Students from these London unis are most likely to become CEOs and business founders

This proves you don’t have to go to a Russell Group uni to be successful

3 years ago

In a recent 2021 study, Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance analysed data from millions of alumni to determine which UK universities produced the highest number of CEOs, Managing Directors (MD), and business founders.

They surveyed over 8.4 million former students who graduated in the last two decades from 121 UK universities.

A large number of London universities appeared in the top ten universities for both tables. So, without further ado, here are the eight London universities most likely to make you a CEO, MD, or business founder:

1. LSE

Unsurprisingly, LSE tops the charts for the university producing the largest number of CEOs and MDs. The London university even beats Cambridge and Oxford with a total of 15.98 per cent. LSE also comes in second for the London university with the most business founders.

2. UAL

UAL, however, ranks first overall for the uni producing the highest amount of business founders. It beats LSE, Oxford, and Cambridge and makes up a staggering 15.83 per cent of all those surveyed.

3. SOAS

SOAS is joint third with Oxford as the university producing most CEOs and MDs. It also comes in seventh place for the university producing the most CEOs and MDs.

4. Goldsmiths

Goldsmiths comes third after LSE for the uni with the most business founders. In other words, 12.25 per cent of Goldsmiths students go on to begin their own business ventures. Goldsmiths also ranks 12^th as the uni with the most alumni becoming CEOs.

5. London Metropolitan University

With a total 11.49 per cent, London Metropolitan University takes sixth place for the uni with the highest proportion of CEOs and MDs.

6. University of Westminster

University of Westminster falls right behind London Metropolitan University and ranks number seven in the league of top universities for producing CEOs and MDs.

7. UCL

UCL appears in the table of top universities for producing business founders. The UK’s biggest uni comes in at eighth place with a total 10.41 per cent of its alumni becoming entrepreneurs.

8. University for the Creative Arts

Lastly, the University for the Creative Arts takes ninth place for the uni with the most business founders – 10.13 per cent of their alumni go on to start their own companies.

The top 10 universities for producing CEOs and MDs:

The top 10 universities for producing business founders:

In response to the findings, Andy Dodd, Managing Director at Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance, said: “Our research proves that you don’t necessarily need to go to the top universities (according to the guides) to ensure you enjoy a highly successful business career.

“Many of the top universities for producing CEOs and business founders are among the lower ranked university guide schools, which should provide food for thought for many beginning the long process of applying for university. Hopefully, some of our research helps to inspire the next generation of small business owners!”