Ario Narimany

When Ario Narimany joined London Business School’s (LBS) Masters in Management (MiM), he had a clear vision for his future. With a bachelors degree in Global Business, Finance and Management from the Warsaw School of Economics, he had already set his sights on a career in technology. At LBS, he honed the expertise needed to excel in both product and strategy roles, ensuring he was well-equipped to achieve his post-LBS goals.

I was determined to pursue a masters degree that would launch my career abroad. Having spent my childhood between Poland and Germany, I had already experienced life in different countries and even completed a semester of my undergraduate degree at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. Expanding my international experience felt like a natural next step. With London offering both cultural richness and vast career opportunities, it was the perfect place to make that happen. I was also keen to be associated with the strong, recognisable London Business School brand and the reputation that comes with it.

LBS offers diversity like nowhere else. I now have friends from all over the world. Being in an environment where different perspectives, backgrounds and personalities come together was incredibly important to me. People often think of diversity in terms of ethnicity, but at LBS, it’s so much more than that. I’ve learnt so much from people with different cultural backgrounds, ways of thinking and from different industries. This level of diversity wouldn’t have been possible in my life without LBS, and the experience has made me more open-minded, inclusive and self-aware — both in and out of the workplace.

I loved networking with more senior cohorts, especially MBAs. Some members of my study group had more industry experience, and working together and exchanging ideas was incredibly enriching. They brought so much academic and professional experience to the table. Collaborating with more experienced students helped me feel ready for the professional world, where you’re constantly interacting with people at different stages of their careers. Their advice on applications was invaluable, and their insights into the companies I was applying to really made a difference. I also had an Executive MBA mentor who was instrumental — not just during my time at LBS, but also in helping me navigate my career afterwards. I’m confident that if I reached out to my mentor today, he’d schedule a chat with me next week. That kind of support has been crucial — and a few of the senior students I met, who also went on to join American Express, are now some of my closest colleagues and friends.

I wanted to learn from the best, and that’s exactly what I found at LBS. During my undergraduate degree, my internships were focused on consulting and tech, and I knew early on that I wanted to build my career within the tech sector. As a fast-growing field, it felt like the right direction. When I explored the School and the Masters in Management, it was clear I’d benefit from the industry experts, the electives on offer and the support of the Career Centre. With such a clear focus on a career in tech — particularly in product management or strategy — I was determined to make the most of every resource available to help me get there.

The variety of electives available at LBS means you can tailor your learning to the career path you envision. Whether that’s consulting, finance, or, in my case, tech. My favourite elective was Product Management, taught by an incredible professor with a wealth of industry experience, Lil Mohan. All the research I did into product management outside the programme could only take me so far — the practical assignments and core principles I learnt in class have become the foundation of my career. Key lessons like making data-driven decisions and being user-centric have been crucial. One assignment involved building a prototype app for a business idea, which we then tested with peers and refined based on their feedback. This process mirrored the kind of tasks I tackled in my first job, where I regularly conducted customer interviews to improve products. I was able to approach those tasks with confidence thanks to the hands-on experience I gained on the programme.

My LondonLAB project was a stepping stone in my professional journey. I was fortunate to work with a company aligned with my goal of gaining more experience in product management. Our group partnered with a FinTech business focused on helping people save money and improve their credit score. We supported them in expanding their product into new markets, and I loved every moment of it. I took on the role of team leader, and it was incredibly rewarding to apply our work in a real-world setting, especially knowing that the company later implemented some of our recommendations. The two biggest areas of learning I took from the project — understanding product functionalities and exploring market expansion — are essentially what I focus on now in my full-time role at American Express.

The career support at LBS is exceptional and extends well beyond graduation. The Career Centre offers invaluable resources, including one-on-one sessions with career coaches, CV reviews and application guidance. Industry hubs, such as Tech or Finance, provide tailored advice to help you navigate specific sectors. And with the LBS network supporting you throughout your career, the opportunities are endless.

Networking with LBS alumni has played a key role in accelerating my career. It’s an inherent part of the LBS experience, whether connecting with fellow students or engaging with the broader alumni community. I became comfortable reaching out to people I didn’t know, a skill that’s served me well in my current role at American Express, where networking is also central to the culture. Not once has anyone in the LBS network turned me down when I’ve reached out. Having access to such a talented and accomplished community, many of whom are leaders in their fields, has been incredibly valuable, both in the short and long term.

One recent alumni experience was a full-circle moment for me. I was invited by Ania Mirkowska, the Career Centre FinTech lead, to speak on a panel. As I spoke, I remembered attending those same events as a student, networking with professionals who had already built impressive careers. Standing on stage, I realised I’d become one of those people. While I’m still early in my career, I could see I was already becoming a specialist in my field.

The knowledge I gained at LBS continues to open doors. The Masters in Management programme set me up perfectly for my career. After I graduated, I worked at RVU in product management, from where I moved to another product management role at American Express.There, I was promoted into a strategy-focused role as Manager of Strategy and Transformation. Moving from deep expertise in one product to overseeing a broader portfolio felt like a natural next step. I now draw on my product background to make informed strategic decisions. I love working at the intersection of product and strategy, and plan to stay in that space as I grow my career at American Express. One thing I know for certain: I’ll continue to lean on the LBS network, wherever my career takes me.