Staff profiles

Alexandra Komlossy
Programme Manager, Executive Education

"Towards the end of 2003, I read a London Business School job advertisement for "outgoing people" to join Reception in The Stage newspaper, which I used to read as a dancer. After having worked as a choreographer and director for both theatre and holiday resorts I was getting tired of all the travel involved in my job and wanted to settle down in London, where I had started off my career in performing arts. With a career change in mind I wanted to be in a job that allowed me to interact with people, so I applied.

I got the job, and really enjoyed working in a busy, customer-focused environment. Soon after, I learned that the School is a good place for moving on. I was keen to take on a role that would allow me to start organising events, and a year later, I landed a job in the Executive Education Department as a Programme Assistant, working alongside the Programme Managers who were in charge of the General Management Programmes such as the School's popular Accelerated Development Programme, Senior Executive Programme and Emerging Leaders Programme.

But I knew that I wanted more responsibility. Six months later, I was promoted in the same department to the role of Programme Manager, focusing on our custom programmes, and specifically my main client, BT. I do everything from liaising with an account manager as they begin working with a company, to sending pre-course materials to participants before a programme begins, to organising their accommodation and evenings out while they're on campus.

I'm really enjoying my job - in fact, I think it's one of the nicest on campus! And it's allowing me to apply some of the skills from my musical theatre work to the very lessons our faculty teach. At the start of the second module of the ADP programme, for instance, I teach a session on leadership through salsa. The lesson is really fun, and it drives home some of the key lessons in leadership: it won't always be comfortable, someone always has to take the lead, teambuilding as a part of strong leadership and good presentation skills make all the difference.

The work environment at London Business School is really, really good. Everyone makes you feel welcome, we have a good time together, and we help each other. This is important when you start to consider career progression – you've got to be determined, and you'll have to do a bit of your own research to determine your next step at the School."

Andrew Younger
Treasury and Financial Reporting Manager, Accounts

"In April 2003, I joined London Business School as a temp in the Accounts Department. I had arrived from South Africa just a few months before, and at an after-hours office social on my fourth day at the School, I realised that my work mates and I just seemed to 'click.' By June, I was appointed an Accounts Assistant, and the following February became the CMD Accounts Managers. In October 2005, I was promoted to Treasury and Financial Reporting Manager.

I've really enjoyed working at the School for a number of reasons. First, the sense of community has been great – I have made many good friends both inside and outside of my department.

I'm also the kind of person who likes to be involved - and getting involved at the School is just a matter of stepping up! I've been able to serve the growing staff community through participation on the Staff Committee, where I represent staff from a number of departments. We hold regular Staff Forums to discuss topics of staff interest, such as space on campus and staff reward and remuneration. We also have quarterly meetings with the Director of Human Resources and the School's Deputy Dean and Secretary.

Recently, we have highlighted issues and made suggestions to improve the School's policies on health, safety and the environment. Senior Management took note and acted, forming a new Health, Safety and Environment Committee.

I'm also active in our popular Sports and Social (SAS) Club, which arranges discounted trips and events, as well as School-wide events such as the games part of Summer Celebration, Halloween Party, Pub Quizzes, etc. At the end of the day, on Staff Committee and SAS, we're trying to make the staff experience better.

There's also a 'wow factor' with regards to the faculty and the visitors you come in contact with. At university in South Africa, I studied economic theory and textbooks written by faculty at London Business School. I have also had the opportunity to hear world leaders such as former US President Bill Clinton, former GE boss Jack Welch, and Chancellor Gordon Brown speak at the School. Where else can you get this?

Finally, the School is supporting me as I work towards my ACCA professional accounting qualification, which makes a real difference.

I've made the right choice and I feel very at home here in the School."

Linden Selby
Senior Admissions Manager, Sloan and Executive MBA Programmes

"I joined London Business School as a secretary in the Strategic and International Management group in 1990. I always felt that joining a business school was a bit weird, because I didn't enjoy school that much as a student. But these days, it's hard to imagine myself anywhere else. London Business School has given me the chance to work with inspiring, intelligent and lively people. Their knowledge, professionalism and curiosity are impressive.

I also work in an sector that I can be proud of. We can stand up against any other business school in the world, and I know that our excellent customer service and portfolio of programmes differentiate us from the competition.

What's more, the School has supported my career ambitions. I moved from my first job on to being a research centre administrator, and later working in degree programmes. I have led teams in the marketing and admissions side, ensuring that the 400-plus students enrolled in the School's Executive MBA, EMBA-Global and Sloan Fellowship programmes meet our rigorous selection criteria.

And to do this, I was offered opportunities to expand my professional skills set. The School supported me as I completed an external marketing qualification, and also sent me on its own Marketing Evening Programme. I also participate in professional development programmes with my counterparts at business schools in the US and Europe. More recently, I was chosen to complete the School's new Management Development Programme. The programme has changed the way I do things, and the ways I work with others. We worked in teams on strategic projects, and had to balance the learning and the work - just like our EMBA students.

London Business School is the first and only business school I have ever worked at. In 1990, I chose it because I needed a pay check -- there was a recession in the UK, and I was in the slow-moving holiday industry. In 2006, I'd encourage you to join us because we work hard, we're supported at every level, we produce excellent programmes, support fantastic academics, and we know how to have a good time. I have been here a long time, but it always feels fresh because I have moved around and carried on learning and developing."

Shontae Romain
Annual Fund Manager, Development Office, External Relations

"I joined London Business School in late October 2005, as the Annual Fund Manager. The Annual Fund provides money for student scholarships, faculty research and support, campus upgrades, and an unrestricted pool – the Dean's fund – which helps the School meet unexpected opportunities and challenges. My job is to encourage alumni to give to support it each year.

Most recently, I worked as a Membership Officer at non-profit charity One Parent Families in Kentish Town. But this is not my first taste of fundraising. As a student at London School of Economics (I studied social policy and sociology), and in the first year after graduating, I worked in their fundraising office.

Working at London Business School is a whole different ball game. You cannot see business schools the same way you would see other educational institutions. At London Business School there is an air of maturity and a high standard of professionalism which can be seen in all areas, from students right through to senior staff.

The School's reach into the private sector keeps my job fresh, and has given me experience into different areas of business. Through my day-to-day routine I can't help but learn about the success of a bank or the generosity an entrepreneur has shown the School. Some of the work that I do gives me the opportunity to interact with our graduate students, and this makes my job quite varied.

You can tell that the School is committed to us as staff. I base that on the learning opportunities there are, and the emails that are always flying around about the financial advisor, or counsellor being on campus – for free - for staff – I haven't experienced this in any of my other roles. And in the External Relations department, we also have regular faculty lunches, introducing us to faculty members, their research interests and goals. It's quite a bonus. There's always an opportunity to learn and self develop."

Paul Kane
Enterprise Systems Developer, Information Systems Division

"I am the School's resident Portal guru. Portal is an online network that allows our global community to find out what is going around the School, to communicate with fellow members, and to participate and network in the School's clubs and teams. Two thousand people use Portal every day, with 3 million total logins to date, so I'm pretty busy.

I develop and maintain the core Portal application and develop and design new features - most recently adding more functionality to the School's directory of faculty, staff, students and alumni.

I joined London Business School in April 2003, when the economy went pear-shaped and - what seemed to be the fad then - I was made redundant from Sun Microsystems. I started as a java developer and later moved into Portal systems.

I really enjoy my job and the varied shift patterns. Outside of work, I enjoy skiing (I go every year), movies (I'm a bit of an action nut and have been known to fly to the US to see a film not yet out here), and online gaming (I've been paid to play at tournaments!)."