Jack Davies

IMD Business School

“Reflective and excited about the role of investment and entrepreneurship in driving the sustainability transition.”

Hometown: London, UK

Fun Fact About Yourself: At a recent wedding, I was asked to give the best man’s speech with no prior warning whatsoever! Thankfully, with all the public speaking practice we have gotten at IMD, it went well despite the obvious stress.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Cambridge, UK, Geography

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Grosvenor Food & AgTech, Investment Manager

What has been the best part of being in a small class with this group of classmates? Without a doubt, it has been the opportunity to get to know almost all my classmates. Breaking down boundaries and building a strong rapport as a class has led to greater openness with each other and a willingness to share insights, which is hugely valuable.

Aside from classmates, what part of IMD’s MBA programming led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One of the important aspects of the program was the focus on personal development and leadership. Since starting the program, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a leadership coach and a psychoanalyst to build better self-awareness and develop my leadership style. It has been a huge privilege.

IMD is known for its academic rigor. What is one strategy you used that would help a future IMD MBA better adapt to the workload early on? Since many assignments are accomplished in groups, it is worth investing time early in getting to know your teammates and understanding each other’s working style. This helps to avoid surprises down the line.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Before the MBA, I worked at a family office in the UK investing in innovative companies and reshaping the food and agriculture industries for the better. There were many great experiences, but one that comes to mind was supporting a portfolio company that we developed internally to raise over $30M from outside investors.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at IMD so far: Early in the program, I had the opportunity to work with a Swiss start-up as part of a small team of MBAs during a six-week project. My team was allocated to a company solving a challenging sustainability issue. Not only did the project go well and make a positive impact on the company, but we were able to build strong bonds with the start-up founders.

Where is your favorite hang-out in Lausanne? Why do you (and your classmates) gravitate there? It is tough to find a more fun spot than Lacustre, a lakeside bar near the school. It promises amazing views and, as it gets late, good music.

What has been your best memory at IMD thus far? There have been many great experiences, from our mountain expedition to various experiential classes, and beyond. In the classroom, my favorite memories have been listening to impressive guest speakers and participating in the MBA Leadership Labs. Outside the classroom, the highlights have been hiking and skiing with the friends I made on the program.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I hope to return to an investment role focused on driving the sustainability transition. This would allow me to make use of the learnings I’ve gained at IMD while building on my early professional experience in venture capital.

DON’T MISS: MEET IMD BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2024