Max Taylor, MBA 2026, shares his views on receiving the Reaching Out MBA Fellowship (ROMBA) Scholarship and how this scholarship has impacted his masters journey so far. He further shares what it means to be part of the Out in Business Club. Please read further below.
What inspired you to pursue your studies at London Business School?
An MBA is a huge commitment. While I was considering applying, I told myself that if I were to do this, I wanted to go to a world-leading business school. With that in mind, I looked into a small number of schools and felt immediately drawn to London Business School over any other. Talking to current students, connecting with alumni, and visiting campus solidified for me that LBS was an elite institution that encourages diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurialism, all things that matter to me. Once you get the feeling you would fit in somewhere…that’s a hard feeling to shake.
What did it mean to you to be selected as a ROMBA Scholarship recipient?
It was an honour to be selected as the ROMBA Scholarship recipient for 2024-5. It was great to see that ROMBA recognised all the effort I had made over the last few years volunteering in the LGBTQ+ community and saw the potential for me to go even further with an LBS MBA.
I have long admired Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) and was fortunate enough to go to their 2022 conference in Washington DC. There, I saw the great work they do in-person and was inspired by their commitment to levelling the playing field to provide equal opportunity for all.
How has receiving this scholarship impacted your master’s journey so far?
Firstly, it got me here! I simply wouldn’t have been able to accept my MBA offer from London Business School without financial support. It’s difficult to overstate just how important that is.
Receiving a scholarship gives you both the financial benefit but also the sense of mission to give back to the community. That’s why I have been very motivated to be involved in LBS’ LGBTQ+ student club, Out in Business (OiB).
This year in OiB, I co-ran our LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives. That means I’ve led the team that have hosted a speaker series with the Head of YouTube for EMEA and the CEO of Morgan Stanley France, run an online campaign about coming out, dispatched rainbow lanyards for students, held office hours for student support, hosted an allyship trivia night with the rugby teams, and so much more.
I’m driven to do my bit to further improve the inclusion culture at LBS, and make sure we celebrate and accept students of all identities in a school with so many diverse backgrounds.
How do you see this scholarship supporting your long-term career and leadership ambitions as an LGBTQ+ professional?
ROMBA allowed me to accept the LBS MBA offer, and being here as part of the Out in Business club has enabled me to improve my business knowledge and skillset to be well-prepared for a high-trajectory business career. I hope to be the best LGBTQ+ business professional I can be, and it’s ROMBA that got me to the place where I can do that.
What advice would you give to future applicants considering applying for this scholarship?
Learn what ROMBA is all about. They do great work and have created a very strong network of bright and passionate LGBTQ+ young professionals. At their core, they’re all about doing good for the LGBTQ+ community. If you can demonstrate that you’ve had a positive impact on the community, you’ll be a strong candidate.
What does being a part of the Out in Business Club mean to you?
The Out in Business Club is my tribe. It’s cross-programme, cross-year-group, and brings together the LGBTQ+ students and allies that are committed to providing a safe space and opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. OiB has given me unique opportunities for professional and personal growth, and also friends for life from different programmes and year groups that I simply wouldn’t have otherwise met.
Can you share any initiatives or events within OiB that have been particularly impactful for you?
OiB runs an incoming students mentorship scheme in the MBA programme. After admission, the club connects you with a student in the class above you who can help answer all of your burning questions and introduce you to everything OiB does. I was connected with Ethan Musca (MBA 2025), whom I must thank for being patient with all of my silly questions back when I didn’t know much about campus life. Ethan was my first friend at LBS and has been one of my closest friends ever since. The community at OiB is really special.
Why do you think clubs like Out in Business are so important in business schools and beyond?
If we think of London Business School as a kind of factory producing future business executives for the world, I’d like to think that the factory has taught those business executives that diversity and inclusion really matter. The Out in Business club is so important because it strives to have that lasting positive impact both on the LGBTQ+ community, but also on the entire school community.
What does Pride Month mean to you personally?
Pride Month is about visibility. The LGBTQ+ community is here all year-round, but Pride Month is about highlighting the importance of continued acceptance and equal opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community.
How do you see yourself contributing to the visibility and legacy of LGBTQ+ leaders in business?
We’ll see! No matter where I end up in the business world, I want to continue volunteering for the good of the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, the LGBTQ+ community is still underemployed, paid less on average, underrepresented in management positions, the FTSE100 and on corporate boards. There’s a lot of work to do!
If you could leave one piece of advice for future LGBTQ+ students at LBS, what would it be?
You can and should be yourself from day one. LBS is a safe and accepting space for LGBTQ+ students, and you can feel at home here.
For more information about the Reaching Out MBA Fellowship scholarship, please view here.
To find out more about the Out In Business Club, please view here.