“My time at Schroders Investment Management Limited, London UK”

“My time at SchrodersInvestment Management Limited,London UK”” - Report bySiseko JoxoTrainee Investment Analyst at Argon AssetManagementSiseko JoxoClass of 2012Alum Schroders/Argon Graduate Trainee ProgrammeB Com (Accounting) UWCCandidate; CFA Level 2, IMC (UK)IntroductionThe tube, the cab, St Paul’s Cathedral, the chard,coupled with the mid-day drink at the pub and theall round banter of derivatives, markets, the PIGS,Euro zone, Draghi and the Cliff. Welcome to theCity, also known as London. This was my home for4 months, a bustling place where everyone seemsalways on the go. This report serves to share myexperiences during my stay in the City. The reportwill cover our arrival in London, my training, thedesk and the people I met and spent time withduring my stay.The ArrivalAre we in Cape Town? That’s the first thoughtthat crossed my mind when, on the way from theairport we encountered a black Mercedes (C63 ofcourse) thumping loud music and a young fellowwith over applied gel and shades at the wheel.A familiar scene back home, maybe we would fitright in after all. Passing Trafalgar square, seeingthose majestic lions, it began to sink in that wewere in London, the driver who clearly thought hewas related to Enzo Ferrari (he was Italian) with hisdriving , would not give us the time to even savourthe moment. So home we went, by home I mean abeautiful 2 bedroom apartment on the wait for it,10th floor with a balcony and a view. I was nevercoming back home.The next two days we spent on learning about ourenvironment and preparing for the beginning of ourjourney at Schroders Investment Management.The TrainingOur time at Schroders began with a brief welcomingand induction by Ms Shan Nelson, graduaterecruitment and training coordinator. We werethen handed over to Kevin Boyle, who would be ourfinance and asset management foundation trainerfor a period of two weeks. Initally we covered anintroduction to the industry, presentation skills,economics, interest rates and forex, fixed incomeand finally an introduction to derivatives and creditanalysis.Later we covered equity markets and valuation,derivatives, alternative investments and structuredproducts and ended of the program with portfoliomanagement principles.Although the above might seem technical andmechanical, there were numerous activitiessurrounding this core curriculum. Presentationskills were deemed important by our instructorKevin and as such during these sessions, we weresplit into various teams and instructed to presenton the theme being covered in the session. Eachday a team also had to present on a financiallyrelated topic. We were encouraged to critiqueeach other constructively and we did so, withpraises also being given where they were due.Our final presentation was a sales pitch to MrAlan Brown, the Global Chief Investment Officerof Schroders, acting as a pension fund trustee inthe activity. Other activities included presentationsto us by various members of Schroders staffaround the organisation, ranging from the COO,Markus Ruetimann, to European economists,portfolio managers from various teams and riskmanagers as well. Another notable activity wasthe trade simulations, in equities, fixed incomeand derivatives, where we competed against eachother as groups.“Are we in Cape Town? That’sthe first thought that crossedmy mind when, on the way fromthe airport we encountered ablack Mercedes (C63 of course)thumping loud music and ayoung fellow with over appliedgel and shades at the wheel.”Siseko JoxoThese activities would round up our session withKevin Boyle, a clear, frank, patient and extremelysupportive person who instilled a sense ofconfidence in the graduates. The next phase of ourtraining was preparation for the UKAn African investment firm with global standards5