Alex Short selected as winner of the 2019 Worshipful Company of International Bankers Prize.

Published (Updated )

The Worshipful Company of International Bankers (WCIB) have presented Cass Business School alumnus Alex Short (MBA, 2020) with the 2019 Cass WCIB Prize, in recognition of his exemplary performance at the school. Alex was presented with the award by fellow Cass alumnus, WCIB Liveryman, Court Member and Head of Education and Awards, Omiros D. Sarikas.

Alex’s thesis was an analysis of an acquisition strategy for a London-based financial services firm. The strategy included an assessment of prior acquisitions and made recommendations for the future.

Alex’s background is in media and communications and he said his time studying for his MBA at Cass was crucial to prepare him for the challenge of working with an asset manager’s corporate strategy and development team.

"Whilst the 10 finance-focused modules I completed were inherently important, particularly the M&A module taught by Professor Scott Moeller, my thesis supervisor, there were significant elements of Strategy as well as even Organisational Behaviour and Digital Technologies that were useful at various stages. In addition, the Cass careers service organised for the company to present at the business school, affording me the project opportunity in the first place.”

Alex said he was delighted to receive the award, especially as he now qualifies to enter the annual WCIB Lombard Prize competition.

“The award in itself was never a specific target, but rather I wanted to produce the best piece of work possible under the circumstances. However, I was delighted to receive the prize and have recently sent my submission for the WCIB Lombard prize, which would be fantastic way to round off the past year.”

L-R: Professor Steve Thomas, Mr Omiros D. Sarikas, Mr Alex Short and Professor Scott Moeller

Omiros D. Sarikas commented that Alex was a worthy recipient of the prize, which is an important part of the WCIB’s outreach work with universities and business schools.

“The WCIB places a high value on relationships with universities and business schools and our awards and prize programmes offer a gateway into the WCIB and the City for faculty and students alike. We are delighted to partner with Cass, the business School of the City of London, and congratulate Alex for being its victor for the Lombard Prize. Cass has a long-established relationship with WCIB and the City of London and we are pleased to be a sponsor of the School’s M&A and PE Society and contribute towards its online Economist access.”

Alex recently graduated from Cass and is now interviewing for equity analyst roles at major investment banks.

“The interview processes are prolonged, and my background definitely makes me a non-typical hire, however I feel significantly more confident with similar experience at a major financial services outfit under my belt. The project has acted as a bridge from the MBA to my desired role and I would urge anyone looking to make a similar move to gain as much industry exposure as possible through their project."

About the WCIB prize

The annual WCIB prize includes a certificate and a cash prize to a student for the best dissertation or extended piece of written work as assessed by faculty at their business school. Typically, the work will be related to the City, international banking or an aspect of finance. The WCIB victors from over 20 universities are invited to compete in a national competition, the Lombard Prize, where the winner is awarded a silver salver, a monetary prize, and honorary membership for a year at WCIB, typically at WCIB’s Annual Banquet at Guildhall or the Mansion House, in the presence of the WCIB Master and the Court.

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