Our Culture

• Degree(s):BEng in Civil Engineering
• Location:London
• Job title:Analyst - Global Client Group, U.K. Institutional Business
• Group:Global Client Group

My role on the account management side of the UK Institutional business has given me the opportunity to liaise with a range of clients directly. Working closely with the product specialists and portfolio managers, I've gained insight into the workings of the investment management industry.

A Challenging Career

I wanted to start my career at one of the biggest players, with a committed career development programme and a clear goal to lead in the industry. BlackRock has continued to grow and earn its place as the investment manager of choice.  Working in the industry has provided me with a challenging career and has given me a broad exposure to a range of investment products and the capital markets.

Contributing to the Firm's Success

While my degree is not related to finance, its grounding in mathematics has helped with my day-to-day work. I have learnt a large amount about finance and the investment process over the last year due to the nature of my work and also in my studies for the IMC and CFA qualifications. The most satisfying part of my role so far has been working on a team that is winning business and contributing to the firm's success.

7:30 a.m. – Check for issues/report to clients. I start the day by checking emails to see if any issues have arisen overnight on the global portfolios I look after. I then send out any daily emails that clients require, these include trade reports and valuations.

8:00 a.m. – The markets. Take half an hour to read up about what is going on in the markets.

9:15 a.m. – Team update. Team meeting to update everyone on what is going on in each section of the institutional business.

9:45 a.m. – Prepare presentation. Pull together a presentation ahead of a monthly conference call with a client tomorrow; this will involve liaising with the product specialists to ensure that it is suitable.

11:00 a.m. – Respond to queries. Respond to some ad hoc client queries, providing valuations, market commentaries, ensure money is available for redemptions, etc. This involves direct contact with the clients I look after.

11:30 a.m. – Update on cross-selling project. Meeting to discuss any progress that the team has made on a cross selling project, which aims to provide additional investment solutions to our current clients. Complete any follow up required as a result of the meeting.

1:30 p.m. – Projects and data. Complete some more project work and chase up some data I am trying to source for a client.

3:30 p.m. – Meet with Equity team. Update meeting with the UK Equity team on performance for quarter-to-date and overview of the current market themes and our strategies.

4:30 p.m. – Discuss sales flyer. Meeting in canteen over coffee to discuss a sales flyer we are putting together to send to prospects and current clients.

5:00 p.m. – Send presentation to client. Having had sign off on the presentation book for tomorrow's call, I send the book out to the client.

6:00 p.m. – Prepare for tomorrow. Follow up on any outstanding tasks that have arisen over the day, clear inbox and check calendar for tomorrow.

6:30 p.m. – Head home.