Henley Alumni Stories - stories from our community
Oluwaseyi Adebiyi, an MSc Finance graduate, reflects on her career journey and how Henley helped shape her strategic thinking for leadership-focused roles in finance.
I currently work across finance, research, and strategy, with experience in lending, business development, and financial services innovation. Most recently, I joined Credit Matters Limited as part of the ownership team. I serve as Research and Strategy Lead, with equity participation and founder-level responsibility for strategy, research, and business growth. This represents an important career milestone for me, as it allows me to combine my finance background with research-led strategy, market analysis, and business development within Nigeria’s evolving financial services sector. My time at Henley played a significant role in shaping this career direction.
The Master’s in Finance programme strengthened my technical understanding of finance while also helping me think more critically, commercially, and globally. One module that was especially valuable was Financial Modelling. It gave me practical exposure to company valuation, mergers and acquisitions, financial statement analysis, discounted cash flow modelling, multiples valuation, and leveraged buyout modelling. The module also involved building a pitchbook for a real-life transaction, which helped me develop stronger research, analytical, and presentation skills.
What made this experience particularly useful was its practical application. It helped me understand how financial models are used to assess business value, evaluate strategic options, and communicate a clear investment case. These skills are directly relevant to my current work, where I need to assess opportunities, interpret market trends, and support informed decision-making. Henley gave me more than technical knowledge. It gave me the confidence, discipline, and global perspective to move into more strategic and leadership-focused roles. The experience continues to influence how I approach finance, research, and business growth within Nigeria’s emerging market context.
What is one piece of advice you would share with a current student at Henley to inspire them in their career journey?
My advice to a current Henley student would be to get involved early and make the most of every opportunity. Lectures and seminars are not just about passing modules, they are opportunities to gain real-life exposure, ask questions, build confidence, and understand how classroom knowledge applies to practical business situations. I would also encourage students to start looking for placements, internships, and career opportunities early, as this can strengthen their employability, expand their network, and help them gain valuable industry experience. Henley provides the knowledge, exposure, and global perspective, but it is important to be proactive and intentional in using those opportunities to shape your career journey.
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