By Bowen Yin, MIFPT2026
One of the hidden gems that fewer people talk about is how much new learning and growth you can gain from being part of student clubs.
In my first year as a part-time MiF student, I became actively involved in both the Investment Management Club (IMC) and the China Club, serving as a Senior ExCo member and helping to organise events, workshops, and conferences. As a proprietary trader focused on equity index futures, I’m deeply interested in public markets and the macroeconomic environment. At the same time, I’ve always been passionate about bridging understanding between China and the rest of the world. So, these two clubs were a perfect fit for me.
After the first two months of joining the School, I noticed that macro investing and trading seemed a bit niche at LBS. Besides a few electives, there didn’t seem to be many events around those topics. However, I really wanted to learn more about the industry and how practitioners make their trading and investment decisions.
By leading the speaker series, I hosted this year’s first Macro Hedge Fund event, featuring a former SPX Capital strategist. He introduced the global macro hedge fund industry to the school community and shared his approach and insights into identifying macro trading opportunities. Later in the year, we also welcomed professionals from Maven Securities and Betteredge Capital, who provided even more macro investment cases across different types of institutions.
Through these events, I learned about different approaches and the skills required to become a macro trader or investment analyst. I also discovered a group of students with similar interests and goals and at the same time expanded my professional network in London.
If you’re looking to challenge yourself further and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, do get involved. Don’t just attend events, take part in creating them. If you can’t find something that matches your unique curiosity, start your own. At LBS, with such a diverse and dynamic community, if you’re passionate about something, chances are others are too.
By stepping up, you not only deepen your own learning and expand your network, but you also develop leadership skills and contribute to the broader student experience.
Another highlight of my year was leading the partnerships and sponsorships for the 14th LBS China Business Forum. This year’s theme centred around geopolitical uncertainty and AI; two topics that are shaping the future of global business.
Organising the event gave me the opportunity to work closely with industry leaders, academic experts, and fellow students. It was intense, inspiring, and incredibly fulfilling.
My favourite part of the forum was the Macro Panel, featuring Dr. Xuxin Mao (Head of Research at Bank of China London) and Athanasios Vamvakidis (Global Head of G10 FX Strategy at Bank of America). The discussion was rich with insights for anyone trying to make sense of today’s global landscape. A few key takeaways stuck with me:
- China’s Next Chapter: The country is gradually shifting from an export-driven growth model to one powered by domestic demand, innovation, and services. It’s a complex transition, but also an exciting one with new opportunities for global collaboration.
- Trade Fragmentation is Real: Tariffs, industrial policies, and geopolitical shifts are forcing companies to rethink supply chains and cross-border investments. Macro isn’t just background noise anymore. it’s a strategic concern.
- Uncertainty is the New Constant: Traditional forecasting has its limits. What matters now is the ability to think in scenarios, stay agile, and plan for uncertainty.
All of this made me reflect on a broader truth: in today’s world, especially with the rapid advancement of AI, nothing stands still. We don’t need to fear change, but we do need to stay curious, adaptable, and proactive. The best thing you can do is understand what excites you and then explore it deeply using the resources around you.
That’s exactly what LBS has allowed me to do. My journey so far has been about more than just learning and networking. It’s been about stepping up, contributing to something bigger, and growing through experience.
If you’re thinking about joining the LBS community, I encourage you to go beyond just showing up. Get involved. Take initiative. If something you’re passionate about doesn’t exist yet, create it.