Kalm Paul-Christian - Triumphing over adversity in society, education and work.

Kalm Paul-Christian grew up in a deprived neighbourhood in London. He talks about how he overcame the challenges he faced at school, university and in his career and personal life, and shares his life lessons with us in this podcast. Kalm Paul-Christian FRSA, Investment Banker, One Young Word Ambassador, is working in FIG M&A at one of the UK’s preeminent banking institutions. He began his career in Rothschild & Co’s Global Financial Advisory Division before joining The Social Investment Consultancy advising corporates, large funds and charities on social investment and social impact prior to returning to investment banking. A keen advocate for social mobility and international development, Kalm has served advisory roles for the University of Oxford, Sponsors of Educational Opportunity London, The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, Common Purpose International, Ethical Angels and The Social Investment Consultancy. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford, Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Freeman of the City of London, and member of the Global Nexus angel investor network for philanthropists and social investors. Most significant of all, he is a proud father of a curious 3 year old girl. Kalm grew up on east London’s notorious Beaumont Estate in Leyton, throughout the early 2000’s into 2010 before the main estate was demolished, where he attended a state school that entered into special measures. He was forced to relocate from the area after his mother’s car was shot at, and the police relocated him to another borough. He temporarily lived with his father until his house was burned down and was forced to move again. As a result he was almost removed from the grammar school he had gotten into for my A-level studies due to breaching the catchment area. Despite these challenges he eventually graduated from the University of Oxford here served numerous prestigious roles, including Vice President of both the Oxford Business Guild and the Oxford University African and Caribbean Society. He is quoted as saying: “I almost lost the opportunity I had to use education as a means of transitioning beyond my immediate environment. For that reason I have been forever committed to preserving education, and access to opportunity for future generations as a means of social mobility.”