Q4.1 2024

In the last edition of the ES Edge, we broached the topic of offshoring, tracing the lineage of offshore and nearshore offices from their incarnation in the early noughties as administrative support hubs to their current function as bona fide deal-centres. If you missed it, find the article here.

As offshore and nearshore centres become more valuable to banking franchises, so does the talent emerging from them. Consequently, candidate relocation onshore has become even more prominent than before. This can prove to add an extra string to a franchise’s bow, as offshore talent is less costly (even with VISA fees) and often more mature within their corporate grade compared to their onshore counterparts.

However, hiring heads are presented with a different challenge when sifting through offshore CVs, as they are often more difficult to crack open when it comes to educational pedigree. The Oxbridge/LSE seal of approval and the Russell Group litmus test are no longer relevant, and without prior knowledge of European Business schools, educational strength in offshore candidates can be more difficult to spot.

To assist, Eversearch have compiled a list of the strongest European business schools, which has been derived from a myriad of league tables and over a decade of experience placing European candidates. Without further ado:

HEC Paris (France)

Set over 340-acre woodland, HEC is known for its rigorous financial curriculum, particularly through its Masters in International Finance (MIF) program. The program is highly quantitative, with a strong focus on financial modeling, valuation, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A).

Notable Alumni include Frédéric Oudéa – CEO of Société Générale, Jean-Pierre Mustier – Former CEO of UniCredit, and Philippe Oddo – Managing Partner of Oddo BHF, a leading French financial services group.

SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy)

Located in the heart of Milan and boasting the Bocconi Library, which houses one of the largest collections of financial texts in Europe, SDA Bocconi is particularly strong in corporate finance and banking. The school’s finance programs emphasize practical, real-world applications, and are bolstered through strong connections to Milan’s financial hub.

Notable Alumni include Andrea Orcel – CEO of UniCredit, previously Head of Investment Banking at UBS, Carlo Messina – CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo, one of Italy’s largest banks, and Massimo Tononi – Chairman of Banco BPM and former Chairman of Borsa Italiana.

ESCP Business School (France, Germany, Spain, Italy)

ESCP’s campuses are strategically located in key European financial centres, and fittingly the MSc in Finance program at ESCP is recognized for its international focus. Key specialisms include financial markets, risk management, and the regulatory environments across Europe.

Notable Alumni include Philippe Houzé – Chairman of Galeries Lafayette Group and an influential figure in French finance, Nicolas Moreau – CEO of HSBC Asset Management, previously CEO of DWS (Deutsche Bank’s asset management arm), and Patrick Gagliardini – CFO of AXA Investment Managers.

University of St. Gallen (Switzerland)

The MSc in Banking and Finance at St. Gallen is distinguished by its strong emphasis on risk management, financial engineering, and asset management. As is to be expected, the program is known for its close ties with Swiss financial institutions and the global banking sector.

Notable Alumni include Axel Lehmann – Ex-Chairman of Credit Suisse, Thomas Gottstein – Former CEO of Credit Suisse, Philipp Hildebrand – Vice Chairman of BlackRock, and former Chairman of the Swiss National Bank.

IE Business School (Spain)

IE’s Masters in Finance is particularly strong in financial markets, alternative investments, and quantitative finance. The program is closely integrated with the Madrid Stock Exchange, providing students with direct access to the trading floor.

Notable Alumni include Ignacio Juliá Vilar – CEO of Santander Consumer Finance, Carlos Torres Vila – Chairman of BBVA, Gonzalo Gortázar – CEO of CaixaBank.

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (Netherlands)

The MSc in Finance & Investments at RSM is known for its robust academic framework, focusing on corporate finance, investment analysis, and sustainable finance. Again, strong connections with multinational corporations and financial institutions in the Netherlands provide excellent career opportunities for postgraduates.

Notable Alumni include Pieter Zwart – Founder and CEO of Coolblue, Kees van Dijkhuizen – Former CEO of ABN AMRO, Mark Rutte – Dutch Prime Minister, with a background in corporate finance before entering politics.

EDHEC Business School (France, London, Singapore)

EDHEC is a leader in financial markets and risk management, bolstered by the EDHEC-Risk Institute, a globally recognized research center. The MSc in Financial Markets program is known for its strong quantitative approach and practical applications in portfolio management and derivatives.

Notable Alumni include Emmanuel Roman – CEO of PIMCO, Bernard Spitz – President of the French Insurance Federation (Fédération Française de l’Assurance), and Bruno Crastes – CEO of H2O Asset Management.

Stockholm School of Economics (Sweden)

SSE’s MSc in Finance is highly regarded for its rigorous focus on analytical finance, corporate finance, and investment management. The school has strong ties with Nordic financial institutions.

Notable Alumni include Jacob Wallenberg – Chairman of Investor AB, Marcus Wallenberg – Chairman of SEB, and Kerstin Hessius – CEO of the Third Swedish National Pension Fund (AP3).

EADA Business School Barcelona (Spain)

EADA’s International Master in Finance takes a very practical approach to financial education, focussing on corporate finance, financial markets, and investment banking. The school benefits from its location in Barcelona, a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit.

Notable Alumni include José Ignacio Goirigolzarri – Executive Chairman of Caixabank, and Ana Botín – Executive Chair of Santander Group.

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (Germany)

The Master of Finance program at Frankfurt School is highly specialised, with a strong emphasis on banking, asset management, and risk management. There is a strong focus on networking, with the university hosting several career events.

Notable Alumni include Martin Blessing – Former CEO of Commerzbank, Stefan Ermisch – CEO of Hamburg Commercial Bank, and Philipp Rickenbacher – CEO of Julius Baer Group

Eversearch provides executive search and modern talent solutions exclusively to the risk and finance sectors.

We are true sector specialists and partner with a select group of core financial services clients that demand best-in-class talent. Many of our clients have partnered with us over several years. We are an extension of their in-house talent strategy and are trusted advisors. We know their operations well and have great instincts on how to navigate challenging talent pools to deliver consistent results.

Risk has emerged as one of the most important business functions across complex financial services institutions. While many of our competitors now cover the sector, our differentiators are our depth of experience, thorough insights and proven ability to deliver on otherwise hard-to-find talent.