Max Taylor, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 27
Hometown: Nottingham, UK
Undergraduate Institution and Major: SOAS, University of London, UK; Politics and International Relations
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Associate, Mansfield Advisors, 4 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
My decision came from a rather personal epiphany. During the first COVID lockdown, my brother and his wife announced they were pregnant, and that really altered my perspective of myself. I spent some lockdown days thinking at length about my life through the eyes of my (now three-year old!) nephew. How could I fulfil my potential and be the best role model uncle I could to him? I wanted to build the best business career I could, so knew I had to build the best network, study the fundamentals, and do some personal development too. To that end, all roads led to an LBS MBA – it was the best credential I could achieve that would put me on the best career trajectory in business.
Why did you choose LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Once you get a feeling that you fit in somewhere, it’s quite hard to shake it. I started looking at schools and couldn’t help but feel like LBS had everything I wanted: the high-quality teaching, the truly international student community, the unrivalled access to the business community in London and beyond. I had also worked with some LBS alumni and always got on well with them, and the more alumni I met, the more I realised that none of this was a coincidence. LBS students have a truly global mindset, are curious, driven, but don’t take themselves too seriously. Even when visiting the campus, there was a sense of “it just feels right for me” that I couldn’t find at any other school.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I have a particular affinity for bringing people together around a common goal. I’m a people person, can intuitively understand people’s strengths, and know how to bring different perspectives together well. This comes from a combination of years of experience of running a DEI organisation and living in a few different countries with diverse cultures throughout my life.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m a classically trained pianist, but I love to take pop songs and cover them. Think brat summer but on the piano. My mother does not understand this.
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting, with a health and consumer focus.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I really enjoyed my interview with an LBS alum. I was understandably nervous – it’s not every day you talk through your life story, career goals, strengths, and weaknesses with a total stranger. But Sherry, the alumna I spoke to, was thoughtful and helpful throughout. She wasn’t there to grill me, she was there to find the best in me. It was also an opportunity to meet another LBS alum and find out what their LBS MBA highlights were, their best memories, and favourite classes. Shoutout to Sherry!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wouldn’t put so much pressure on myself to meet the application deadlines. I ended up missing the application deadline for the 2025 class and felt pretty down about it. Deadline day was circled in my calendar; it came and it went. But the following day, I got an email to say that I had been selected as part of the 101 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Trailblazers by a major publication. If I had actually met the 2025 deadline, I would have never been able to incorporate that achievement into my application. Instead, it became a key part of my 2026 application.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
GMAT! Raisins and Pret coffee.
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
Electric. The power of putting 400+ of the best and brightest MBA candidates in a room together is palpable. Add in all the excitement we feel that we’re spending the next two years together, then add in a big ceremonious welcome thrown by the School, and it’s really just electric.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
The class is large, but many parts still feel personalised to you. There’s a lot of individual and tailored support for your desired career path. Just a few weeks in, I had a one-to-one executive coaching session on leadership skills with a former executive at Coca-Cola, and really gained a lot from it. I don’t think I would have had that opportunity anywhere else in London.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Different people are fresh to different things, including me. I’m about to start the Finance and Accounting course, and I’ll be sitting next to course mates who work in those areas. I’ll probably ask a stupid question or two at some point, but that’s ultimately what a classroom is for.
What is one thing you are most excited about in the first year of your London Business School experience?
Tough one – the volume of opportunity is enormous at LBS. Above all, I’ve made some great friends already and I’m really looking forward to going on treks with them.
