What’s your current role – and what does this involve?
I am a graduate investment analyst within the DC team at Broadstone. I support the team with investment advice to some of our largest DC clients, while coordinating our central investment reporting function. I also support various aspects of the DC governance delivery to our trust-based clients.
What’s the best thing about your job — and the worst?
The best part of my role is being able to combine the analytical aspects of my job such as investment analysis and performance monitoring with the ability to interact with a wide variety of people across client, providers or colleagues. I am fortunate to work in a small team supported by people with many years of experience in the industry and am grateful for the opportunity to interact and converse with them every day.
It is hard to say what the worst aspect of my role would be, but most likely the repetitiveness of the regulatory aspects — although I understand and appreciate the importance and need for such.
What made you apply for a job in the pension industry?
As a graduate, I never gave much thought to my pension nor realised its importance. This position provided me with an entrée into finance and a great opportunity to gain exposure to this large financial sector in the UK economy.
Where would you like to be working in 10 years’ time?
The pensions industry offers various career paths with great potential for career advancement. I have been encouraged and given the opportunity by Broadstone to further my training through the graduate programme and am currently preparing for my CFA level 3 exam. By enhancing my skills and knowledge, I am working on an upward career trajectory. Broadstone is in an exciting growth period, and I am hoping to take advantage of this in the coming years.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The two pieces of advice I have received which resonated with me are “Ignore the noise” and “Never stop learning”. This allows me to focus on the task at hand and always strive to better myself.
What should the pensions industry be doing to attract more young people into it, and to engage younger savers?
Pensions and savings do not have the most glamorous connotation for younger people, so it is important to create an attitude shift. I think the first step would be to convey the importance of saving for the future, as
today’s society is about instant gratification. Use of social media marketing is critical to reach the younger generation.
What was your dream job when you were at school?
At school, I only ever looked forward to my mathematics class where I could solve problems so I always envisioned myself in a large corporate financial role. With the passage of time, I have been able to refine this into specific areas of future specialisation.
What secret superpower do you have — and what would you like to perform your job better?
I would say my secret superpower is my determination to succeed. This provides the motivation and drive to be hardworking and gives me the focus to complete whatever tasks lie ahead.
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