Mohammed Alotaibi
- Programme: Masters in Management
- Nationality: Saudi Arabian American
- Scholarship: London Business School Africa & Middle East
Education: Bachelors, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands; graduated in 2024
Subject: International Business
Sector(s) of interest: Consulting, Finance
My greatest challenge when I applied to business school: Digesting the large and scattered pieces of information, including recommendations and opinions of people online, and networking on LinkedIn with alumni.
About me: I grew up with different interests and was unsure about what I wanted to do with my career. I was born and raised in the US, studied in the Netherlands, and started my career in Saudi Arabia. Moving between places where the language, norms and way of doing business differ shaped how I see the world. It made me curious about people, comfortable adapting to unfamiliar environments, and especially drawn to international communities, which is a large part of why London Business School appealed to me.
My interest in finance led me to internships in fintech and payments, followed by a full-time role at Johnson & Johnson’s MEA Finance Leadership Development Program in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, where I worked in financial planning and analysis. Through these experiences, I became increasingly interested in how financial analysis connects to strategic decision-making, and I wanted to pursue a programme that would broaden my business perspective beyond one function or region.
My first true encounter with London Business School was from my senior manager and director at Saudi Payments, both MBA alumni. What stayed with me was how they talked about the people they’d met. I realised that alongside the world-class education, the network you make at London Business School is a lifelong connection with like-minded people, and that’s the environment for me to thrive in.
At London Business School, I am focused on investment banking and corporate strategy, and am serving as a student ambassador this year. I’m involved in the Consulting Club and Finance Club, as well as the Middle East and North Africa, Trek, and Geopolitics & Business Clubs. Outside class, I play football, lift, and enjoy specialty coffee.
Three topics I can be approached about: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a whole; regional geopolitics/economic plans; breaking into international business and consulting in the GCC.
Email: malotaibi.mim2027@london.edu