By Anna Autti, MBA1Y2026
If I had to describe my career before London Business School, I’d call it a bit of a checkered past, but with a very clear thread running through. I spent over a decade moving between private equity, M&A, and the law, which gave me a front-row seat to how capital, strategy, and people come together to build companies.
After taking time to focus on my children, I realised that the pace of change in the world keeps accelerating. And I needed to catch up! The One-Year MBA programme at LBS seemed like a perfect fit for me to fully immerse myself in the rapidly changing business world as I had completed two master’s degrees at the University of Bristol already. I chose the LBS One-Year MBA because it offered an intense, global, and highly networked environment to upskill myself in one of the most exciting cities in the world, London. And let me tell you, this has been one of the best decisions of my life.
Clubs at LBS: More Than Just Extracurriculars
Although I’d researched the clubs at LBS during my application process, you only truly understand their impact once you’re on campus. Academics are, of course, a central part of the LBS experience, but so, too, are the clubs. They shape your network, expose you to new industries, and offer hands-on leadership opportunities that are just as important as what happens in the classroom. Through participating in the club activities, you can profit from LBS’s enormous and wonderfully diverse community of students and alumni with all kinds of interests and aspirations. Clubs help you find your people, those who share similar goals or get excited by the same topics.
With more than 80 active clubs and societies, there is something for everyone. The clubs cover everything from professional networks (like Consulting, Tech & Media, Private Equity & Venture Capital, Entrepreneurship) to regional communities (such as the Africa, Latin America, or Nordic Clubs) and social and affinity groups (Women in Business, Out in Business, Sports Clubs, and many more). They organise treks, speaker events, workshops, and social gatherings across London and the world. I’ve already participated in the Entrepreneurship in Private Equity trek as well as the London start-up trek, where we were able to visit Wayve, Synthesia, Yonder, Creandum and Entrepreneurs First. My experience of clubs has also afforded me the chance to hear from inspiring leaders from around the world; one of the highlights was hearing Steve Blank a founding member of E.piphany, share his experience about life as an entrepreneur. I am also looking forward to the Tech Trek as well before the end of the year, where we will be heading to New York.
Connecting Clubs to Career Goals
My post-LBS goal is to move toward technology. The clubs I’ve chosen are helping me bridge my investment experience with an entrepreneurial and digital focus. They’ve already given me the chance to meet founders and investors who are shaping the future of business and how we live our lives, and who inspire me to think differently about what’s next for me. Through my work in private equity, I always loved collaborating with entrepreneurs as their passion and conviction are contagious. At LBS, I wanted to tap into that world more directly, so I joined the Entrepreneurship Club, where I now serve as Senior Vice President in the University Relations pillar. In my role, I help bring together aspiring founders from LBS and other top universities such as Cambridge, UCL, and Imperial to collaborate, pitch, and build connections across campuses. I’m also part of the Private Equity & Venture Capital Club as a junior Ex-Co member, helping organise the London VC trek. As an Ex-co member, you can take charge of a senior role within the club – again a great way to develop professional skills and make a lasting impact. For me, getting stuck into this part of the MBA experience has given me the chance to meet leading investors and see first-hand how the venture ecosystem operates in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Tips for Future One-Year MBA Students
- Manage your time carefully. The One-Year MBA moves very fast, especially during the first months. Balance academics, recruiting, and club activities by prioritising what matters most to you.
- Be intentional. There are so many clubs and events that it can feel overwhelming. Choose the ones that truly align with your interests and long-term goals. After all, you want to make the most of your year at LBS!
- Explore boldly. Clubs are a great way to immerse yourself in the world that excites you. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to try new things and who knows, you might discover a new path you hadn’t thought of exploring.
- Put yourself out there. Apply for Ex-Co roles even if you’ve never done something similar. I had never hosted an event before LBS, and whilst it was daunting at first, it was incredibly rewarding.
- Invest in relationships. The real value of clubs isn’t just the events, but the people. Make time for genuine conversations and collaborations.
Final Thought
Even though it’s still the beginning of my journey at LBS, it’s hard to imagine my time at LBS without the clubs. Both as an Ex-Co member and a participant, they’ve turned the programme into something far bigger than a degree, creating an environment where learning happens beyond the classroom.
Through them, I’ve been able to become part of an ecosystem that has helped me connect my past in private equity, M&A and the law to my future in tech and, who knows, maybe even entrepreneurship!