The countdown to our inaugural One-year MBA class is officially underway! We are excited to welcome our first ever cohort in August 2025, who will be a part of history here at LBS.
Developed by our very own LBS faculty, our new One-year MBA programme will sit alongside our 15-21-month MBA and has been designed for candidates who already have a generalist business masters and are now ready to take the next big step in their careers.
Many of our incoming students will either be looking to pivot into a new (but familiar) industry or may be looking to accelerate within their current role and sector. Regardless of the career transition they are looking for, what is truly exciting about the new programme will be the range of backgrounds, experiences and insights each student will bring. With professionals joining us across a range of industries, job roles and nationalities we are looking forward to the impact and value they will bring to classroom discussions.
To mark the launch of our first ever One-year MBA cohort we caught up with two incoming students to hear about their career journeys so far, why they chose the programme and what they are most looking forward to!
Katrina Schumacher – From Financial Services to Luxury Retail Strategy
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Katrina, and I am originally from Canada, however, I have been working at American Express in London for nearly six years. Currently, I am the Content Delivery Lead for EMEA, where I lead engineering teams in creating premium web experiences for cardmembers.
What made you choose the One-year MBA?
I chose the One-year MBA, as I already have a background in management, and I see this MBA as the perfect next step to elevate my career. The One-year MBA format aligns with my goals and lifestyle — and choosing LBS was easy after such a fantastic admissions experience. Plus, I already live in London and love it here!
What are you most excited about?
I am most excited to get into the programme, meet new people and to be a student again. This will be a great opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds, who bring a range of work and life experiences, which will be beneficial to me.
What are your goals post MBA?
I’m looking to transition into luxury retail strategy — and I believe LBS will give me the tools, network, and confidence to make that shift
What advice would you give someone considering the One-year MBA programme at LBS?
I would say to go for it! It is a great way to elevate your career, learn new things and to expand your international network. You don’t get too many chances to do that.
Marc Garcia – From Deloitte to LBS
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Marc, and I am originally from Barcelona, Spain. I started my career with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Early on, I realised I wanted to apply my technical skills more broadly, so I pursued a Masters in Management (MiM) at IESE, then joined Monitor Deloitte’s M&A Strategy team. For the past three years, I have worked across the M&A lifecycle — from due diligence to post-deal integration and performance improvement.
Why the One-year MBA at LBS?
Even though I have already completed a MiM, I felt ready for a more advanced, transformative experience. The One-year MBA is the perfect fit — it allows me to build on my foundation and learn from a cohort of experienced professionals. Also, being part of the inaugural class is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am excited to help shape the future of this programme.
What are you most excited about?
This will be a life-changing year. I am looking forward to deepening my finance expertise, sharpening my leadership skills, and immersing myself in LBS’s global community. When I visited campus, I met students from incredibly diverse backgrounds — like Tom, a former military officer preparing for a Global Experience in Johannesburg. That moment really crystallised the kind of rich, international environment LBS fosters.
What are your career goals post-MBA?
I have received full sponsorship from Monitor Deloitte, and I will return there after graduation. My goal is to grow into a managerial role, mentor junior colleagues, and continue delivering high-impact projects. Long term, I aspire to become a Project Manager, leading diverse teams across global M&A engagements.
What advice would you give to future applicants?
Even before starting, the energy and ambition of the LBS community have shown me that this will be a transformational and lifelong experience.
Looking ahead
This is the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable journey for our inaugural cohort.
Over the next 12 months, we will be following the Class of 2026 as they take on the academic challenges, career-defining opportunities, and global experiences that will shape their future and set the tone for the One-year MBA programme at LBS.