Introducing reps of LBS’s One-year MBA2026 and MBA2027 classes

International focus, global diversity and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through targeted experiential learning. These are just three of the reasons why students from our latest MBA cohort have opted to study at London Business School (LBS). Poets & Quants highlights some of the whys and wherefores of our MBA2027 and One-year MBA2026 choices in its latest ‘Meet London Business School’s MBA Class’ story.

Many students are drawn to LBS because London is a global business hub with impressive professional networks. Texan Tristen Newman believes the city “offers a unique opportunity to engage with leaders from around the world, learn from their challenges, and better understand the nuances of executing deals across diverse markets.” Similarly, history loving Scot Patrick Arbuthnott views London as a great place to earn an MBA degree because it’s “a city where ideas from every corner of the world collide, offering constant inspiration and access to global opportunity.”

Nigerian Olanike Salau, who has “bold goals of positively impacting Africa’s infrastructure finance landscape” and Oregon native Emily Corrigan, Co-Founder of Process Gurus, agree. Emily was drawn to London’s “diversity, startup ecosystem, and professional networks” and Olanike feels that “London offers incredible opportunities for MBA students like myself who are looking to develop global knowledge and relevance in the finance industry and beyond.”

One-year MBA student Grant Soll, an adventurous South African who has rowed across the Atlantic, was also attracted by the city’s diversity, culture, and vibrant atmosphere. “For me, wanting to focus my MBA on building a wellness-focused venture, the city’s active lifestyle, strong investment ecosystem and creative edge also makes it an ideal launchpad.”

Being able to explore entrepreneurship from both sides of the table was what brought FIX8 Kombucha Founder Freya Twigden to LBS. She sees LBS as “the ideal environment to shape entrepreneurial instinct and build further commercial acumen within a network of globally diverse classmates.”

Students also highlight LBS’s strong experiential learning offer as a big draw. Opera singer turned entrepreneur Denira Coleman and private equity professional Abraham Tesfu Firdie are excited by the practical approach to the concepts you learn in class. For Abraham, LBS’s Global Experience course stood out immediately. “The opportunity to work in an emerging market, solving real-world challenges with a team of global professionals, mirrors the work I aim to do post-MBA. It was important to me that experiential learning wasn’t an afterthought at LBS; it’s baked into the curriculum.”

Other students were attracted by the flexibility and highly customisable nature of the programme. Italian aerospace materials scientist turned supercar brakes project lead Alessandro Piglione feels that the “wide range of elective courses, experiential learning opportunities, and international exchange options within the program” will allow him to tailor his MBA journey and develop the skills needed to achieve his goals. Californian Jasmine Sanghera values faculty expertise. She is particularly excited to learn from strategists like Kamalini Ramdas and Luisa Alemany, whose work at the intersection of technology and healthcare aligns closely with her interests.

The opportunity to make a difference is what attracted Emma Hutchinson from Boulder, Colorado to LBS. A “Multilingual, ‘Third Culture Kid’ with passion for climate action and thirst for new experiences”, Emma wanted a business school that takes social impact and sustainability seriously. “I will be that student in the LBS classroom who constantly brings up climate risk and asks what more a particular company could do to make its operations more sustainable – and I hope to inspire my fellow classmates to do the same.”

Personal growth is also a goal. Consultant, startup founder and VC investor Satya Sagar picked LBS not just for the career outcomes, but as an avenue to rediscover himself, find new hobbies, and grow personally. Having also been to Dubai, Singapore, Paris, and New York City, Satya believes that “London is hands down the best city to do this.”

Alex Hitchens found it hard to single out one reason he chose LBS. The school’s global reputation, breadth and depth of electives, calibre of faculty, experiential learning opportunities, exchange terms, careers centre and alumni network all played a part. The defining moment, however, was his LBS interview - “a conversation grounded in genuine curiosity and care, one that valued my past experiences while encouraging me to envision how I could contribute meaningfully to the classroom and beyond.”

If you’re a potential applicant hoping to gain a place at LBS, Tristen has some great advice: “Take the time to genuinely reflect on why you’re pursuing an MBA and how LBS is uniquely positioned to help you reach your goals. When your “why” comes from a place of honesty and clarity, it fuels your enthusiasm. That authenticity will shine through in your essays, making you truly stand out and hard to turn away.”