At the age of just 26, Oliver Teller has already gone through international secondary education in another country, taken part in voluntary community work in Ghana, successfully completed internships in banking and finance, participated in the takeover of a professional football club, completed BSc studies at Bayes Business School and started his career at NORD/LB. If this was not enough, he has also played a key role in the creation of a new scholarship at Bayes designed to increase access for women to positions in finance. If ever there were a perfect example of ‘learning by doing’, Oliver’s story so far is one.
What was your background prior to studying at Bayes?
“I grew up in Germany, spending my childhood in Hamburg and Frankfurt as part of a British expatriate family. I attended an international school and completed the International Baccalaureate (IB), which provided a broad academic foundation but did not immediately narrow my career focus.
“While I had a general interest in finance and banking, I used the time after school to explore a wide range of options. Rather than taking a traditional gap year, I focused on gaining practical experience to better understand which career path suited me.”
What experience did you acquire during this period?
“I undertook internships across different sectors, benefitting from hands-on exposure to industrial operations and aircraft maintenance. I also worked in an entry-level role on a container ship for several months, travelling across the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific Oceans. These experiences were challenging, but while manual and operational work can be fulfilling, it was not a sustainable long-term career choice for me.
“As a result, I began to concentrate on more focused roles within finance. I completed an internship in private equity in Hamburg, working on an M&A process for agricultural businesses in Eastern Europe, which confirmed my interest in the sector. I later interned in private banking sales at a German bank’s London branch, gaining experience in structured products and derivatives. Although sales itself was not my long-term ambition, the experience reinforced my desire to pursue a career in banking more broadly, which ultimately led me to Bayes.”
You also found the time to volunteer in a community development initiative in Ghana.
“This resulted from a long-standing partnership between my school in Hamburg and a school in Ghana focused on fundraising, knowledge sharing, and infrastructure development. The project culminated in a visit to Ghana, where we helped build and equip a computer lab, including the installation of networking infrastructure. It was a highly rewarding experience that broadened my perspective and remains meaningful to me today.”
What convinced you to take the next step of studying at Bayes?
“I chose to study Business with Finance at Bayes because of its strong reputation among career advisers, recruiters, and alumni, as well as its emphasis on quantitative skills and practical learning. It became clear from prior internships that finance was the right fit for me, and Bayes offered an academically rigorous programme combined with smaller group teaching and close engagement with industry—an approach that aligned well with how I learn and develop.”
What were the key takeaways from the programme?
“One of the most valuable aspects was its emphasis on small group learning and close engagement with industry. Working directly with companies and applying theory in practical settings suited my learning style, as I learn best by doing.
“Academically, the programme introduced many new concepts that were initially theoretical but later brought to life through practical application. I regularly find concepts resurfacing in my current role, often in ways that suddenly “click.” Whether through financial modelling and valuation techniques or the development of soft skills learned from Bayes’ Critical Thinking module, the learning has proven highly transferable to the workplace.
“Overall, the programme helped confirm my interest in finance as a long-term career path, while also giving me the confidence to explore different opportunities and enjoy the process of finding the right direction.”
You were also involved in an investment project in football. How did this come about?
“The opportunity arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a consortium of German investors acquired a football club (Dunfermline AFC), in Scotland. Due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, they needed someone on the ground to represent them during the transition phase. I spent approximately six months working across a range of responsibilities, from budgeting player wages and transfers to handling day-to-day operational tasks. The role offered a unique, holistic view of club management and was an invaluable learning experience.
“Sport presents particular challenges when it comes to maintaining professional objectivity, as performance on the pitch directly affects everything off it—from morale to finances. It is a results-driven industry in the truest sense, and that dynamic was fascinating to experience.”
You now work as an Associate at NORD/LB. How did you secure the position?
“At the time I applied, NORD/LB’s London branch was significantly smaller and did not widely advertise roles. My interest in project finance—reinforced by a module at Bayes—and my desire to work in renewable energy made the bank a natural fit, as NORD/LB is a key player in renewable project finance.
“As there were no advertised openings, I sent a handwritten letter to the Head of HR. A few weeks later, I was invited to interview and was subsequently offered a place on the Structured Finance Qualification Programme. This ran for 16 months, leading to a permanent role in the Portfolio Management team focusing on renewable energy projects across Europe. I remain in the team today, which has since evolved into the Portfolio Management and Execution team. We are now more closely involved in new business, including deal structuring and negotiations.”
You have played a key role in the creation of the Bayes Women in Finance Scholarship. What were the motives behind this?
“When I joined NORD/LB, the London branch was relatively small, but it has grown by around 40% since. With that growth came greater scope to contribute beyond day-to-day roles. It was clear to many of us that, while representation at our branch is stronger than average, there is still a significant imbalance of women in finance more broadly.
“Together with colleagues, we developed the idea of a women-only scholarship aimed at supporting talented students from local communities in and around London who require financial assistance. The aim was not only to promote greater diversity in the industry but also to give back to the community we work in and take tangible action rather than simply acknowledging the issue.
How does the scholarship operate?
“The scholarship supports two students per year and is intended to run on a long-term basis. It has been an extremely rewarding and meaningful initiative. We chose Bayes deliberately. I had an excellent student experience there, and our London branch already has a strong Bayes alumni presence, making it a natural partner.
“The project received enthusiastic support at every level and was approved remarkably quickly. From initial discussions in May 2024, the scholarship was fully approved within months. The initiative was driven by a small group, including myself, my colleague Amelia Tatford, members of the HR team, and strong backing from senior management, demonstrating widespread commitment to the cause.”
What advice would you give to readers considering a similar path to yours?
“Before starting university, gain exposure to as many industries as possible. You may discover interests you had not previously considered, whether in finance, logistics, sales, or operations. Experience is often the only way to identify what suits you.
“Once you find something you enjoy, commit fully to it—but remain flexible. Choosing the wrong path is not irreversible, and changing direction is far better than persisting with something that does not align with your interests. Finally, resilience is crucial: challenges are inevitable, and learning not to be discouraged by early setbacks is a key part of long-term success.”
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