McGill Luxembourg Centre for Finance

The McGill Luxembourg Centre for Finance (MLCF) aims to advance finance education and leadership across Europe by combining academic excellence, industry relevance, and community engagement.

As a European extension of McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, the MLCF exists to serve as a dynamic academic hub advancing finance education, research, and industry engagement in the heart of Europe. Rooted in McGill’s global academic leadership and Luxembourg’s position as a leading financial centre, the MLCF supports the delivery of specialized graduate programmes, fosters applied learning opportunities, and creates meaningful connections between students, faculty, and financial professionals to address the evolving needs of the finance sector.

Our work is grounded in core values that reflect both the global reputation of McGill Desautels and the dynamism of Luxembourg’s financial ecosystem

The MLCF acts as McGill Desautels' financial presence in Europe, with the following objectives.

1. Support programme delivery
   Oversee the administration and operations of the McGill Master of Management in Finance (MMF) Luxembourg, a part-time blended programme aligned with local industry needs.

2. Expand experiential learning
   Facilitate international applied finance initiatives, including the growth of the Desautels Capital Management (DCM) programme and real-world investment training.

3. Engage the financial sector
   Promote knowledge-sharing through symposia, guest lectures, and public events that connect academia and industry.

4. Contribute to Workforce Development
   Equip professionals in Luxembourg with the skills and insights needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving financial landscape, with a strong focus on asset management—including mutual funds, hedge funds, and pension funds—as well as private equity and international capital markets.

McGill Luxembourg Centre for Finance People

Founding partnerships and support

A collaborative vision to advance finance and education

The McGill Luxembourg Centre for Finance was made possible through a landmark endowment agreement signed on June 18, 2025, between McGill University and key institutional and industry partners in Luxembourg. These founding partners and collaborators, representing government, banking, investment funds, and economic development, share a common goal: to strengthen Luxembourg’s global position in financial leadership through academic excellence and talent development.

Founding partners

Government of Luxembourg – Ministry of Finance
The Ministry of Finance, under the leadership of Minister Gilles Roth, played a pivotal role in establishing the Centre and supporting the launch of McGill’s first European-based graduate finance programme. The government views this initiative as a strategic investment in human capital, directly aligned with its national goal of enhancing the visibility and credibility of Luxembourg as an international financial hub.

“The establishment of McGill University in Luxembourg is a major recognition of the attractiveness and credibility of our financial centre. This initiative is fully aligned with our ambition to attract top international talent and to enhance the country’s visibility and promotion on the global stage.”
Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance

Luxembourg Bankers’ Association (ABBL)
As a long-standing advocate for innovation and continuous development in the financial sector, the ABBL supports the Centre as part of its mission to raise the value of educational offerings in Luxembourg. Its involvement ensures that the programme is relevant to the current and future needs of banking professionals, both local and international.

“One of the ABBL's priorities is to enhance the attractiveness of the financial sector by helping to offer high value-added educational courses that meet the aspirations of both Luxembourg residents and talented individuals from abroad, as well as the continuing training needs of our members.”
Jerry Grbic, CEO, ABBL

Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI)
ALFI’s support reinforces its commitment to strengthening the talent pipeline for Luxembourg’s fund industry. The Centre’s integration of practical experience through initiatives like the Desautels Capital Management fund reflects ALFI’s vision for education that goes beyond theory to build the hands-on skills essential for success in today’s fund management environment.

“McGill’s unique blend of world-class academic insight and practical experience aligns perfectly with the needs of ALFI’s members and supports Luxembourg’s ambition to move further up the value chain.”
Serge Weyland, CEO, ALFI

Collaborators

Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Commerce supports the programme by providing physical facilities through its centrally located Training Centre, demonstrating its belief in the power of education to drive economic development. The collaboration reflects the Chamber’s broader mission to support business growth through workforce development and strategic partnerships.

“Education is key to sustainable growth. We are proud to support McGill’s entry into Luxembourg and believe this collaboration will enhance both the academic and economic fabric of our nation.”
Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg