Why do you enjoy your job?
As a product developer, I help the firm to keep its product suite fresh, relevant and compliant. This includes a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing legal documents such as the prospectus for the funds, updating Key Investor Information Documents (KIIDs) which retail clients use to help decide whether to invest in a fund or creating fund change proposals to be presented internally to the global strategy group.
My role encompasses both hard and soft skills, using data analysis and evaluation to draw conclusions, and then presenting these findings to other teams in the business. Co-ordinating these projects requires good teamwork and communication skills. Having studied Economics and Finance at university, I find the analytical side of the job really interesting, and coming from a sports background I’m used to working within a team environment, so the role captures my skill set quite well.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Undoubtedly – 18 months on – every day is still a huge learning curve. I am constantly thrust into new projects which have an identified end goal (e.g. launching a new fund), but how I actually get to that point isn’t always as well defined. This means that there is a lot of exploratory work, talking to people across the business and building out a pathway to meet the final objective. I find this the most challenging aspect of my role; however, it keeps me engaged and switched-on every day, and prevents any day becoming repetitive!
How did you get into your job?
I came into my role a few months after having graduated from university. I came across the Investment20/20 website and explored some of the associated companies. I applied for Janus Henderson and was quickly offered a phone, and then final interview. The turnaround was very quick and I had to move down to London within a number of weeks. This was quite stressful (and potentially a risk for a 12-month contract) but I felt like this was a great way to start my career, which has most definitely paid off. Investment2020’s informative events gave me a wider knowledge base about the industry more broadly throughout my trainee year, and I was lucky enough to be selected to attend the City Yacht Club charity sailing regatta.
Ultimately, the Investment20/20 programme has helped me to establish a network of other young people in the industry, and as time goes by, I expect this to become even more valuable than it has been so far.
What are your future aspirations?
Over the medium term I most definitely see myself remaining in asset management. I really enjoy the way in which we look at the business from the product development and distribution sides, and I am keen to continue building my knowledge and experience in these areas. As I get older, I may look to roles which further combine product knowledge with presentation of this to prospective clients or institutions. This could be an investment director or product specialist role.
How would you sum up your Investment20/20 experience?
I’d highly recommend the Investment20/20 experience. As a kick start to your career, there isn’t anything comparable within the asset management industry. I’ve recommended it to plenty of my friends and one has actually managed to secure a trainee role here at Janus Henderson too!
A great platform to spread the message about what asset management is and why it’s important to us as a society.
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