In January 2010, two full-time UST MBA students and 21 part-time UST MBA students spent eight days in London, England learning more about the field of risk management. The course, Risk Leadership in Global Firms was held at Lloyd’s of London and was taught by Dr. Peter Young, the E.W. Blanch, Senior Chair in Risk Management at UST. Dr. Young is considered worldwide as a leading expert and educator on the subject of risk management.
The risk leadership concept is rather new, so the course provided a case-based exploration of the emerging enterprise risk management issues that challenge leaders at all levels in global organizations. Five of the top risk management experts from Europe were brought in as guest faculty to participate and present a case based on their own firm or professional experience.The guest faculty included the former CRO at SABMiller (now a partner at KPMG-London), the current Risk Officer for Novo Nordisk, the former head of Large Accounts at Aon-Europe (the world’s second largest insurance broker), a Professor of Strategic Risk Management at Copenhagen Business School, and a terrorism financing expert and adviser to NATO and the British Government on financial security.
Before departing for London, students were provided with readings for each of these experts. Upon arrival they spent mornings listening to lectures. Afternoons were spent in groups working on cases. Results were presented to the expert each afternoon with constructive feedback provided at the conclusion.
Along with a guided bus tour of London, students had the unique experience of a tour of Lloyd’s of London. With evenings and weekends free, students made use of the time by exploring London and the surrounding landmarks. Some made day trips to see Bath, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle while others shopped at Harrods, took in an English football game, or saw theatre productions including Lion King, Wicked, and Phantom of the Opera. (We all might have even made time to participate in a few pub crawls.)
London is an amazingly diverse city that has a lot to offer no matter your interests. Studying abroad is a highly informative and rewarding experience. I highly recommend this course and would urge all students to consider studying abroad before they graduate.
Myles Lukoskie is a student in the Full-time UST MBA program.
