I graduated from Oxford, where I did my undergraduate degree in Physics and Philosophy, in July 2007. After graduating, I looked for jobs where I would be able to use the numerical and written skills that I had honed in my degree. A career in
financial advice, in which you have to analyse a number of aspects of a client’s situation and provide comprehensive recommendation documents based on these, seemed ideal.

Saunderson House in particular appealed because of the size (c100 people), which was small enough to feel personal but not so small to feel claustrophobic. Additionally, my research suggested that it was a friendly place, with a wellstructured graduate scheme which encouraged every person’s career to develop, and these have all proved to be true. Furthermore, Saunderson House had the added appeal of being flexible enough to allow me to take time out to travel around South America for six months before starting!

In the first year at Saunderson House, you will have to do the requisite admin work and training. However, I was impressed with the rate at which careers can progress here. After three years I feel that I am a valued member of the team and company, and my opinion is often sought and listened to. My job is primarily in preparing reviews of, and recommendations for, client portfolios. There are a number of clients for whom I am ‘responsible’, under the supervision of a Director, and it is a real pleasure when they express their satisfaction with the work we have done for them.

A great consequence of their having a graduate scheme is that Saunderson House has a large contingent of people in their 20s and early 30s working in the company. With the company growing at an impressive rate and new people joining every year, there will always be someone in a similar position to yourself. While everyone is very hard-working, there is a good sense of camaraderie and I am pleased to have made many friends here.