By Rodrigo Cid CFA, MiFFT2026
Taking a Leap
Every London Business School student has their own story. Mine began in Santiago de Chile and involved a late but determined decision. I applied to the Masters in Finance (MiF) during Round 4, convincing myself not to wait another year. Having recently completed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Programme, I wanted to expand my career in global capital markets, moving from a regional perspective to a truly international one.
Receiving my offer from London Business School was an unforgettable moment, well before the deadline and totally unexpected. Yet soon came the question many international students face: how do I make this possible in terms of funding? That is how this search for funding led me to the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme (MHSS), a programme that blends education, global finance and civic purpose.
Discovering Mansion House
Mansion House is the 18th-century residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, a role that for centuries has represented the link between commerce, finance and civic service. The Mansion House Scholarship Scheme, created in the late 1990s by a former Lord Mayor, supports exceptional postgraduate students from around the world to study in the UK and to build enduring ties with the City’s financial community.
The selection process is said to be competitive and deeply reflective. In my case, there was no interview, but instead I had to express who I am, my principles, ambitions and the impact I hope to create through a series of detailed essays. Writing them required genuine introspection about what success means to me, the kind of professional I want to become and how I plan to contribute to society in achieving it.
Each year, only a small group of scholars is chosen, with no two representatives from the same country. Being selected as the scholar representing Chile was therefore not only an honour but also a powerful reminder of the international reach and responsibility that come with the role. It confirmed that authenticity and purpose can open doors, especially to places as symbolic as Mansion House.
Throughout the entire process and since my arrival in London, Nicholas Westgarth, Secretary of the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme, has been an exceptional point of contact. He managed every aspect of the programme with great care and enthusiasm, and he even organised a warm, informal gathering for all the scholars soon after our arrival, making it a wonderful opportunity to meet one another and begin forming connections within this unique experience.
As a scholar, I have also been given the privilege to participate for a year in the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (WCIB), one of the City’s modern livery companies. This unique opportunity allows us to engage with finance professionals, civic leaders and fellow scholars, further strengthening the bridge between academia and the financial community.
Recently, the City celebrated the installation of Dame Susan Langley, who became the new Lady Mayor of the City of London in November 2025 for a one-year term. She is the 697th Lord Mayor, the third woman to hold the office and the first to be styled “Lady Mayor”. This event continues one of the oldest and most symbolic civic traditions in London. The transition from one Lord Mayor to the next is a centuries-old ceremony that reflects the City’s continuity, public service and its deep connection between civic life and the financial industry.
A Night to Remember
One of the defining moments of this journey was attending the City Regulators’ Dinner at Mansion House in October 2025, hosted by The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King DL, alongside Sheriffs Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney and Keith Bottomley CC.
The event brought together senior leaders from the UK’s financial and regulatory community in an extraordinary setting at the heart of the City. I had the privilege of sharing the evening with figures such as Lucy Rigby KC MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and other distinguished guests from across the financial, regulatory and civic landscape.
That evening, held in the Egyptian Room of the Mansion House building, was a reminder that this programme is much more than financial support. It is a living community built on trust, curiosity and shared purpose. Beyond the professional exposure, it has given me the chance to form meaningful friendships and to feel part of a global network united by common values for a better society throughout the financial industry.
Connecting with the City and Beyond
Through the scholarship, I have come to see the City of London not only as the financial hub it is but as a civic ecosystem where tradition and innovation are able to coexist. Invitations from the Fishmongers’ Livery Company, one of the City’s ancient guilds and a supporter of the scholarship, have deepened my appreciation for how history and collaboration continue to shape global finance.
At the same time, studying at London Business School has been an equally transformative experience. The Masters in Finance Full-time programme brings together professionals who have already worked across the financial industry. The result is a classroom that feels alive with ideas, where people from investment banking, asset management, consulting, fintech, the public sector and others can share their stories, experiences and ambitions. This diversity of backgrounds enriches every class discussion and project, creating an environment that is both intellectually challenging and uniquely collaborative.
That same international spirit thrives daily at LBS, where we share a commitment to building a more integrated and responsible global capital market.
Looking Ahead
In the three months that I have been on this journey, becoming part of the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme has given me far more than the means to pursue my studies; it has given me perspective. It has shown me that every single leadership journey in finance begins with connection: between countries, between generations and between ideas.
As I continue my journey at LBS, I carry the lessons, friendships and experiences that this programme has made possible. Representing Chile and London Business School within such a remarkable network is not only a privilege, but also a reminder that opportunity and purpose can come together and London is the perfect place for it to happen.
If you’re considering the MiF programme and want to discuss what the first few months look like, I’m happy to chat: rodrigoc.mifft2026@london.edu.