Mihir Bhandari

“I have an exceptional sense of direction and never forget roads or routes”

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Mumbai, Management and Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: JMI.AI, Financial Analyst

What makes London such a great place to earn an MBA degree?

London just has this mix of everything you need to learn and grow. As a hub for finance, consulting and the rapidly growing renewable energy sector, it provides real-time and direct access to markets, capital and decision-makers shaping the future of business. The city’s connectivity also allows me to engage with startups, industry leaders and policy influencers, which enriches my learning beyond the classroom.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Imperial Business School’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?

Imperial’s strength lies in integrating innovation, sustainability and analytical rigour within a broader scientific and entrepreneurial ecosystem. While I entered the Full-Time MBA with a strong finance background in renewable energy, the Energy Business module taught by Professor Richard Green provides a holistic, system-level understanding of the sector, covering market design, regulation, policy and the economics of the energy transition.

The STEM-designated MBA reinforces analytical depth, while the Imperial Enterprise Lab connects business thinking with cutting-edge research across engineering, climate science and technology. This proximity to innovation across the university allows me to constantly think beyond traditional business frameworks.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Imperial Business School?

Beyond leadership roles, I am most excited by opportunities to engage with innovation in practice. I serve as the Student Staff Committee (SSC) Chair, an MBA representative for the Consulting Careers Club and a member of the Student Investment Fund, where I apply classroom learning to real-world investment decisions. These roles connect me with students, faculty and external partners across Imperial’s broader ecosystem, reinforcing how innovation here is collaborative, applied and impact driven.

The Imperial MBA is known to strike a balance between core business knowledge and skills that emphasize vision, judgment, and innovation. What area do you hope to strengthen during your year of business school and why?

I am focused on strengthening my leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities. While my background is analytically strong, I want to further develop my ability to lead teams, make high-stakes decisions in uncertainty and build scalable ventures, particularly in sustainability-driven sectors.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2026?

I am someone who actively says yes to responsibility and new opportunities. This mindset allows me to contribute across academics, leadership roles and peer collaboration, creating value not just for myself but for the broader MBA community.

The Imperial MBA is also known for its strong emphasis on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Why does the program’s focus on technological insights and mindful leadership appeal to you? How have been able to leverage this approach in your career so far?

Imperial’s approach to innovation resonates with me because it is embedded within a broader academic and industry ecosystem rather than treated as a standalone concept. My work in renewable energy finance has required me to combine technology-driven modelling and forecasting with thoughtful stakeholder management. At Imperial, exposure to research-led thinking, entrepreneurship initiatives and cross-disciplinary collaboration allows me to formalise and deepen these skills, balancing technical and detailed skills with mindful, impactful decision making.

When you think of Imperial, what is the first word that comes to mind?

Innovation within. Imperial embeds innovation into every layer of the MBA from its curriculum and research-driven ecosystem to its entrepreneurial platforms encouraging students to translate ideas into real-world impact.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:

One of my biggest accomplishments has been leading and mentoring teams early in my career, including professionals at the MBA level. That experience accelerated my growth as a decision-maker and reinforced my desire to pursue an MBA that sharpens both strategic judgement and execution. On top of that, being elected SSC Chair by my classmates was a proud moment; it reflected the trust my peers placed in me and gave me the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the Imperial community.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Imperial Business School’s MBA program?

Be clear about your goals and how you intend to create impact. Imperial values candidates who combine intellectual curiosity with execution, collaboration and a genuine desire to contribute to the community.

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