Clockwise from top left: speed networking; presentation by Brian Sloan, Bank of England Deputy Agent; pitching to the Liver Birds; Fundopoly
The two-day Careers in Investment Management Insight Conference, which included opportunities to learn more about the industry, meet practitioners and develop in-demand employability skills, was the culmination of a work experience week for 27 students, some of whom had spent the previous three days following a comprehensive work experience programme in Liverpool investment firms Blankstone Sington, Investec Wealth & Investment and Tilney Bestinvest.
Hosted by Rathbone Investment Management and organised by the CISI and the Liverpool, Chester & North Wales CISI Committee, the conference included a Liver Bird’s Den session (as opposed to Dragon’s Den!), where local leading practitioners and VIPs – ‘Liver Birds’ – judged the students' investment pitches.
Our Liver Birds were senior investment directors David Owen and Simon Fontes from Investec Wealth & Investment; Craig Clifford, director, client service delivery at Pershing; Liverpool City councillors Jane Corbett and Becky Hellard; and Liverpool City Council’s director of finance and resources.
Further representatives from local firms were involved in the conference, alongside those offering students work experience. Staff from Pershing, Rathbone Investment Management, SL Investment, Pavis Financial Management and Marshall Moore – financial services recruitment company – were involved. Activities included Pershing/BNY Mellon’s very popular Fundopoly investment game and a fast and furious speed-networking session with practitioners.
John Haynes, director of Liverpool’s International Coaching Academy and a personal success expert, involved the students in an exciting interactive workshop with the purpose of increasing their performance, motivation and self-belief. Brian Sloan, Bank of England deputy agent for the north west, presented the responsibilities of the Bank, an overview of the current economic climate and a fascinating insight into the impact of Brexit.
Interactive workshop with John Haynes
Students attending the conference from Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, King David High School and St John Bosco Arts College, take their CISI qualifications through Liverpool City Council’s Liverpool Learning Partnership CISI-sponsored programme, delivered through Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College.
Students also attended from West Derby School, St Anselm’s College and Studio@Deyes, which will be offering CISI qualifications to its students from September. Other students interested in finding out more about a career in the industry came from Carmel College and Helsby High School.
At the end of the week, Gillian Tett, US managing editor of the Financial Times, journalist and author gave an insightful and thought-provoking presentation on the current state of play in the economy to students and practitioners, following which she answered some tricky questions and awarded prizes to outstanding students from the course of the week.
The event took place at Tilney’s offices in the Royal Liver Building, and was arranged by Liverpool City Councillor Jane Corbett and the CISI Liverpool, Chester & North Wales Committee.
James Charlton, Chartered FCSI, Tilney fund manager and president of the CISI Liverpool, Chester & North Wales branch, said: “As a committee we work tirelessly to create opportunities for students but I have to thank our members, and the member firms for the overwhelming support they have given us, to make our second annual Investment Management Insight week a resounding success.
“It never ceases to amaze me how passionate our members are about education and the development of others. Over the course of the last academic year, we have credited our members with over 300 hours of CPD, through activities such as classroom support and one-to-one mentoring, and without them, the region’s education programme would not be so fruitful.
“It’s widely recognised that if you’re seeking a career in wealth management, outside of London, Liverpool is the place to be and we are committed to educating, developing and retaining the next generation of talented investment professionals in our city, and it’s fantastic to get Gillian’s backing as of one of the world’s most respected financial authors and journalists.”