Oluropo Olugbemi
EDHEC Business School
Afentra Plc
Available Saturday
Starting at 10:00 AM UTC
Questions?
You can start chatting with Oluropo before you get started.
I’m a finance professional with experience across investment banking and corporate finance. I started my career in banking, including time at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, before moving into corporate finance at Afentra, a listed energy company. Over the years, I’ve had to figure out a lot of things for myself — how to break into competitive finance roles, how to position my experience, how to navigate interviews and applications, and ultimately how to build a career that goes beyond simply getting the next job. I enjoy helping ambitious people work through those same questions, particularly students and early-career professionals interested in investment banking, corporate finance and finance more broadly. My approach is practical and honest. I’m not interested in giving you a generic checklist or telling you what you want to hear. I want to understand where you are, where you’re trying to get to, and help you work out the most sensible way of getting there.
Work with Oluropo
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Why do I coach?
I coach because I know how valuable it is to have someone who has already been through the process and is willing to give you an honest perspective. A lot of career advice can feel very theoretical. When I was trying to break into finance, I found that the most useful conversations were with people who could tell me what actually mattered, what didn’t, and where I was getting in my own way. I want to provide that for other people. I particularly enjoy working with ambitious people who know they want to achieve something but aren't quite sure how to translate that ambition into a clear plan. Sometimes that means working through an application or interview; sometimes it means figuring out how to position their story; and sometimes it's simply having someone challenge their thinking. I don't see coaching as telling someone what career they should have. It's helping them understand their options, make better decisions and leave the conversation with a clearer sense of what they need to do next.
Work Experience
M&A and Commercial
Afentra Plc
December 2023 - Present
M&A · Valuation · Financial Modelling · Commercial Analysis · Strategic Thinking Work at the center of M&A, financing, and asset-level decision making for a listed upstream energy company with operations in Africa. Lead financial modelling, valuation, and scenario analysis across acquisitions, refinancing, and capital allocation decisions. Prepare board-level materials, investment cases, and commercial assessments for senior management and external stakeholders. Engage with banks, advisors, and partners on financing structures, covenants, hedging, and transaction execution. Translate complex financial and commercial data into clear decision-ready insights.
Analyst, Investment Banking
Bank of America
April 2021 - November 2023
Skills Acquired: Investment Banking Fundamentals · Valuation (DCF, comps, transactions) · Financial Analysis · Attention to Detail · Working Under Pressure * Supported live investment banking transactions, contributing to financial models, valuation analyses, and pitch materials. * Performed company and industry analysis to support strategic and financing discussions. * Gained hands-on exposure to investment banking workflows, deadlines, and quality standards in a high-pressure environment. * Collaborated with senior bankers and deal teams across execution and client-facing workstreams.
Summer Investment Banking Analyst
Bank of America
June 2020 - August 2020
Project Finance Analyst
United Capital Plc
January 2019 - May 2019
Skills Acquired: Investment Analysis · Financial Modelling · Market Research · Analytical Thinking · Reporting & Insights * Supported investment analysis and corporate finance initiatives across multiple sectors. * Built and reviewed financial models to assess investment opportunities and strategic decisions. * Conducted market research, due diligence support, and performance analysis. * Developed early exposure to buy-side and advisory thinking.
Analyst, Investment Banking
Exotix
September 2018 - December 2018
Skills Acquired: Frontier & Emerging Markets · Financial Analysis · Macro & Risk Assessment · Research & Insights · Commercial Awareness * Worked on analysis and research focused on emerging and frontier markets. * Supported transaction and advisory work with financial modelling and country/company analysis. * Developed a strong understanding of macro, political, and market risk in investment decisions. * Assisted in preparing materials for internal and external stakeholders.
Education
EDHEC Business School
Masters, Finance
2019 - 2020
At EDHEC, I combined advanced finance coursework with leadership roles, acting as Class Rep to bridge student and faculty perspectives, and running peer tutorials to help classmates grasp complex topics. This experience sharpened my communication, teamwork, and cross-cultural collaboration skills in a diverse, international cohort.
Bowen University
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Accounting
2013 - 2017
Grade: First Class (Hons.) Completed a Bachelor of Accounting with distinction and held leadership roles including President of the Accounting Students Association, where I organized academic and professional development events. Involved in peer mentoring and delivering tutorials to junior students, strengthening financial fundamentals and fostering community engagement.