With more than 15 years’ experience at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation, Juhee Ahn is an expert on risk management. But simply climbing the corporate ladder was never the end goal for her.
Studying banking regulation at the University of Bristol to shape the future of financial policy
With more than 15 years’ experience at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation, Juhee Ahn is an expert on risk management. But simply climbing the corporate ladder was never the end goal for her.
Juhee is determined to use her expertise to make meaningful change in the financial sector: shaping ideas, influencing policy, and building financial resilience on a global scale. And studying in the UK with a fully funded Chevening Scholarship is helping her to turn this ambition into reality.
We interviewed Juhee to find out more.
‘My time in public finance sparked a deep interest in financial stability,’ Juhee explains. ‘I’ve specialised in risk management for financial companies and recently expanded into financial resolution work.’
However, international conferences and exposure to global financial systems made her realise she needed broader global insight and stronger English skills to operate confidently on the world stage.
‘In non-English Korea, exposure to global finance dialogue can be limited. So I committed to over a decade of British Council English classes. That deepened my fascination with UK culture and made living and studying in the UK a personal aspiration.’
The UK’s leadership in financial systems was a decisive factor.
‘The UK is a global leader in financial systems, and its swift handling of the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) crisis was particularly impressive to me. I believed the UK’s approach could offer valuable lessons for Korea.’
For Juhee, Chevening was the perfect fit.
‘Chevening unites global talent leaders… I’m deeply grateful for this community.’
‘I elected my universities based on course content, focusing on programmes combining finance and regulation, particularly in banking stability and crisis management. I researched their reputations and gathered feedback from current students and alumni through online platforms and UK education fairs, which gave me valuable insights into university environments and academic quality.’
The University of Bristol quickly emerged as Juhee’s first choice, not least because of its exceptional modules on banking regulations, which are ‘an essential part of effective financial policy’. The faculty’s cutting-edge research, coupled with its impressive connections to industry, solidified her decision to apply.
‘Bristol’s strong connections with central banks and international organisations like the IMF and World Bank offer invaluable networking opportunities.’
Now six months into her master’s in Banking, Regulation, and Financial Stability, Juhee is embracing everything that the University of Bristol has to offer.
Through empirical coursework and statistical analysis using Stata, she is developing evidence-based approaches to policy evaluation.
‘These modules equip me to analyse sources of instability, assess regulatory impacts, and balance financial stability with market freedom, essential capabilities for financial policy work.’
Beyond the technical training, it is Bristol’s culture that has left a lasting impression.
‘Bristol’s “curious and creative” spirit is genuinely lived out in everyday teaching. One of my tutors often reminded us, “There’s no silly question in Bristol,” which captures how the university encourages bold inquiry and academic curiosity.’
She also values the diverse cohort of professionals and academics who bring curiosity into every discussion.
‘Real-world case studies and hands-on empirical work in banking regulation and financial stability modules are especially exciting, as they teach us to question assumptions and search for robust, evidence-based solutions.
‘This questioning, evidence-driven culture is Bristol at its best and the thing I value most. It is shaping the way I think about regulatory innovation and my future role in financial stability leadership.’
When Juhee completes her studies and returns home to Korea, she aims to use the knowledge gained from the University of Bristol and the connections formed through her Chevening Scholarship to become a thought leader in financial stability.
‘I will contribute enhancing resolution strategies by introducing insights from the UK’s Recovery and Resolution Plans (RRP), particularly for non-bank sectors like securities and insurance. Additionally, I will leverage my Chevening network to foster knowledge and personnel exchanges, introducing cutting-edge financial cases and regulatory approaches that strengthen our financial sector’s global competitiveness.’
‘Through these efforts, I aim to bridge UK and Korean financial expertise for mutual resilience.’
We can’t wait to follow Juhee’s journey. In the meantime, explore more inspiring stories from our Chevening community.
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