Mark Dalton

The year 2000 … 15 years ago. That’s when I decided I was going to take a year out of my Toronto-based investment banking career to move to London and study for my Masters in Finance. 10 months away, then back to Canada to continue down the same path I was already on. Well, that was the plan, anyway.

Fast forward to 2016. I’m still in London, having graduated from the MiF in 2001, spent 11 years working for UBS (mostly in London, but also a bit in New York), and now four years into running my own firm, which has grown to be the leader in providing independent calculation agency services in Europe, and employs 4 ex-bankers full-time. Fortunately plans can change!

That year at LBS was without a doubt the most eye-opening of my life. Spending every day, day in and day out, with my classmates from around the world, studying and socialising together, hunting for jobs together, sharing our life experiences and different perspectives, and ultimately helping each other to better understand the world around us through those friendships. Oh and of course, we also learned a lot about finance and business from world-class professors!

Since graduating I have continued my involvement with the School, as a recruiter, a speaker, a donor, and more recently as a member of the International Alumni Council. I’m often asked by classmates and alumni why I choose to donate my time and money to the school. The simple answer is that it was a life-changing for me, and I want to contribute to it being the same for other people. Without LBS I wouldn’t have had the reason to leave Canada, or the courage to settle in London. Without LBS I wouldn’t have learned the things I needed to have a successful career in Europe. Without LBS I wouldn’t have had the skills and courage to set up my own business when I left UBS.

Every time I meet current students, and especially the scholarship recipients, I am impressed with the quality of people the school is continuing to bring in to study, but I am also captivated by their stories . . . so many of the scholars wouldn’t have come to LBS without their scholarships . . . they didn’t have the money needed to enter the programme, and the scholarship made all the difference. These scholars bring those important diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to share with their classmates - without them the School would be a poorer place.

I’m proud to support LBS and its first ever comprehensive fundraising Campaign, and thrilled with the growth and success it is achieving under its current leadership team. I would encourage all of you to come back onto campus, meet the current student body, and find ways to get involved as alumni. Not only will you be helping the current crop of students, but you will find your time and energies are keenly rewarded with new relationships and experiences you would otherwise miss.

Find out more about the School's Campaign to raise £100m

Email iac@london.edu to find out more about the International Alumni Council