How LBS empowers the next generation of global, female changemakers.
Based in London, but overwhelmingly international. LBS welcomes students and faculty from every corner of the world – 96% of students are not UK nationals, and for faculty, the figure is over 55%, growing year on year. This global community of creativity, knowledge and experience is no accident; it’s the foundation of a culture which prioritises diversity, inclusion and belonging. Donor funding, and a network of active alumni, help make this happen.
Take the recent EQUALL conference. Run by the Women in Business Club and featuring 26 inspirational speakers, several of whom are LBS alumni making their mark across continents, it demonstrated the impact the School has in empowering the next generation of female changemakers.
LBS is determined to model improvements in gender equality. A raft of targeted scholarships, gender-specific research projects, a global alumni network of successful businesswomen and an awe-inspiring Women in Business Club collectively create a stronger pipeline of women leaders globally. In the last three years alone, the School has welcomed 19% more female students, recruited 13% more female faculty and promoted 17% more women to its Board¹. And the median gender pay gap among employees has been reduced by 10 percentage points since 2024².
Donors enable LBS to rewrite the rules, not only within the School, but far beyond. When women have the tools to succeed in business, they carve a brave new path for others to follow. As highlighted at the recent EQUALL Conference, data suggests female-led businesses outperform and drive better returns, so LBS does everything possible to equip students for this journey, from more female role models to constantly challenging the status quo.
Eileen Frino, MBA2018 and previous Chair of the Women in Business Club, is now COO of CR3 Partners and recently made SFNet‘s ’40 under 40’ as one of the “trailblazers who inspire colleagues, foster collaboration, and bring new energy” to her industry. From securing a Deutsche Bank Women’s Scholarship to chairing the 2018 EQUALL conference, the School was instrumental in providing the toolkit she needed to believe she could change her corner of the business world. As Eileen says,
Attending LBS was pivotal. Getting that experience both in school and working in London afterwards changed the trajectory of my career.³
LBS will continue to champion powerful businesswomen around the world. EQUALL Co-Chairs Ify Osakwe MBA2026 and Kylie Navarro MBA2026 urged attendees: “We all have a role to play. The doors we walk through today didn’t open by accident – women before us pushed them open. Now, it’s up to us to keep them open and invite others through. Be bold. Be courageous. Be kind. And keep rewriting the rules.4″
LBS expands access to world-class business education, attracting diverse global talent and equipping future leaders with the skills and perspectives to create meaningful change all over the world.
The Laidlaw Foundation and LBS celebrate a major milestone in the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, reflecting our joint commitment to elevating women in business.
If you have any questions or feedback on the Forever Forward campaign, we’d love to hear from you.
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