Behind The Magic Of Tattoo 2025: Shaping The Soul Of London Business School

When I reflect on my MBA journey at London Business School, what stands out isn’t a single class or lecture — it’s the moments of collective joy, pride, and connection we created outside the classroom.

In every MBA cohort, there exists a rhythm — an invisible pulse that binds individuals from disparate cultures, industries, and ambitions into a single, cohesive experience. At London Business School, that pulse is the Student Association. And as Vice President of this body, I’ve had the unique privilege — and challenge — of orchestrating that rhythm for over 2,000 students.

From social integration to strategic advocacy, we are the connective tissue between the student body and the institution’s leadership — a dynamic interface between passion and process.

TATTOO: A MANIFESTATION OF LBS’s GLOBAL DNA

I’ve had the extraordinary opportunity to shape and lead the very events that make LBS more than just a school — events that foster deep belonging, cultural pride, and lifelong friendships. At the center of this experience is Tattoo, the largest and most iconic celebration on the LBS calendar — and arguably, the soul of the student community. Nowhere is this leadership more visible — or more tested — than in the planning and execution of Tattoo, LBS’s flagship cultural extravaganza and the largest event on campus.

Tattoo isn’t just a party — it’s a six-month cultural production that culminates in the largest student event on campus, drawing over 1,150 attendees, and uniting 40+ cultural clubs. This year, I had the privilege of working alongside a 40-member executive team across five cross-functional pillars — Marketing, Entertainment, F&B, Finance, and Operations — as we collectively brought to life a show-stopping celebration that took over six months to plan and execute.

Think of it as an MBA-scale carnival — a fusion of cultural performances, global cuisine, live music, and late-night revelry. From a Battle of the Bands and talent showcases, to silent discos, arcade games, a ball pit, and even mini golf, every detail is curated to create magic. The evening culminates in a coach-led mystery journey to an exclusive afterparty location — a final act that solidifies the night’s unforgettable nature

BEYOND TATTOO: THE BROADER CANVAS OF IMPACT

Together with a 55-member executive team, we worked toward a shared vision: building a more inclusive, visible, and engaged student community — across both the London and Dubai campuses, where we collectively launched the first-ever SA Chapter this year.

Some of my favorite roles?

• 🧠 Chair of TEDx London Business School — the school’s largest student-led thought-leadership platform
• 🍷 Sundowner Chief — conceptualized and executed fortnightly themed socials (e.g. Shady Business, Diwali Night, Traffic Signal) with record-breaking attendance of 800+ students
• 🎓 Graduation Ball Lead — orchestrating a 700-person gala at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, from decor to linen to vendor selections
• 🌍 DisOrientation Trek Planner — coordinating a post-MBA adventure to Albania for 300 students
• 📣 First-Year SA Marketing Officer, Academic Lead, and Healthcare Conference Chair — where I drove academic advocacy and industry engagement

At the core of all this work has been a desire to make LBS more inclusive, transparent, and engaging. From leading communications reforms and streamlining club operations to improving engagement between students and SA leadership, I’ve focused on building systems that will continue to serve the community long after I graduate.

But perhaps the most fulfilling part of my role lies in leading a team of passionate student leaders. Mentoring, empowering, and trusting them to take ownership has been a masterclass in leadership — one that no case study or lecture can replicate.
The common thread? Community. These events aren’t just calendar entries; they are emotional anchors. They shape how students feel about LBS — not just intellectually, but personally.

LEADERSHIP ISN’T ALWAYS GLAMOROUS. BUT IT’S ALWAYS WORTH IT

People see the Instagram posts and the afterparty — but not the 2 a.m. spreadsheets, the stress of managing 20 food vendors, or the emotional labor of ensuring every student feels seen. The truth? Leadership is rarely about the spotlight. It’s about ensuring others can shine in it.

What most attendees never see, however, is the six-month-long operational marathon behind it. What follows is a journey that combines strategic project management with creative innovation. We engage with senior school leaders, vendors, and student stakeholders, navigating everything from budget approvals and risk assessments to talent curation and experience design.

The emotional crescendo came not just with the final light show — but in the moments before it: the frantic radio calls, last-minute fixes, and seeing 1,150 people dancing together under the stars. That is leadership: invisible, shared, and powerful.

I’ve been fortunate to lead some of the most driven, creative, and diverse peers I’ve ever met. Our work was powered not by hierarchy, but by shared ownership and mutual respect — lessons I’ll carry with me well into my post-MBA career. Tattoo 2025 wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless energy, creativity, and commitment of an extraordinary team. To the brilliant Tattoo Executive Committee — thank you for dreaming big, showing up relentlessly, and turning chaos into magic.

A LEGACY OF COMMUNITY

As an LBS Annual Fund Scholar, I’ve always felt a responsibility to give back. And through these initiatives — from signature events like Tattoo to structural reforms in SA operations — I hope I’ve contributed to a stronger, more connected LBS.

As I prepare to graduate, I leave with more than just an MBA. I leave with the lived experience of building culture, creating belonging, and driving impact — not from a boardroom, but from the backstage of a community that thrives because people care enough to show up, time and again.

When the lights dimmed on Tattoo 2025 and the buses left for the afterparty, I stood at the back of the quad and took it all in — the laughter, the lights, the friendships forged in motion. That’s when I realized: this is what leadership looks like. Not the applause, but the architecture of community behind it.

And in that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

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