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How did you secure a role in the industry?
“After completing my A Levels, I decided it would be a good idea to take 12 months to build up some work experience before heading off to university. I took the not-so-sophisticated approach of setting up an alert for any job containing the word ‘trainee’, figuring that I was just setting out and a role that would provide training would be best. I received an alert for a ‘Trainee Administration Assistant’ for a stockbroking business (EFG Harris Allday) and decided that working in stockbroking sounded very exciting. Note, this was 2009 and some 5 years before the release of The Wolf of Wall Street! I was successful in my application and began a 12-month training programme rotating across four teams within the Operations area.”
What path have you taken to build your career in Financial Services?
“Originally, I’d intended to spend 12 months in the role before heading to university, and I am still here more than 13 years later! After completing the trainee scheme, I was placed in the Corporate Actions team. As my experience and knowledge has grown, my time here has been very progressive, and I am now in the role of Deputy Head of Operations. I made the decision to commit to learning on the job rather than university, taking as many relevant qualifications as possible - including the CISI level 6 post-graduate diploma in Investment Operations.
I am mindful that I have only been with one business in the financial services industry. For this reason, I attend as many networking / CPD events as I can, and I also sit on the exam panel with the CISI for the Global Operations Management paper, which allows me to build relationships with peers from other firms. I always have someone to call on for advice or thoughts on how other businesses are approaching the same challenges we face.
I continue to operate with a mindset that we should never stop learning and I think this has been key to continuing to build my career in the industry. Recently, I have been focusing on leadership and management courses, and engaging with an external professional coach.”
Any advice for those starting in the industry?
“Knowledge is the simple bit. The technical skills required can always be taught, but it is your values and how you apply yourself which will be key to your success. When I joined EFG Harris Allday in 2009, I certainly didn’t know an equity from a bond, but I did know that it was important to be proactive in what you do, take ownership in providing solutions and see things through to completion.
I would say when talking to prospective employers, don’t only focus on your ability to learn technical skills, but also promote and articulate your willingness to truly understand why things are done, a respect for delivering on time and a desire to exceed expectations wherever you can.
Other than that, commit to the opportunity and make sure you have fun in working in what is a truly exciting and challenging industry.”