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Chris Graham

Trainee Proposal Writer |
School/College Leaver

Why do you enjoy your job?

I currently work in Client Development, specifically Global Proposals. Prior to my rotation I worked in Global Custody as a Tax team Account Manager. My current role includes putting together a bid with the view of winning a new client/piece of business. We work together with all arms of the organization, from operations to product & finance in order to tailor the bid to the needs of each specific proposal.

I enjoy my role mainly due to the exposure it gives me to the firm as a whole. My previous role in tax was very specialised, and although I learned a great deal, it didn’t really give me an insight into the industry. In my current role I am constantly in communication with teams which I previously didn’t even know existed, and this has allowed me to expand my network as well as my knowledge of the bank and financial sector.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

To begin with, the most challenging part was gaps in knowledge from working in an unrelated sector for so long after my studies. Once I had overcome this, I found the biggest challenge in my role was stakeholder management, by this I mean abiding by strict deadlines which rely on other teams. My team is responsible for putting together bids to win potential business/clients, and this involves speaking to (almost) every department in the firm, but departments have conflicting deadlines which means if expectations/priorities are not managed properly throughout the entire process then deadlines are in danger of being missed.

How did you get into your job?

To begin with, the most challenging part was gaps in knowledge from working in an unrelated sector for so long after my studies. Once I had overcome this, I found the biggest challenge in my role was stakeholder management, by this I mean abiding by strict deadlines which rely on other teams. My team is responsible for putting together bids to win potential business/clients, and this involves speaking to (almost) every department in the firm, but departments have conflicting deadlines which means if expectations/priorities are not managed properly throughout the entire process then deadlines are in danger of being missed.

What are your future aspirations?

Short term, I would like to complete the IOC qualification to further my knowledge of certain products and processes which are common in the financial world. Once I have completed this and gained any relevant experience, I would like to complete my IMC qualification and potentially CFA. I am interested in pursuing a career in sales within Global Markets.

How would you sum up your Investment20/20 experience?

I wouldn’t be headed in the direction I am without investment 20/20. It provided me a platform to “get my foot in the door” which I previously thought was near on impossible without a university education.

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