ALUMNI FOCUS
London calling
As a truly global city, London attracts professionals from a wide range of countries, backgrounds and industries, so it’s no surprise Macquarie University graduates are also drawn to this global hub to pursue their goals. And yet, even as far away as London, the Macquarie light still shines bright, with the MQ UK Alumni Network connecting graduates, expanding their networks, and enhancing their personal and professional UK experience.
‘London is one of the biggest cities in the world and a very attractive place to live and work,’ starts Hyun Lee, who graduated from MQ with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) in 2010 and is now Director of Product Development at Kantar, one of the top market research companies in the UK.
Explaining the lure of the UK capital, Hyun says, ‘It’s an extremely dynamic business environment and culture, and businesses are connected in a sophisticated web. New jobs with new responsibilities are constantly being created, and your unique skill set is what will define your role rather than a pre-determined set of requirements.
Hyun Lee
‘It’s an ever-changing work situation that doesn’t allow anyone to stagnate,’ he continues. ‘In my role, I’m continually redefining what I do to make sure I’m competitive – for me, working in London is all about being part of this challenging business ecosystem.’
Originally from Korea, Hyun is not afraid of a challenge or to break new ground. He arrived in Australia in 2004 and, having experienced the Asian financial crisis in 1999, was keen to understand how the economy works and what roles banks and financial institutions play in everyday life.
As a result, he enrolled at Macquarie and was the first Korean to achieve an honours degree in Economics at MQ. By chance, his statistics lecturer KJ Byun recommended he consider a career in marketing research. He admits, ‘It’s not a career that usually comes to mind when studying economics, but her recommendation is what led me to work in this field.’
Hyun says he was also the first Korean to work at Kantar’s London HQ, having accepted a position in ecommerce research and insights in 2015, and has been in London ever since – a not uncommon story. Fellow alumni Fiona Boal has lived in London for the last 10 years but says she’s still a very proud Aussie, especially when it comes to any sporting contest against the Poms!
Hyun at a Macquarie alumni event in London
Having graduated from Macquarie with a Master of Applied Finance (MAF) in 2005, Fiona says it gave her the confidence and technical skills to further her career in financial services. She’s currently the Managing Director, Global Head of Equities at S&P Global in London, and is responsible for the product management of the US and global equity indices, including the iconic S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P Global BMI and the S&P/ASX 200.
Fiona Boal
Fiona spent ten years in the Big Apple with Rabobank and various hedge funds before making the leap to the UK. As she explains, ‘Not long after graduating, I had the opportunity to move to New York City – who knows if I would have been offered that job without the MAF, but it certainly demonstrated to my employer at the time that I was willing to learn, able to juggle multiple demands on my time, and curious about global financial markets.’
There’s no doubt that both New York and London are a long way from West Wyalong, 500 kilometres due west of Sydney, where Fiona grew up, and indeed Meat and Livestock Australia, where she started her career, but speaking with alumni, it’s clear MQ prepares you for life as a global citizen. ‘It helps you to expand your horizons and be more courageous when taking new opportunities around the world,’ affirms Hyun.
James Zhao now calls London home too. He graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial) in 2009 and a Master of Commerce in 2010. Currently Vice President within the Loan Capital Markets business at Bank of America where he specialises in acquisition financing, James says, ‘The adjustment from life in a smaller pond to a world of opportunities has been an exciting one.’
James Zhao
Still, he notes things don’t always go to plan. ‘I studied to become an actuary and ended up a banker. And I never thought I’d leave Australia, but I’m about to celebrate my eighth year in London – my mantra has been to live with no regrets, and that has led to various rewarding experiences so far.’
James at a Macquarie Alumni event in London
James notes the market in London is robust. ‘There’s an abundance of jobs and opportunities available, and Australians are well-regarded for our qualifications and work ethic. And the level of deal flow is tremendous, particularly as London allows me to dabble in transactions across continental Europe and North America.’
Andre Nguyen couldn’t agree more. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2009 and is now the Chief Legal Officer at Orbus Software in London. He adds, ‘With the Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement in force, more and more opportunities will arise for those keen to step out of the Australian market.
Andre Nguyen
Andre attending an alumni event
‘Whether for a short or long time, it’s definitely worth bolstering your experience by working abroad – it expands your horizons and your perspective,’ he says, strongly encouraging those venturing to London to link in with the MQ UK Alumni Network.
‘The graduates you meet all have such varying careers, which can span a few years to decades, and the network opens doors to unique events, enhancing business connections and future relationships. It also inspires the new wave of graduates, and is an opportunity to share stories and celebrate a great education collectively.’
Andre also notes the network has been a great way to catch up on developments at Macquarie. ‘We’ve been involved in plans for the new branding and legal facilities at the MQ site, and it has been useful for expanding the voice of those in the legal alumni,’ he says, referring to the London event for the former Macquarie vice chancellor and high court judge Michael Kirby, with distinguished guests Baroness Hale and Baron Mance.
Retaining connections to their alma mater is clearly important to each of these alumni. ‘It’s a great way to connect with other alumni and remain engaged with the university,’ adds Fiona. ‘I’ve attended a number of social and networking events, and was honoured to be the guest speaker at an alumni event in 2019, where I spoke about the future of finance in the UK.
‘It was only a few months before the UK formally withdrew from the EU, and there was significant uncertainty surrounding London’s ability to maintain its position as a global financial hub,’ she recalls.
James adds, ‘The macro headlines about London haven’t been positive since Brexit, but it’s still an amazing city, and the brightest minds in Europe still consider breaking into London as the prize they strive for. I still call Australia home, but moving here has been the single best decision I’ve ever made, both for my career and the incredible travelling adventures.’
As a final note, Hyun reflects on the warmth and collegiality inherent in the MQ alumni, saying, ‘It’s about staying connected, but also, by sharing what we and others have done – our successes and challenges, as well as our connections – we can help other MQ alumni and students make the most of their time in London too.’
It would seem that wherever your travels and career take you after your graduation ceremony at Macquarie University, you can be sure the MQ alumni will be there for you. From Sydney to London and beyond, the MQ lighthouse shines bright and strong, a symbol of support, encouragement and reassurance that continues to bring people together.
We’re excited to re-establish the MQ UK Alumni Network and would love you to be involved. If you live in the UK and want to join our network, please connect via LinkedIn, or Update your details to stay connected with your local network.
Events are an important way we connect alumni all around the globe, and we’re looking forward to our next MQ UK Alumni Network event in London on 9 September at Horse and Guardsman. For more information and RSVP, please register here.
To find an alumni network wherever you are in the world, search our global alumni networks. We look forward to connecting soon.
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