Mahlet Yared

London Business School

“Policy leader turned aspiring entrepreneur.” 

Hometown: London, UK

Fun Fact About Yourself: A role working for the UK Foreign Office, landed me in the same room as world leaders including Donald Trump and Nahindra Modi!

Undergraduate School and Major:  University of Manchester, UK; Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: PUBLIC (Boutique Consultancy) – Senior Manager

What makes London such a great place to earn an MBA degree? I am biased (I am a proud Londoner), but I truly believe it is the greatest city in the world. I have lived on four continents and travelled the world for work and pleasure. In my view London, is unmatched in its vibrancy. A truly international city with international prospects (and the food and social life to match it)!

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of London Business School’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?  LBS’ mission statement is ‘to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world’. I love the way in which social impact is integrated into the curriculum and the student experience.

I was impressed to see that LBS regularly competes and wins at global competitions such as the Turner MIINT competition against other elite MBA programs. I hope to represent LBS in such competitions this year.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at London Business School? The beauty of business school is the ability to try brand new things and experiences. Two weeks in, I came across the LBS Sailing Club and it piqued my interest. I would love to get involved and learn how to sail. Plus, they arrange incredible regattas in the Mediterranean and beyond which is bonus!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I am proud of the six-year career in public service I had before business school. It taught me how to communicate, strategize and negotiate – all important skills in business. Being at the center of UK and international global events was a definite career highlight and one that I was grateful for!

I’m also really proud to have been chosen as this year’s recipient of the SARI Foundation Trust Scholarship, a merit scholarship which is awarded to only one LBS MBA student annually.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a significant contribution to the Class of 2026? Coming from a public policy background, pursuing an MBA was not an obvious route. Until recently, I had only met a handful of people who had done so! To the LBS class of 2026, I will bring unique and additive perspectives, from how to work effectively with governments to how to conduct high stakes negotiations, while learning from the varied business experiences of esteemed classmates.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into London Business School’s MBA program? In my experience, the admissions team are incredibly thoughtful and considerate. They really care that a candidate is understood and fairly considered for the program. Therefore, put forward an authentic and compelling application which highlights the best you have to offer. My top tips would be: Think about what it is about LBS that specifically resonates with you and your goals and feature this in your essay answers. I also suggest using the optional essay to explain your personal motivations and any experiences which make you unique.

DON’T MISS: MEET LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2026