Kate Burford (she/her)

Previous degree: Bachelors in Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, UK

Finance sector pre-MiF: Manager – Transaction Services, PwC

Current role: Financial Due Diligence Manager

Clubs: Women in Business, Retail, Luxury and Consumer, Racket Sports

About me: I started my career in PwC’s insurance audit practice in London, where I qualified as a chartered accountant and built a solid grounding in finance and business fundamentals. After a few years, I moved into the PwC capital markets team, working with companies preparing to raise capital in the UK. I really enjoyed seeing how businesses tell their story to investors and navigate the pressures of going public.

After that, I decided to move into financial due diligence because I wanted to be closer to the commercial side of deals. I’ve loved being part of M&A projects where every transaction feels different, and you get to dig into what really drives a business. It’s fast-paced, challenging and full of opportunities to learn from both clients and colleagues.

I’m studying the MiFPT programme at LBS to strengthen my technical skills and learn from people who’ve built careers across different areas of finance. One of the best parts has been meeting people from so many backgrounds and swapping experiences and perspectives, both in class and through clubs and events.

Outside of work and study, I love meeting new people, exploring different cultures and keeping active through sports like tennis, skiing and padel. I’m also passionate about supporting women in business and creating spaces where people feel encouraged to speak up and lead in their own way. I’m especially keen to meet people who are expressive and passionate and want to bring that energy to LBS!