Max Kim
- Programme: Masters in Financial Analysis
- Nationality: South Korean
Education: Bachelors, ESSEC Business School, France; graduated in 2026
Subject: Business Administration, Communication, Media and Marketing
Sector(s) of interest: M&A, Private Capital Advisory, Private Equity, Secondaries
My greatest challenge when I applied to business school: Finding the right words to capture my journey, the places and cultures that have shaped me, and my ambitions for the future in just a few hundred words.
About me: Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, I have always been drawn to new places, people and cultures. I moved to France to pursue my undergraduate degree at ESSEC Business School, where I also learned French along the way. I then made the move to London to join the MFA programme at London Business School. Having studied and lived across three very different countries, I have been fortunate to experience how much you can learn simply by stepping outside of what is familiar.
During my time at ESSEC, I completed a 28-month apprenticeship at Amundi as an investment analyst within their private markets fund-of-funds platform. I worked across primary, secondary and co-investment opportunities, which sparked my interest in private markets and particularly in the secondary market. After Amundi, I became increasingly curious about the other side of the investment ecosystem following the rapid growth of the AI and technology sector. I joined Sopra Steria’s corporate venture capital team, where I gained exposure to venture capital and early-stage investing.
Outside of finance, Cape Town remains very close to my heart. I love being outdoors, travelling, discovering new places and meeting people from different backgrounds. Having moved countries several times, I know that starting somewhere new can be both exciting and daunting. One of the things I value most about London Business School is how easy it is to meet people from all over the world.
I consider myself very approachable and would be happy to chat about anything from applying to London Business School and preparing for a career in finance to adapting to a new country, finding your feet in London, or simply making the most of the international experience at the School.
Three topics I can be approached about: Finance careers and recruiting; international student experience; adjusting to a new country.
Email: mkim.mfa2027@london.edu