Jacques Boussuge, HEC Paris MBA Class of 2021

Age: 34
Hometown: Paris
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Montpellier Business School
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry):
I am a former international rugby player, having played 12 years as a professional for clubs including Montpellier, Bath, Brive, and Biarritz. I played in a world rugby cup and collected several caps for the 7’s French team. I then made a big life change and moved into the finance sector. For the last three years, I have been working as an analyst in mergers and acquisitions with KPMG where I hold the position of Head of Sports advisory.

Why business school? Why now?
In my last role, I worked with decision-makers, CEOs, funds, politics in finance and strategy projects. It is fundamental to master all the skills of finance and investment in order to be as efficient as possible for advising clients and executing the right investments.

Why HEC Paris? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
HEC Paris is the best business school in Europe for studying finance and its MBA program is one of the best in the world. The academics here are outstanding and speak for themselves.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
The class is full of prominent talents, but I hope to bring my humble contribution to it. High-level sport was a rewarding and a priceless journey. What I gained in terms of soft skills and human relationships, always with a focus on excellence and winning, can be shared with the class and hopefully will help everybody to understand some keys to high-level performance.

I also set up a tech and sport start-up called Fiters, which is located at Station F, the world’s largest incubator. This entrepreneurship experience should help, especially when we are learning about entrepreneurship and strategy.

Finally, as Head of Sports Advisory at KPMG, I have a clear vision of the sport, entertainment, and media sector. This sector is at the genesis of its development and will explode during the following years.

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
At my first finance interview, a top executive said, “No athlete ever made it in M&A in France, and you will be no exception.” Three years later, I’m still in this industry. During my career, I have always received this kind of feedback, but I turned it into motivation.

Post-MBA career interests?
My game plan is pretty clear. I want to stay in the financial investment world. I plan to use both my connections and the knowledge I will obtain in the program in order to help my future company to succeed. Sport, media, entertainment, and digital are all related and will generate a world full of opportunities in the forthcoming years.

Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would definitely retake the English courses. I enjoyed working with my teachers and improving my language skills that reinforce my confidence and my efficiency in my day-to-day business tasks.

–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would plan my application process more in advance in order to save time.

–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have skipped the GMAT. I would like to thank the professional GMAT masters who helped me study.

What is your initial impression of HEC Paris’s students/culture/community?
Impressive! I’m surrounded by people who all have amazing life stories and great achievements for such a young age. The HEC Paris community feels like a family, which is founded upon benevolence, intelligence, and excellence. Excellence is everywhere and the students embody it. I will be better at the end of this program.

One thing you have learned about HEC Paris that has surprised you?
HEC Paris is in the top three schools that have the most CEOs in the top 500 firms in the world.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m afraid I won’t have enough time to take advantage of all the opportunities offered in the program. There are plenty of interesting courses and seminars, and international exchanges but I’ll have to pick and choose.

Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about the courses because the professors are outstanding. I can’t wait to learn new things, as well as strengthen the skills and knowledge I already acquired.