Meet the Management Masters' Class of 2026

Discover the talented group of individuals looking to shape the future of business and drive impact

14 minute read
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What does the next generation of business leadership look like? At Imperial Business School, it looks global, diverse and ambitious. This year, our new cohorts of Management Master’s students bring experiences and perspectives representing 85 nationalities, with backgrounds in Business/Management, Arts/Humanities, Economics and more.

We have four Management programmes on offer:

Choosing to study one means joining an environment defined by academic rigour, hands-on learning and a global outlook. With strong links to the industry, personalised career support and opportunities to specialise in key areas, our programmes prepare graduates to make an impact across multiple industries.

Our new cohorts bring a mix of skills and experiences that reflect the demands of modern management: analytical thinking, adaptability and a collaborative approach to problem solving. Each programme provides practical learning and exposure to diverse perspectives, preparing students for real-world management challenges.

Join us as we take a closer look at each programme and introduce the talented individuals joining our community.

"It is exciting to know that you are very likely to see your classmate leading a cutting-edge technology company, or another community member coming up with a discovery that revolutionises a whole industry in a few years." Kerem Ozkefeli, MSc Economics & Strategy for Business

MSc in Management (MiM)

Our MSc in Management (MiM) is a re-designed, innovative programme. Over the next 12 months, students from diverse professional backgrounds will gain a solid foundation across core business areas while tailoring their studies through electives, global experiences and hands-on projects to signal their career interests to employers.

Students will engage in a variety of integrated learning opportunities. Modules like the Consulting Project, a group-based assignment for a real client, gives students the chance to solve a live business challenge while gaining hands-on consulting experience. Meanwhile, the Sustainable Business Simulation is a fast-paced, team-based exercise that challenges students to run a virtual company guided by the principles of conscious capitalism. Throughout the simulation, students make strategic decisions that balance profit with social and environmental impact, gaining hands-on experience in responsible and ethical business leadership.

Our students also benefit from over 70 employer-focused workshops and global experiences like the Global Business Challenge, which offer real-world consulting exposure and complement core learning - ensuring Imperial graduates are well-rounded and highly employable.

Our Class of 2026 includes 246 students representing 51 nationalities (54% female). Students arrive from a range of disciplines, including Business/Management (39%), Arts/Humanities (21%), Engineering/Tech (13%) and Economics (13%), embodying the international, multidisciplinary nature of the modern business leadership.

Dhruvi Popat

Dhruvi Popat

Nationality: Indian
Education: JD Birla Institute (Jadavpur University), Bachelors in Business Administration with a specialisation in marketing

 

Why did you choose Imperial’s MSc in Management (MiM) programme?

With experience across financial services, sustainability and hospitality, I’ve built a strong foundation in marketing, finance and strategy. In my role as Marketing and Talent Executive Specialist at Rakhecha Finserv LLP, I led campaigns, client onboarding and recruitment initiatives, which motivated me to pursue a programme that would deepen my expertise.

Imperial’s MSc in Management felt like the perfect fit—fast-paced, global and intellectually challenging. I was drawn to its balance of creativity and analytical rigour, as well as hands-on opportunities like the Consulting Project, Innovation Challenge and Global Immersion. Above all, I chose Imperial for its mindset: not just following trends, but shaping them.

How do you plan on getting involved in the Imperial community?

I’m eager to make the most of Imperial’s networking ecosystem through Careers Fairs, alumni events and cross-club panels with industry leaders. I’m especially excited to join the FMCG, Luxury Goods & Retail Club, Consulting Club, Women Mean Business and Sustainability & Social Impact Club, which align with my interests in strategy, innovation and responsible business.

I also look forward to exploring the Enterprise Lab, a dedicated space for budding entrepreneurs to test out and launch their ideas, and taking part in WE Innovate, which is a six-month initiative that sees women-led teams gain the entrepreneurial skills to take early-stage ideas to pitch-ready startups. Through areas like this, I hope to develop my own entrepreneurial ideas and collaborate with creative thinkers.

Alex Stacey

Alex Stacey

Nationality: British
Education: ESADE Business School, Barcelona, Bachelor of Business Administration

 

Why did you choose Imperial Business School’s MSc in Management (MiM)?

I initially envisioned a career in finance, but during an exchange semester at the University of Virginia, a management consulting class completely changed my path. Encouraged by my professor to pursue a Master’s in Management, I was drawn to Imperial Business School as the ideal next step.

From my experience at an international business school, I deeply value learning alongside people from diverse cultures and perspectives, which is something that Imperial embodies through its global cohort. I also wanted to return to the UK to launch my professional career, and Imperial’s strong reputation and extensive network in London made it the perfect choice to continue my career journey.

How does Imperial’s MSc in Management (MiM) programme prepare you for a career in consulting?

With the goal of entering consulting after graduation, Imperial’s curriculum offers the ideal preparation. Core modules like Strategic Management are already building the skills I’ll need, while electives such as the Global Business Challenge and Consulting Project provide hands-on, transferable experience. By graduation, I aim to have strengthened both my technical expertise and practical skills, while building a lasting network of peers and professionals to support my career long after the programme.

MSc Strategic Marketing

Our MSc Strategic Marketing programme equips students with the expertise to become leaders in this rapidly changing and data-driven marketing landscape. Combining marketing principles with the latest in digital technologies, social media strategies and analytics, students can confidently navigate the strategic decisions needed to excel in their careers.

Each year, students can specialise in one of two concentrations: Marketing Management or Marketing Analytics. Marketing Management will allow you to focus on the strategic, creative and leadership aspects of marketing, whilst the Marketing Analytics concentration emphasises data-driven, decision-making to guide marketing strategy. This allows for students to tailor their expertise and signal their strength to future employers.

These two avenues are complemented by applied learning initiatives like the Strategic Marketing Consulting Project, where students work with a corporate sponsor to tackle a real-world business challenge. Global experiences such as the Global Business Challenge and Global Immersion further broaden students’ perspectives, allowing them to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired to international context.

This year, we are proud to welcome 351 students to the MSc Strategic Marketing class of 2026. Our diverse cohort represents 59 nationalities who hold degrees across Business/Management (48%), Arts/Humanities (34%), Science/Medicine (7%) and Economics (5%), promising a dynamic classroom environment.

Marina Rauter

Marina de Pina Rauter

Nationality: Brazilian
Education: University of Southern California, BA in Psychology and a Minor in Consumer Behaviour, MSc in Digital Social Media

 

 

What was your journey to Imperial Business School?

Since graduating from university, I have been working in the Consumer Goods/Beverage industry at Anheuser-Busch (AbInBev Group). My most recent role was Strategy & Insights Manager for Budweiser. My work has mainly focused on transforming consumer behaviour analysis into actionable insights. I also worked on strategic marketing initiatives that build long-term brands that consumers resonate with.

Why did Imperial’s MSc Strategic Marketing stand out to you?

When looking into where I wanted to study, I explored two key areas: alumni career trajectories from consumer insights to senior marketing roles and evaluating programmes with real consulting projects. Imperial Business School offered both hands-on learning experiences with industry partners and alumni who landed in roles I could see myself in post-graduation.

How does the MSc Strategic Marketing curriculum align with your career goal in consumer insights?

Imperial’s MSc Strategic Marketing programme aligns perfectly with my career goals. With a background in psychology and experience working in consumer insights at Anheuser-Busch, I’m interested in developing my understanding of human behaviour in a business context.

I’m particularly excited about modules like Consumer Psychology and Decision Making, which will build on my psychology background, as well as Entrepreneurial Strategy, which will help me develop the skills needed to explore future entrepreneurial opportunities. The curriculum will deepen my foundational knowledge while providing the strategic marketing expertise needed to apply psychological principles to solve complex business challenges and drive meaningful impact.

Tyron Lia

Tyron Lai

Nationality: Hong Kong
Education: Trinity College Dublin, Business Studies and Spanish

 

Why did you choose Imperial’s MSc Strategic Marketing programme?

Imperial Business School is renowned for its academic excellence and offers a lot of career support – from one-to-one career appointments to career workshops and opportunities to network with alumni from a whole host of sectors. It’s London location also provides an excellent base to gain international business exposure.

I aim to leverage Imperial’s expertise to develop an interdisciplinary mindset, choosing a concentration in Marketing Analytics that will look at Machine Learning Applications in Marketing amongst other areas.  By combining advanced technological tools with robust data analysis, I hope to move beyond traditional marketing approaches and drive meaningful innovation in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

What is the value of studying alongside a diverse, international cohort?

With 59 nationalities in the Class of 2026, I look forward to gaining a global perspective and deepening my cultural awareness through discussions, group projects and everyday interactions. This experience will also enhance my adaptability and collaboration, skills essential for driving innovation and achieving excellence.

MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time)

Our MSc Strategic Marketing (part-time, online) runs for 24 months and is designed for ambitious professionals looking to advance their careers while continuing to work. Delivered fully online, the programme combines academic knowledge and data-driven learning with practical, real-world application.

Students can immediately apply their learning to their current roles while connecting with peers worldwide. Online events, workshops, and two on-campus experiences ensure they stay fully engaged with the Imperial community, wherever they are based.

Core modules explore key strategic marketing concepts – a particular highlight for recent graduates being the Applied Strategic Marketing module, which focuses on strategy for expanding into new markets or product categories. Students are also able to personalise their studies through a wide range of elective modules, including Sustainable Marketing, Machine Learning Applications in Marketing, Data Visualisation and Analytics. This year, we are delighted to welcome 31 students, representing 16 different nationalities.

Enyinna Onukogu

Enyinna Onukogu

Nationality: South African
Current job role: Management trainee: marketing and category
Education: North West University, Potchefstroom, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing Management

 

What are the benefits of studying online at a world-class university?

I initially planned to study full-time, but after some reflection, I realised that learning online would allow me to immediately apply what I’m learning to my work. That decision has been a game-changer. It’s helped me think more strategically and approach my projects with a sharper, more analytical lens.

What really stood out about Imperial was its reputation for world class teaching, its global network and its emphasis on innovation and exploration.

How does the MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time) align with your career goal in product marketing?

My long-term goal is to move into product marketing within the FMCG or tech space, where I can bring together consumer insights, data analytics and strategic thinking to build meaningful brand and product experiences. The MSc Strategic Marketing (online, part-time) programme is a great fit for this path - it offers a strong mix of analytical modules, innovation-driven projects and practical learning that will help me build the right skills to thrive in this space.

Being able to connect the dots in a world driven by big data and AI is what will set marketers apart, and I’m keen to develop that mindset through modules like Marketing Analytics, Strategic Market Management and Machine Learning Applications in Marketing.

How are you getting involved in the Imperial community as an online student?

I’m planning to run for the Careers Chair role for the FMCG stream in my cohort. I’d love to contribute by helping fellow students access valuable career resources, build strong networks and discover exciting opportunities.

Beyond that, I’m keen to stay actively involved - whether it’s through virtual events, peer collaborations or supporting others in their journey. Even as an online student, I believe there are so many ways to stay connected and make a meaningful impact within the Imperial community.

MSc Economics & Strategy for Business

Imperial’s MSc Economics & Strategy for Business prepares students to translate economic insights into effective business strategy. Our programme combines theory with practical case studies, projects and optional work placements to build the analytical and leadership skills needed to shape organisational success.

Combining micro- and macroeconomics, strategic management frameworks and hands-on consulting projects enables students to analyse data, understand complex markets and make decisions to drive business performance. Core modules including Corporate Strategy, Digital Businesses and Marketplaces, and Quantitative Data Analysis give students excellent foundational knowledge across economics, strategy and digital transformation.

Specialised electives in areas around innovation, digital strategy and risk management allow students to tailor their expertise, whilst the option of an extended 4-6 month work placement provides valuable industry experience. Students can also take part in international electives like the Global Business Challenge, where they will work as consultants for a global business to tackle challenges that they face in their emerging markets, developing both practical industry experience and an international mindset.

With the support of a dedicated careers team that offer services throughout the year, including workshops that target both interpersonal and career-specific skills, one-to-one career support and guest lectures from industry experts, the programme prepares graduates for roles across consulting, finance, policy and beyond.

Our Class of 2026 includes 173 students representing 44 nationalities, with 58% female students. They join us from varied academic backgrounds: 47% Economics, 40% Business/Management, 9% Finance/Accounting and 3% Arts/Humanities.

Kerem Ozkefeli

Kerem Ozkefeli

Nationality: Turkish
Education: McGill University, Economics Major & Psychology Minor

 

Why did you choose Imperial’s MSc Economics & Strategy for Business?

After graduating from McGill University, I spent two years at Dialectica, a research partner to the world’s top consulting and private equity firms. I managed my own team and supported global consulting projects with expert research, customer surveys and industry insights.

Imperial Business School’s combination of world-class management education and disruptive STEM environment was a big appeal to me. I wanted a programme that would challenge my thinking through exposure to diverse perspectives, while also giving me the tools to drive real-world impact.

Why are you looking forward to the Global Business Challenge module in particular?

The opportunity that most excites me is the Global Business Challenge, where I will get to travel to another country and work with a business to solve a critical business  problem they face in the emerging market in which they operate. This will not only be an invaluable opportunity to practice problem-solving and innovative thinking skills, but it will be a unique experience with the real impact it will make on a firm. It also aligns perfectly with my career goals within consulting.

What makes an Master’s at Imperial Business School worth it?

What makes a Master’s at Imperial worth it is the exposure it gives to exceptional thinkers, from academic staff with world-renowned backgrounds to students who are stimulated by thinking about the world’s toughest problems and ways of solving them. It is exciting to know that you are very likely to see your classmate leading a cutting-edge technology company, or another community member coming up with a discovery that revolutionises a whole industry in a few years.

Ema Klimentova

Ema Klimentova

Nationality: Slovak
Education: IE University in Madrid, Bachelor in Business Administration

Why did you choose MSc Economics and Strategy for Business at Imperial?

Whilst researching, it was important for me to look at the employability statistics and curriculum of the different programmes. It was a good indication not only of what industries alumni of a given programme went on to enter, but of the skills that they were likely to have built during the programme. Deep diving into what modules were on offer was crucial for understanding how it would develop my own skill set.

The programme is something that definitely stood out to me at Imperial – I have not been able to find many programmes that would fit my personal and career ambitions as well as the MSc Economics & Strategy for Business. As I have a background in business, I felt that the programme would add a layer of micro- and macroeconomic analysis to my skillset. Combined with the focus on strategy, this will allow me to expand my skills as a consultant by adding greater international perspective and more robust analytical tools.

Cross-disciplinary modules like Business and the Macroeconomy and Economics and Strategy for Innovation will help me to understand how macroeconomic forces shape business decision-making and explore how companies can strategically manage technological change and innovation, which is especially important in the shifting economic landscape that we find ourselves in.

How have you been welcomed into the Business School community?

Even before term started, we received resources helping us prepare for the start of the programme. Then, during induction, we had the opportunity to ask any questions we might have had, along with an opportunity to get to know each other better during the Away Day, and network with other cohorts in the Science Museum. All of these activities ensured that by the time lectures started, I felt not only welcomed, but ready and at home at Imperial.

Adith Rajapurmath

Adith Rajapurmath

Nationality: Indian
Education: ICFAI Business School, BSc Economics

Why did you choose Imperial’s MSc Economics & Strategy for Business?

I recently undertook a research internship at the Centre for Analytical Finance (CAF) at the Indian School of Business. I was engaged in public policy work and consultancy, which influenced the way I approached choosing my Master’s programme.

Having engaged in research, I knew that I wanted a programme that not only had the theoretical knowledge but also practical applications – something that the MSc Economics & Strategy for Business at Imperial has. I’m particularly excited about the Consulting Project that we undertake, which will give us the opportunity to utilise our learnings in a real-world context.

What is the advantage of studying business in London?

London is one of the foremost financial capitals of the world. The calibre of connections and networks that Imperial offers you and which you will build up throughout your time on the programme consist of some of the most highly skilled in the financial sector. It’s not something to be missed.