Standing out from the crowd in the competitive world of corporate finance
Alex Concannon had a clear goal of where he wanted to take his career. At the time he applied to Bayes Business School he had been working in Dublin as a Management Consultant with KPMG.
“I was looking for more of a challenge and I realised that as an industry, investment banking offers great opportunities for personal development. With London being the European capital of finance, the next step was to research the top UK business schools. Bayes was one of the institutions that came up, so I decided to apply.”
“Some people commit to a master’s to explore the type of career they may be interested in. I viewed the MSc as means of breaking into investment banking, and I felt that the MSc Corporate Finance was well placed to help me achieve that.”
The MSc Corporate Finance is one of Bayes’ most popular postgraduate degrees. It offers a wide-ranging, practical and up-to-date programme, which explores current issues in corporate finance, including company valuations, IPOs, Mergers & Acquisitions, as well as private equity and venture capital. It equips graduates like Alex, with the skills and knowledge needed to forge a successful career in the finance, consultancy or corporate sectors.
Graduating with a Distinction in 2023, the course helped Alex achieve that original goal. He is currently an Investment Banking Analyst for Stout, a global investment bank and advisory firm headquartered in Chicago. Alex is based in their London office, which opened within the last 10 years.
“I’m a first-year analyst, covering a range of industries. Valuation, financial modelling, and market research are just some of the roles I perform on a day-to-day basis. Essentially, I help pull together the financial information and marketing materials that a company needs to go to market.”
Scholarship support
Alex received a £10,000 scholarship to support his studies at Bayes, courtesy of the Stelios Philanthropic Organisation.
“The award has been hugely beneficial. London is an expensive place, and the scholarship definitely eased the burden of high-cost living. It also helped my application stand out in the recruitment process. Investment Banking is ultra-competitive, and the scholarship impressed potential employers, who would talk about it during interviews.”
“The scholarship gives you distinction and helps you stand out in a crowded job market.”
“The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation hosts networking events and drinks for new scholars, which have been great opportunities to meet people. They were also present at my graduation, and it was brilliant to have that extra level of support.”
Alex has useful advice for anyone thinking of applying for a Stelios Scholarship:
“There are multiple stages including essays and interviews, so do your research and due diligence for every step of the process. Be persistent and don’t give up. I think that also applies to life in general –never quit. Just by staying in the game, other people will inevitably fall away.”
“Persistence is just as important as intelligence or talent.”
Learning which translates to the workplace
The MSc’s curriculum gives students a deep insight into a broad range of areas relating to corporate finance, with learning that can be applied directly to the real world.
One module which made a particular impact on Alex was Financial Statement Analysis, taught by Visiting Professor Terry Thornton.
“Terry’s module enhanced my understanding of financial statements, which are key in assessing the financial health of a company. Moreover, the classes helped develop my financial intuition, something which I use in my role daily.”
Alex also worked on multiple group projects.
“They are a staple of the course and I found them to be a nice change of pace from the exams. In one project we decided as a team what asset mix of an investment portfolio would perform best in a post-Covid economic environment. As someone who is naturally interested in M&A and capital raising, the exposure to public markets was refreshing.”
A transformative London experience
Alex relocated from Ireland to London in September 2022 - an experience he has relished.
“It’s been an incredible journey, and London is a brilliant city for any young person. I’ve made great friends from all over the world, including from Italy, Belgium, Germany and India. Forming connections with all kinds of people has been incredibly rewarding.”
“I have fond memories of my time at Bayes, but the highlights have been the little things that stem from forming a great group of friends. Whether that’s having a drink in the Masque Haunt after lectures or earning ‘regular’ status with the food market vendors – these are the things I’ll remember most fondly.”
A clear and focused trajectory
Now firmly embedded in London and the world of investment banking, Alex is excited about what the future holds.
“I’ve come to enjoy the high-pressure environment. While demanding at times, I am convinced that this career offers a kind of learning that can’t be found elsewhere, and for me, that offers a great sense of fulfilment. I may go back to Ireland eventually, but for the foreseeable future, London is home.”
For anyone thinking of studying at Bayes, Alex offers this guidance:
“A postgraduate course is a big financial commitment, so it’s important to understand what you want to achieve. Then, do your research - course selection is very important – and tailor your choice to what you want to achieve afterwards.”
Looking back on his time at Bayes, Alex knows the experience has had a profound impact on him:
“Moving to a new city is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is a pursuit of a career. The experience has taught me much about myself and I am thankful to my parents and the Stelios Foundation for giving me an opportunity that not all have.”