Real Humans of the London Business School MBA Class of 2025

Conrad Bannister, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2025

Age: 26
Hometown: London
Undergraduate Institution and Major:  University of Oxford – Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Consultant, BCG, ~4 years. Seconded into National Health Service England for 9 months

Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I wanted to add to my skills and life experiences. I also wanted the chance to explore careers before I became too senior at BCG to take the time out. 

Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
It was a chance to meet and learn from people from a huge range of countries and backgrounds at an institution with a fantastic academic reputation. London is also the city I want to continue to build my life and career with my partner. 

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the London Business School Class of 2025?
Consulting provided me with a range of standout experiences, but the best was seconding into NHS England (responsible for delivering healthcare across England). I helped them to write and implement a primary care strategy to recover from Covid-19 while reporting into the Prime Minister’s office. This has given me a valuable perspective on how to direct a huge and complex organization strategically through digital and people change, and get the ball rolling on national implementation.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My idea of fun is packing a tent on a bike and cycling across a country. Last summer I cycled to Barcelona from England and it was the perfect opportunity to put down my laptop and get some fresh air. 

Post-MBA career interests:
As I am still early in my MBA, I am exploring lots of options, but at the moment healthcare, government and consulting top my career interests list. 

Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would really take the time at the start of the process to think about what you bring, your interests, and your career plan. It is extremely useful to reflect on this when thinking about where the right place is to do your MBA, and as a bonus, it makes it much easier to write good essays! 

–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would not have wasted so much time worrying about what the perfect story for an application was. Instead I would have used my reflection (as above) to write the essay that was truest for me from the beginning.

–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
As a Brit I found it uncomfortable to write down my emotions and motivations for others to read. However, stories are better when you can understand the character’s motivations! 

What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
I have been extremely impressed with the people that I have met. They are warm and welcoming, and have a huge amount to share. In my six-person study group, there is an ex-professional sportsperson, a veteran, a lawyer, and people with commercial experience in digital sales and professional services. This is a group of people I am excited to tackle problems with and learn from. 

What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
I have enjoyed being in person for almost everything (because of LBS’s belief in in-person lectures), and have been surprised by how much I have enjoyed the focus here is on being an active contributor. Learning from my peers is the point of business school, and experiencing it firsthand has been even better than expected. 

What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am anxious about all the things I am missing out on right now writing this! Jokes aside, the FOMO (fear of missing out) is real, everyone is madly social and you have to prioritise.

What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to get back into team sports (football, volleyball and touch rugby are first up).