Competitions, Awards & Prizes

Schools Awards

WCIB Lord George Bursary at Dulwich College

The WCIB Lord George Bursary at Dulwich College is awarded annually in memory of WCIB Past Master Lord George of St Tudy (Eddie George) who was Governor of the Bank of England from 1994 to 2004. The bursary is awarded to a sixth form pupil on the recommendation of the school.

The WCIB School Essay Competition

Every year we run an essay competition for state school students from Years 12 and 13, located in east London. This year, students from 26 schools entered essays. We would like to say 'thank you' to  The Brokerage for helping to organise the competition, to the teachers who supported their students and to the WCIB members who judged the winning essays. Well done to all the students who took part!

The awards ceremony took place in December 2023 at ING's offices, all courtesy of ING.

This year, students were asked to write a 1000 word essay to discuss the following:

“The Prime Minister has said “AI (Artificial Intelligence) could transform our lives for the better if used safely and securely”. Write a letter to the Prime Minister outlining the opportunities and challenges AI will bring to education. How would you advise the Prime Minister to respond to these challenges?”

Winners

• First place : Otonye Ibiami - London Academy of Excellence
• Second Place:  Jia Sahota - Woodford County High School for Girls
• Third Place:  Ismail Ryabchuk - Newham Collegiate Sixth Form
• Fourth Place: Meti Abebe - La Retraite Roman Catholic School

The Sheriffs' Challenge

The Late Lord Mayor and former Master of the WCIB, Alderman Sir Peter Estlin, initiated the Sheriffs’ Challenge. Its rationale was to give students in London schools a chance to hone their public speaking skills by delivering a team-work presentation, competitively, on a topic relating to the City of London or the business/wider world.

Mansion House Scholarship Scheme (MHSS)

The Mansion House Scholarship Scheme helps fund foreign students and young financial services executives to come to the UK to study at a British university, or to train or gain experience in the City. This year two UK students are included in the scheme to strengthen links between the City of London and the UK's major cities.  Read more on the MHSS website click here.

Welcome to the new cohort of Mansion House Scholarship students

The following Mansion House Scholars are studying in the United Kingdom in 2023/24:

Jaime Armijo Adonis – Chile

Studying for a Master's degree in Finance at London Business School, Jaime is from Santiago and is 34. He graduated with Distinction with a BSc in Business Administration from the University of Chile in 2012. Since then he has worked as a portfolio manager for LarrainVial Asset Management in Santiago. He holds a CFA. Jaime has been a volunteer in Chile tutoring vulnerable students and while in London he hopes to continue to sponsor a young Chilean student through the Belen Educa Foundation.

Abdourahmane Diop – Senegal

Studying an MSc in Agricultural Economics at Reading University, Abrourahmane is a joint MHSS/Chevening Scholar. Abdourahmane is from Dakar and is 32. He is the first MHSS Scholar from Senegal. He graduated in 2016 with a degree in Agricultural Economics from the Université  de Thies (Senegal). At university he set up an Entrepreneurs Club for Agricultural Engineers which established an Agritech incubator hub to train young farmers. He is the programme manager of the Agritech Hub.

Kevin O’Connor – Republic of Ireland

Studying an MSc Finance and Accounting at Imperial College, Kevin is from Dublin and is 22. He is the first MHSS Scholar from the Republic of Ireland. He graduated in 2023 from University College, Dublin as a Bachelor of Commerce International. Whilst at university, Kevin worked in the holidays as an intern for PWC and was involved in fundraising to support the Missionaries of Charity Premdan, Kolkata. He is a keen sportsman, playing rugby and golf.

Liudmyla Kasian – Ukraine

Studying for a Master's degree in Banking and Finance Law at Queen Mary University, Liudmyla is a joint MHSS/Chevening Scholar. Liudmila is from Kyiv and is 27. She graduated from Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv with an LLB and subsequently took an LLM in 2018. She works as a legal support manager for Ukraine Railways and was involved in helping refugees get out of Mariupol when it besieged by the Russians.

Nadiia Lysenko - Ukraine

Studying for a Master’s degree in International Banking and Finance Law at University College, London, Nadiia s a joint MHSS/Chevening Scholar. Nadiia is from Kyiv and is 26. She graduated from Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv with an LLB and subsequently took an LLM in 2018. She works in the Licensing Department of the National Bank of Ukraine.

In 2017 she helped set up an NGO “New Generation Women Leaders” in Ukraine and organised events where women leaders shared their professional accomplishments.

Lidiia Vatutina - Ukraine

Studying for a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Resources: Economics, Policy and Transitions at University College, London, Lidiia is a joint MHSS/Chevening Scholar.

Lidiia is from Ivano-Frankivsk and is 25. She graduated from Taras Shevchenko University with an LLB and subsequently took an LLM in 2021. She works as an Associate at Everlegal Attorney-at-Law. Her ambition is to be at the forefront of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine to ensure its compliance with the global climate action agenda.

Wubedel Asfaw Shuba – Ethiopia

Studying for a Master’s Degree in Fintech with Business Analytics at the University of Westminster, Wubedel is a joint Chevening/MHSS Scholar. Wubedel is from Addis Ababa and is 35. She studied Politics as an undergraduate at Addis Ababa University and subsequently took an MBA at Reading University in 2016. She works as a Business Development Manager at Aman and Partners. At university Wubedel successfully raised donations and executed community projects, such as providing free sanitary napkins and stationery and printing services for under privileged female students in the University as well as helping visually-impaired students in taking written exams. Her ultimate professional goal is to become a significant contributor with expertise in business analytics who works to steer and have an impact on Ethiopia's financial ecosystem.

University & Business Schools Awards

WCIB Prize at Business Schools

The Company places a high value on relationships with Universities and Business Schools involved in undergraduate and postgraduate finance and other subjects related to the City. The relationships offer a gateway into the WCIB and the City for faculty and students alike. For example, the WCIB has provided City mentors for students, speakers for classes/events/career sessions, event sponsorship and general support to relationship institutions.

In addition, there is the awarding of the  annual WCIB prize to a student for the best dissertation or extended piece of written work as assessed by faculty. Typically the work will be related to the City, international banking or an aspect of finance. The winner receives a certificate of merit and £300. The winner also qualifies to participate in the  annual WCIB Lombard Prize competition which is our nation-wide competition.

The WCIB Lombard Prize

The WCIB Lombard Prize was initiated by Alan Moore CBE in the early 1990's when he was Chairman of the Lombard Association, to reward an outstanding student of the City University (now the Bayes Business School) evening MBA Programme. In 2009, the Court of Assistants agreed that the Lombard Prize should be extended to include the winners of Company prizes at all of the universities which are affiliated with the Company.

The Prize consists of:

• A solid silver Armada dish, inscribed with the Company and winner’s names;
• A cheque for £1500.00;
• A certificate of merit;

The winner will be offered Honorary Membership of the Company for one year and will be invited to attend the prestigious WCIB Annual Banquet (typically at Guildhall or the Lord Mayor’s Mansion House) to receive the Prize. The event is attended by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, other senior figures within the City of London.