Emmanuel reflects on the benefits of studying alongside classmates from around the world, and how his studies in the School of Business and Management allowed him to recognise his passion for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) issues, which he has advocated for throughout his career.
As an international student from Argentina, what attracted you to London and Queen Mary in particular?
First, the academic excellence that can be found in London and in particular the positive references I had heard about Queen Mary from former students. Secondly, the fact that London is such a multicultural city that you feel as though you are living in not one place but many at the same time, meaning I would be exposed to a wide range of cultures, languages, and experiences. It was this combination of factors that led me to choose London as a city and Queen Mary as my university.
What aspects of your master's degree and experience at Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management did you enjoy most?
I was attracted to the curriculum which offered a great balance of topics to explore. Professors were well versed in their fields, not just academically but also at work experience level, so there was a good mix of experiences that was passed to me and my classmates. The most precious thing from my experience was the interactive and engaging debates with my professors and classmates, not just from the material read in classes but from the experiences shared by each of them.
Can you describe your career path to date and your current role?
I have worked at the international level on sustainability and investment for several years. From working for an embassy as a trade and investment officer to leading advisory projects on socio political risk for a global consulting firm with operations across Latin America, advising extractive and infrastructure industry.
I would certainly recommend the School of Business and Management to anybody looking for an international, world-class educational experience.
In the case of my current role focused on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), during lockdown I did an internal review of what I wanted to do with my career. I concluded that I would like to follow one of my passions – sustainability – and mix it with prior experience I had dealing with asset management firms as clients. I decided to move to a new industry/sector, so I got in touch with some contacts in the industry and that led me to the opportunity to work for a global investment management firm such as MFS on ESG and Stewardship.
Alongside this, I was recently appointed Board Chair of the Chevening Alumni Alliance for 2022-24. Attending Queen Mary as a Chevening Scholar was a life-changing experience for me and I am honoured and excited to carry forward some of the great work that Chevening alumni have been doing across the globe.
You are passionate about sustainability and ESG issues. What did you learn about these issues during your degree and how have you applied your learning in your career so far?
Most of my degree focused on global value chains and its impact on international trade and the development of countries’ economies, so issues such as governance, environmental and social issues were very much present throughout my studies at Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management. I would say that it was this focus that helped me to see the big picture when analysing the interaction of companies, their complex supply chains, and their impact on the wider society.
What is the most exciting thing about what you do?
At MFS I engage with global companies on topics such as sustainability, ESG and climate change. It is extremely exciting to research these key topics, find the most pressing and material issues and discuss them with senior management from a wide array of companies located in several countries. It is key to understand local corporate cultures to be able to influence these companies to introduce positive changes that are aligned with international commitments on net zero, for instance.
What was special about your time at Queen Mary and why would you recommend the School of Business and Management to others?
I would say that the friends I made while I was studying are what made my time at Queen Mary unique. Spending hours together at the library or at the Graduate Centre led to shared moments of stress and anxiety before submitting essays or studying for the exams and that cemented the bond between us. We then became close friends, as part of an extended family.