Three months after its official opening, 43 Parker Street welcomed over 150 London-based alumni for a festive evening focused on sharing and networking. With Hawaiian flower necklaces, a cocktail bar, and karaoke, let’s take a look back at these hours of networking with a new twist.

 

June 21st: For some, this date resonates with the music festival, while for others, it marks the first day of summer. In the community of alumni in London, it’s the summer party. “Some alumni are discovering the HEC UK House today, while others are already regular visitors. In any case, we hope that every graduate present in London will embrace this house, and we decided to organize a very festive evening with salsa, karaoke, and cocktails to introduce it to them,” explains Delphine Mourot (H.03), the director of this London branch, wearing an elegant dress with pink and green flowers that set the tone for the evening.

Glasses clink, groups form, and the ground floor of the UK House, bathed in light, remains crowded. Some had planned to meet and those who have yet to meet, but everyone comes with the desire to connect and come together. “Alumni want to relax and have fun. It’s networking and a great moment of conviviality,” says Delphine with a smile.

Nastassja Maharaj (E.19) left Doha, where she was in charge of the supply chain for Qatar Airlines. This South African native now resides in London and has been working at Diageo, the wine, beer, and spirits group, for a few months. She does not know anyone and came tonight to meet some members of this vibrant community. The same goes for Kirti Daryanani, who graduated this year with an Executive MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Originally from Aruba, a small island in the Dutch Antilles located off the coast of Venezuela, she speaks seven languages, and it was in English that she delivered her speech at the graduation ceremony on the Jouy-en-Josas campus two weeks ago. Tonight, some recognize her, and conversations begin. This newly London-based individual, who lives three hours away from Holborn, where we are, has no regrets about the trip. Chicken bites, tuna tatakis, champagne, and petits fours are offered by SG Kleinwort Hambros. “Many of our clients are HEC alumni, and it’s important to contribute to the development of the Francophile community since we are the only French private bank based in the United Kingdom,” explains Jeremy de Lagarde, the director of this private bank, who is also part of the celebration. Savory dishes make way for artisanal and organic Festok ice cream, the new must-have for customers at Harrods. Guests enjoy their treats as the volume rises, and Rémy Cointreau cocktails soon replace champagne flutes. Here, French is spoken, there, English, and a little further, Russian. Anna Logacheva (H.21) is 28 years old. This Russian, who speaks perfect French, moved to London a few months ago to open Inkeepit, her international communication agency. She converses in Russian with Alexis Grabar (MBA.02), co-founder of CXB Hub, about the war in Ukraine and its consequences for the Russian people. A bit further away, Ghislain Huyghues Despointes (M.02), Chief of Staff at NATO, discusses geopolitics with Christophe Malherbe (MBA.03), a longtime friend.

It’s almost midnight, and some are clearing glasses and plates, but the guests continue to exchange conversations. “Wherever we are in the world, the community gathers,” rejoices Éloïc Peyrache, wearing a flower necklace around his neck, the Dean of HEC Paris, who made the trip that evening. Whether it’s in Singapore, New York, Hong Kong, Doha, or here in London, people enjoy coming together. This strength of the community is also instrumental for the School.”

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