From BSB to King’s College London and a Career in Law
We are proud to feature Ioannis Alekos, our BSB alumnus who graduated from King’s College London with a 2:1 in Economics. At university, he led the Economics and Finance Society and earned several accolades, including the Outstanding Achievement Award and Golden Colour. Currently, he is completing an MA Law Conversion degree at the University of Law with an average of 78% and is involved in pro-bono work.
Ioannis credits BSB for its significant role in his development, particularly valuing the personal approach of our teachers and the extracurricular opportunities. Find out more about his journey in this interview.
Q: What university did you attend, and what made you choose your course?
Graduating from King’s College London in 2023 with a degree in Economics provided me with a broader, more holistic perspective on global dynamics. I sought to deepen my understanding of how financial systems, public policy, and economic incentives shape our world around us, whether that is housing and living prices or consumer choices. As I always enjoyed maths and also liked essay subjects, Economics seemed like the perfect quantitative and qualitative mixture.
While I would still pick Economics for my undergraduate, my studies ultimately reinforced my interest in law and led me to pursue the MA Law Conversion course at the University of Law. I enjoy combining my economic insights with legal frameworks to address complex issues, such as in my dissertation, where I explored the liability in the syndicated loan market and recommended risk mitigation strategies.
Q: How was university – what did you enjoy and what were the challenges?
University was a rewarding experience for me because I enjoyed most of the academics, extracurricular activities, and social life. While the academic side was challenging and stimulating, my eagerness to be involved in extracurricular activities, which was cultivated at BSB, carried into my university life. I was the president of the Economics and Finance Society, amongst the largest nationally. This involved daily dedication, leading a team of 40 people to host weekly events with prestigious speakers such as Touker Suleyman and Yanis Varoufakis and industry experts. We also ran a mentorship scheme, conferences, formed partnerships and sponsorships, and hosted social events. I also enjoyed meeting all kinds of people and delving into everything London has to offer.
The main challenge was finding the right balance between all these areas, which I learned is dependent on the individual and can require a lot of trial and error. It wasn’t always easy, but taking consistent forward steps helped me manage my energy and stay on track.
Q: What’s your next plan?
This academic year I will be taking my professional exams (SQE 1 & 2) to qualify as a solicitor in the UK. Then, I look forward to commencing my training contract at Paul Hastings, a US law firm with elite teams in finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and restructuring.
Q: How did BSB help you achieve your goals?
BSB played an invaluable role in shaping my development and helping me reach where I am today. This was largely due to the personal and supportive approach of the teachers, who were deeply invested in each student’s short-term growth and long-term potential. The exceptional quality of teaching and wide range of extracurricular activities, particularly debating and basketball, and plenty of leadership opportunities such as student council were crucial in developing the confidence and abilities essential for my future endeavours.
Q: When did you graduate from BSB? Any particular memories that stand out from your BSB years?
I left BSB halfway through Year 10 in 2016 due to moving away from Romania. I came to BSB in Year 7 with a limited level of English, which initially resulted in lower grades. However, by the end of the year, thanks to the support and encouragement I received from the BSB Community, I not only achieved excellent academic results but also became actively involved in the school, taking on roles such as student council member. This led to me receiving the Principal’s Award, which is one of my proudest achievements to this day.
I also appreciate BSB’s unique environment, which, along with a wide range of experiences, allowed me to grow into a well-rounded individual. I have particularly fond memories of Mr. Allsop’s engaging history lessons, taking on numerous creative projects with Mr. Williams, debating against other schools, participating in drama productions, and amazing trips with my classmates.
Q: Any achievements or contributions that you are really proud of?
I received the King’s Outstanding Student Achievement Award for my unwavering contribution to the community while honouring my academic studies and was a shortlisted nominee for President of the Year.
I was also awarded Event of the Year by King’s Student Union for executing the inaugural Investment Conference on private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital. The conference attracted 140 attendees from 22 universities and 32 degree programmes, with 90% of delegates finding it helpful for their career plans.
I am also proud of engaging with a pro-bono small business legal advice clinic.
Q: Anything that you want to say to your BSB teachers or tips to current students relating to academics or life at BSB in general?
Thank you to all the teachers for your personal approach and unique experiences. I believe that students should take advantage of all the range of opportunities BSB has to offer to truly find their path and never be afraid to ask the teachers for assistance. Due to the university’s independent nature, lectures have little time to assist you, thus it is essential to gain all the help you need from BSB early on.
We extend our thanks to Ioannis for sharing his journey with us. We wish him continued success in his future endeavours and look forward to following his achievements as he progresses in his career!
