Spanish master's students gain unique insight into London’s global financial role
If you are looking to gain a first-hand insight into global finance, where do you go? Cities like New York, Hong Kong, Chicago and Singapore are all renowned international centres of finance, but nothing quite compares to London for history, evolution and on-going impact.
Which is why leading Spanish business school, Institutio de Estudios Bursátiles (IEB) chose the UK’s capital as the destination to give their master’s students a truly formative academic experience.
Partnering with Bayes Business School, together they have created a custom one-week study programme with a curriculum that covers the history of banking and finance in the UK and reveals how London secured its role at the centre of global finance.
Victoria Báscones Liaño is Head of Postgraduate Studies at IEB. She commented:
This programme gives our students an unparalleled insight into London’s continuing role as a financial powerhouse. They learn from some of the capital’s foremost financial minds and come away with knowledge and enthusiasm which helps to shape their future careers.
World-leading academics and prestigious guest speakers
The most recent programme featured many of Bayes’ specialisms taught by world-leading academics from the Faculty of Finance.
They included: Current Developments in Finance and the UK, European and Global Economy, led by Professor Keith Cuthbertson; Asset Management Trends from Dr Dirk Nitzsche; Banking and FinTech in London taught by Dr Angela Gallo; Insurance Markets led by Dr Simone Krummaker; Shipping and Trade Finance led by Professor Nikos Nomikos; Capital Markets taught by Professor Richard Payne, Deputy Dean, and Private Equity - The Future led by Professor Roman Kraussl.
High profile guest speakers are also an integral part of the programme. The 2025 event welcomed guests including Mahmoud Fatouh, Senior Economist at the Bank of England, who gave an overview of London as a financial hub, and a brief history of the Bank and its functions. Bernd Hanke, Manager Partner and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Global Systematic Investors, offered his industry insight in a ‘future outlook’ session.
Ending the week, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Michael Mainelli, presented research data about the relative importance of different financial centres around the world, the characteristics required for success, and noted that Madrid has the potential to become a financial hub for the Spanish-speaking world.
The programme also featured a walking tour of the Square Mile focusing on financial sites from the Guildhall, Royal Exchange to the Stock Exchange and a gala dinner organised in collaboration with the Director of the IEB, Álvaro Martínez-Echevarría y García de Dueñas.
Spain’s leading centre of financial education
Founded in 1989 The Institutio de Estudios Bursátiles (IEB) in Madrid, has been leading financial education in Spain for more than 30 years. It was the first study centre in Spain dedicated exclusively to training in Finance, with a master’s degree in Stock Exchange and Financial Markets, unique at the time. Since then, more than 100,000 students and professionals have completed one of IEB’s educational programmes.
One of those students is José David Vidal Martínez, who attended the 2025 study programme. Speaking about his time in London, David said:
It was an immense privilege to be part of this programme. It was a demanding and enriching experience which brought together world-class academics and leading industry practitioners, who shared their expertise and insight. It was also a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas with my fellow participants. I returned to Madrid with renewed motivation and inspiration, eager to apply the knowledge and perspectives gained to the challenges ahead.
I am confident the programme will have a lasting impact on my professional and personal development.
Bayes’ Academic Director for the programme is Dr Dirk Nitzsche, Associate Professor in Finance and Associate Dean for International Relations. He said:
It is always a pleasure to welcome IEB’s students to Bayes for this programme. They are an engaged and dynamic group, always eager to learn, discuss and debate – which makes for a lively and intellectually stimulating experience. Their positive feedback helps shape the programme, and we look forward to partnering with IEB on future editions.
Contact us now to see how Bayes Executive Education can develop tailored programmes for you.
