Lazard

Question 1

Why Lazard?

Answer 1

Singular Focus on Clients – Trust and Integrity – Imperative for Independent Investment Banks - Clients listen and Value Advice – Long Standing Clients– Like to build long term relationships - MCS Customer Support – Relationships start locally and integrate globally.

Collaborative Culture – Particularly Small teams - Opportunity to learn from people and experts at the top of their field – Build long lasting relationships with both clients and colleagues.

Flat Management structure – access to senior colleagues is invaluable and chance to make an impact– Learned working in a small business MCS – implementing production management system.

Focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurial Culture – impact on work for clients and company.

Question 2

Why Financial Advisory/ Investment Banking? WHY M&A?

Answer 2

I have always like to make use of my analytical and numerical skills to solve challenging problems and this is what led me to a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have always maintained a keen interest in both business and finance by keeping up to date with the U.K financial markets through outlets such as financial times. When I studied an Economics and Management module I realised that applying my skills to the challenges of business problems was really satisfying. Working in midland computer services…

Enjoy Responsibility and also variety – Chance to work with high profile clients early in my career – Every deal is different – exposure to negotiations - So working on high profile transaction like IBM buying out Red Hat for $34 billion dollars. MCS Responsibility. Seeing the results of a transaction I had worked on in the news would be really satisfying.

Enjoy Building Relationships – People person – Clients and Suppliers at MCS.

Fantastic Learning Opportunity – Work on transactions across industries from power and energy to healthcare. – Gain a broad range of skills.

Question 3

What is an Independent Investment Bank?

Answer 3

• Independent investment banks are corporate finance advisory firms that are not part of or allied to a diversified financial institution.
• The business model rests on the premise that we can provide a better service to our clients if we’re solely focused on the best advice for each client and not looking to cross-sell other products and services.

Question 4

Why Lazard and how does Lazard differentiate itself from competitors and how do you fit Lazard?

Answer 4

Singular Focus on Clients

• Focus on providing advice as an independent investment bank positions us differently to our bulge bracket competitors as mentioned above.
• Additionally, our experience on large deals and global footprint allow us to differentiate ourselves from some of the boutiques who we would also consider competitors.

Flat hierarchy means that there is access to senior colleagues.

Question 5

Why would you be a fit at Lazard? Why should we choose you over other candidates?

Answer 5

• Strategist – Production Management at MCS
• Relationship Builder – Clients and Suppliers at MCS – Negotiator and influencer – I am able to anticipate clients’ needs not just react to them.
• Team player – Formula Student
• Innovator – Formula Student
• Quick Learner – MCS Tech Support

Question 6

When did you show leadership/teamwork?

Answer 6

Formula Student

Question 7

Greatest weakness

Answer 7

Delegating