We caught up with two members of the EMEA Rising Career Network, Lucy Goodman, Business Development Analyst and James Sieyes, Junior ESG Analyst, to tell us more about themselves and their journey at Invesco so far...
So firstly can you tell us a bit more about your roles at Invesco?
Lucy:I am Business Development Analyst in the Institutional Sales Team. We primarily are seeking out new business in the UK Pension Market, Sovereign and Central Banking spaces.
James: As a Junior ESG Analyst within the Global ESG Team, my main responsibilities include producing company and sector level ESG research, as well as working across the global investment centres to support systematic ESG integration and thematic engagements.
Where have you worked previously?
Lucy: It’s been a strange two years due to the pandemic. I like to call myself a Covid graduate, as I left Durham in 2020 right in the middle of Lockdown 1, with just an email to congratulate me on my Geography degree. Highly anti-climactic! With little opportunity in terms of physical work experience, I decided to turn to the books and complete my IMC instead. This led on to a virtual internship with Brown Asset Management and finally my first proper role at Invesco.
James: I joined Invesco a month ago having finished a master's at Imperial College in Climate Change, Management and Finance. Outside of my studies, I took on a research fellowship at Finance For Impact, a Paris-based public policy advisory firm focused on sustainable finance, where I helped design the social screening and proofing process for the European Commission's InvestEU Fund, as well as delved into ESG issues in the space economy.
What were you most excited about before you joined us?
Lucy: Honestly, it was the little things. I was so excited to have my own work laptop, headset and monitor. I was also so excited to be part of team who were achieving quantifiable, real world outcomes. Studying at university was an incredibly fulfilling 3 years but by the end it became pretty abstract, so I was so excited (and am still) about being part of a process that has a wider purpose!
James: One of the key things that drew me to Invesco was its ambition to become a leading voice on ESG, through its thought leadership and industry collaboration across climate initiatives like Climate Action 100+. The prospect of helping a firm of Invesco's size along its journey to reallocating capital towards more sustainable businesses was particularly enticing, as it ultimately offers a greater opportunity to have an impact.
What do you think has been your greatest accomplishment since joining?
Lucy: I honestly think being part of the Rising Careers Network (RCN) and playing a hand in its growth and development. In the 5 months I have been at Invesco, we have taken some massive steps in solidifying our working group, setting up RCN month and watching as our hard work has helped other new starters, all of which has been incredibly rewarding.
James: Difficult to answer having only been here a month, but I'm particularly excited to be playing a part in supporting the implementation of Invesco's net zero commitment as part of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative - hopefully there will be something to show at the end of it!
What makes you feel motivated at work?
Lucy: I have always loved being part of a team, from playing sports at school and university to now. When I work with others who I respect, it spurs me on to try that little bit harder so we can achieve more together.
James: Two things: learning something new each day and feeling like I am working on something that has a greater purpose.
What would you like to achieve in the upcoming year at work?
Lucy: I have my sights set on completing my CFA ESG qualification, as I feel this is such a poignant topic in the industry at the moment. There is so much change that needs to happen in asset management and I would love to be part of the movement towards a more sustainable financial system.
James: My main goal at the moment is to sit the IMC and then see if I go on to the CFA from there - once I get my master's dissertation out of the way that is. Deepening my knowledge of the investment process will only help round out my understanding of the materiality of ESG issues.
What area of the company would you like to learn more about?
Lucy: I’m really keen to learn more about the investment side of things. I am intrigued about the investment research process and how our funds are managed.
James: I would really like to gain a better understanding of the investment process and how it varies across the different investment centres at Invesco. There’s also the whole client-facing side of the business I would like to learn about, particularly on the ESG front.
What has been your biggest achievement to date outside of work that affects you day to day?
Lucy:This will sound incredibly cliché but graduating during a pandemic. In the space of a week, we were forced home from Univeristy and all tutorials, lectures and exams were made virtual. I had no choice but to learn how to work efficiently and effectively at home and maintain focus while the outside world was plunged into chaos. This experience has been unapparelled, as it made me so much for flexible in how and where I work, without impacting the quality of what I am producing.
How has RCN helped you personally?
Lucy:It has given me access to other like-minded early risers, which is great both socially and professionally. As I am part of the working group, it has also taught me so much about operating in a team in a corporate environment, it has given me access to senior individuals who I would never have met otherwise, and it’s really tested my organisational skills!
James: As a new starter in the middle of the pandemic, the RCN really helped me meet a number of other early risers, as well as some Invesco veterans, who have been so kind in helping me settle in. Without the usual spontaneous introductions when bumping into each other in the office, I would likely not have connected with so many people.
Would you recommend joining the RCN?
Lucy: If you have just started out at Invesco or are at the beginning of your career, I cannot recommend it enough. Through participating in events, it has allowed me to build up my confidence and muddle my way through adapting to working life, all in a safe space.