Ken Lee

London Business School

“Ex-consultant turned strategist from Facebook and Alibaba, with a strong experience in APAC Markets.”

Hometown: Singapore

Fun Fact About Yourself: I used to serve in the Singapore Air Force as a Medic (Sergeant)

Undergraduate School and Major: National University of Singapore, Majored in Physics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Facebook Inc, APAC Market Manager

What makes London such a great place to earn an MBA degree? London is a city that keeps giving. It is arguably one of the world’s cultural capitals. When I walk along Regent Street, or take a boat ride down River Thames, I am reminded of the intellectual brilliance that birthed some of the world’s greatest inventions, best restaurants, influential artists, and most powerful corporations. London is inclusive yet diverse, bold yet refined. It is an evolving city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a career in private equity, to expand your family business, or to launch a start-up, the richness of London’s business landscape will provide you with opportunities.

London Business School is one of the most culturally and professionally diverse MBA programs in the world. How do you see these global perspectives enhancing the value of your business education over the next two years? The rate of globalisation is only going to accelerate, and it is increasingly important for business leaders to be agile in their mental faculties in adapting to these global trends. For example, COVID-19 has taught us that it is possible to work remotely, and to have teams based in different locations and across multiple time zones. Hence, what it means to be an effective leader would require one to embrace these cultural differences and create value from, and not be burdened by, diverse perspectives. An effective leader should also be able to promote effective communication and collaboration, cross-culturally. I believe that London Business School is the best place to put these into practice.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of London Business School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The flexibility of the programme. The programme allows you to graduate in 15, 18, or 21 months. This allows you to tailor your LBS experience to your personal development and career goals. It provides room to accommodate global immersion experience, numerous internships, and even start-up opportunities. Programme flexibility also enhances diversity by being able to accommodate candidates with varying life goals. The richness in the diversity plays out in the classrooms where ideas are exchanged and differing perspectives are actively discussed.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at London Business School? Clubs that promote diversity and inclusion stand out to me. Two are the Partners Club as well as the First-Generation, Low or Intermediate-Income Club (FLII). As a candidate who is married, I will be participating events hosted by the Partners Club with my wife. I am also excited about being an active ally with FLII in amplifying and including the voices of First-Generation, Low, or Intermediate-Income background students in the LBS community.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As the global ‘Quarterback’ for Bullying & Harassment at Facebook, I had the opportunity to lead a diverse team of 17 talented individuals, each from a different country, to tackle cyberbullying on a global scale. Through the careful ideation and fearless execution of our strategies, we managed to add multiple layers of protection to our users, shielding them from various degrees of abuse by tailoring the approach to local language and cultural nuances. Through this experience, I’m proud to have played a part in creating a kinder and safer platform for billions of users worldwide. One thing I especially take pride in is when parents trust it enough to allow their children to build real and meaningful connections with friends.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? COVID-19 certainly blurred the boundaries between work and life outside of work. To effectively manage my team remotely, I had to shift my management style to adapt and accommodate to the realities of the new world. First and foremost, I had to learn how to show care and prioritise well-being, injecting the human factor in management from a distance. I also learnt to be more compassionate towards individual circumstances – as was the case for team members with young children, those who had to live apart from their family overseas, those who felt isolated, and those who were worried about loved ones overseas. While it was certainly challenging for everybody, I treasured the moments where we found ways to connect outside of work and recreate the human touch. For example, we took turns to share and learn each other’s hobbies – finger painting, playing music, etc. The team also sent small treats such as bubble tea and snacks to one another’s homes, strengthening personal connections and care for one another beyond the confines of work.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I believe that an MBA at LBS can help accelerate and future-proof my career. I hope to equip myself with the right knowledge and skills, and expand my global perspective. Now, I will either be looking to head back into Big Tech after graduation, or to a Venture Capital firm specialising in sustainability. However, a lot can change during such a transformative experience and who knows – I might come across other opportunities that will pique my interest!

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I only applied to London Business School.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into London Business School’s MBA program? Actively Engage.

Talk to faculty members, students, alumni; attend events hosted by the school and find out what the school has to offer that is relevant to your career goals and professional development. Develop a good understanding about what LBS has to offer – programmes, clubs, opportunities – and how it will elevate or accelerate your career goals. While the website will provide quality information about the programme, only through engaging with members of the school will one be able to experience the culture and character of the community – which is an important aspect of your MBA experience.

A large part of what drove me to apply for LBS was when I got to know some LBS students and alumni in both a personal and professional capacity. Through these interactions, I was able to gain an authentic sense of the LBS DNA, providing me with the comfort that the LBS environment would be complementary to my goals and my personality.

DON’T MISS: MEET LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2023