We caught up with Charlotte, a Trainee Investment Manager at Evelyn Partners to hear about her unique journey to the firm, from studying Engineering to entering the investment industry. She also shared her advice for others looking to apply to the company.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
My journey to Investment Management began when I started thinking about the career path I wanted to follow. I originally began studying my integrated Masters in Engineering at Cambridge University before completing a Masters in Finance at Bath.
I realised through studying Engineering that, although I enjoyed learning about it, it wasn’t something I was passionate about. With this realisation, I applied to do an internship as a way to gain corporate experience help kickstart my career.
My interest in investment management was sparked during my final year at Cambridge after I attended an event run by Girls Are Investors (GAIN), a charity aimed at increasing gender diversity in investing. It was at this event that I gained a flavour of what to expect from life in the industry and was inspired to explore how I could begin building a career in investment management.
Fast forward to September last year when I joined Evelyn Partners with no previous experience in investment management – despite this I was really excited to see what it had to offer and ready to take on a new challenge.
What stood out to you about Evelyn Partners when applying for opportunities?
Through my research of different investment management firms in London, it became clear to me that Evelyn Partners was one of the best in the business.
A big drawcard for me was the fact that trainees are given a lot of responsibility from day one, with exposure to a wide range of industries and the opportunity to work closely with the clients than you might get to do until later in your career at a larger firm (this has definitely been my experience so far!).
Perhaps more importantly, there is a big focus on collaboration and investment in people at all levels through mentoring and internal and external training (the company sponsors all of the essential training programmes required for you to achieve your qualifications!).
How did you find the application process for Evelyn Partners?
I enjoyed the application process which consisted of a phone interview an assessment and an interview with a partner. Job interviews can be stressful, however, that wasn’t my experience with Evelyn Partners. The partner interview was very much a two-way conversation that gave me the chance to showcase my abilities and personality, ask questions about the role and the company, and understand what a day in the life of a Trainee Investment Manager at the company might look like.
What is a ‘normal day’ like as a trainee?
Typically, my day begins with an investment meeting where the team gets a summary of what’s happening in the market, broader macroeconomic trends and an update from sector specialists. Throughout the rest of my day, I may also attend meetings with investors and external fund managers. Participating in these meetings has given me great insight into the industry and how it operates. I also get hands-on experience with a variety of tasks — from undertaking portfolio reviews and rebalancing, to creating client proposals. One of my favourite parts of the role is conducting research into stocks and funds and identifying new investment areas that my team could add to their portfolio.
As well as learning on the job, I also benefit from a structured development programme which will soon see me complete my Investment Advice Diploma before moving onto a more advanced stage where I can become a Chartered Wealth Manager.
How would you describe the culture at Evelyn Partners?
Collegiate and collaborative. Not only is everyone an expert in their own field and amazing at what they do, but they are always willing to help. As a relatively new joiner, I’ve found it to be a really supportive environment where colleagues are on-hand to help when you need it. I’ve even found this to be true for the partners as the firm’s flat hierarchy means there are no barriers to approaching senior leaders.
There is also a big emphasis on work-life balance which is really important to me.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying to Evelyn Partners?
You don’t need extensive knowledge of the investment industry to apply, you just need to show a genuine interest and a willingness to learn. Evelyn Partners doesn’t expect you to go in as an expert, they want to see that you have really thought about why you are passionate about the industry and that you are motivated to learn.
Be your authentic self. The firm wants people who are going to be a great fit with their culture and are going to make a positive impact on the firms’ success. Each year they take on graduates from a range of backgrounds, with everyone offering something unique to the team.
Whatever your experience, Evelyn Partners wants to hear from you — find out more about the firm here.