertise allows me to provide tailored and strategic advice, maximizing returns and mitigating risks for my clients' portfolios. The leadership and communication skills honed during my MBA have also played a crucial role in my career progression. As a Private Banker, building strong relationships with clients is paramount. My ability to effectively communicate complex financial concepts and strategies instils confidence in my clients and fosters long-term partnerships. Having a solid understanding of finance and accounting principles, acquired through my MBA, is also essential in my role as a Private Banker. It enables me to assess the financial health of clients' businesses, evaluate investment opportunities, and navigate complex financial transactions. This knowledge serves as the backbone of the comprehensive wealth management solutions I provide to my clients. Furthermore, the marketing and strategic insights gained during the programme have proven invaluable. Understanding consumer behaviour and market dynamics allows me to identify untapped opportunities and tailor my services to meet the evolving needs of my clients. I leverage this knowledge to develop personalised investment strategies and offer innovative financial solutions that address their specific requirements. Finally, the entrepreneurial mindset fostered during my MBA has been instrumental in my career at Credit Suisse. It enables me to adapt to changing market conditions, embrace new technologies, and identify innovative ways to serve my clients better. This mindset empowers me to be proactive in identifying emerging trends and providing forward-thinking solutions to meet the ever-changing demands of ultrahigh net worth individuals and their family offices.

My Executive MBA opened the door to a much more senior role. I previously worked at Skanska as a Development Manager but by the age of 30, I was starting to become conscious of the fact I’d only ever worked for one company, and my professional development was centred around construction. I’ve always been keen to further myself push my career forward and learn from others so an Executive MBA seemed like the ideal next step. After completing the Executive MBA I spent a couple more years with Skanska, but it was clear I needed to move to get to a more senior level. I joined Amazon and I’m adamant that if I hadn't done the Executive MBA I would not have progressed as far in my career so quickly. Part of that was because it gave me academic experience and knowledge of different areas of business I wouldn’t have been able to get with my previous job. Thanks to the programme I now have a lot more in my toolkit. I’ve been able to come into my new role and introduce my team to more structured, strategic business planning. I presented the business case internally to support my team gaining chartership with the Chartered Instiutute of Building (CIOB) (equivalent to an undergraduate degree) which has come directly from my experience at Bayes and the importance placed on professional development. I’m really enjoying being a manager, mentoring and helping others on their career paths – something I’ve not done before. I’ve also leveraged my experience on the MBA to increase my exposure to boards and governance – I now sit on a CIOB strategic committee and I’m the governor of a local school (something suggested to me by somebody I met at Bayes). In the longer term, I’m looking forward to increasing my levels of responsibility and accountability, and to continue to think strategically.

The Bayes Modular Executive MBA was the best tool I could have had for helping my career. Doing it part-time while working meant that I could immediately use what I was learning with the start-ups I was supporting at work. The knowledge got solidified quickly and I was able to see how it was helping others. Having spent a decade slowly trying to reorient my professional direction, the MBA was exactly what I needed to pivot my career and secure my dream job.

I decided to do my Executive MBA at Bayes Business School because I knew it would open doors for me and accelerate my career – it’s something that you have on your CV that makes people stand up and pay attention. The programme broadened my horizons and the way I look at the world. Being in a small company and in a position of seniority I knew that my MBA learnings could actively affect the decisions that we made. Seeing the impact of my MBA on the business has been really satisfying.

The MBA experience at Bayes will change you, and it's essential to embrace the process and allow the transformation to happen. Don't be afraid to take on the challenges that come your way. The programme is designed to push you out of your comfort zone and help you develop skills and knowledge beyond your existing experience. This process may be complex and demanding, but it is also rewarding and transformative. The highlight of my MBA journey at Bayes was the human aspect - the people I met and the bonds we formed. The connections I made will be with me for a lifetime, and I am forever grateful for the friendships and professional relationships formed during my time at Bayes. These relationships are, for me, the true value of the MBA experience.

I couldn’t have been happier with the MBA programme. The lecturers were great, the facilities were top-notch and the classes gave you a highly technical view while allowing you to apply what you learnt. The biggest challenge was delivering to the highest standard every time, whether it’s classes, exams, homework or presentations. You have to carefully manage your time and the team you’re working with, putting 100% into everything. The modules that took me out of my comfort zone were the ones I found the most helpful, such as the Strategy Project and the International Consulting week, where we tackled a relevant business problem and presented the solution to a real clients.