Graduate profilesWe go out of our way to attract, retain and develop a diverse pool of talent. We believe that by building the capability of employees from varied backgrounds and helping them reach their full potential, M&G is better placed to generate new ideas and products to keep us at the forefront of the industry.
To help you find out which one of our schemes would suit you best click on one of the following links and hear from some of our graduates currently participating:
Davinder Kaur – Information Systems
Shan Zhou – Business Change
Oriane Auzanneau – Investment Trainee (Fixed Income)
Rory Alexander – Investment Trainee (Equities)
Valetine Bugeja – Business Management (Retail Distribution)
Davinder Kaur – Information Systems
Current position: Release Manager
M&G Team: Release Control, Release Management (Information Systems)
University: Aston University
Degree: BSc Hons Business Administration & Computer Science
What was your motivation in applying?
Having worked in the Financial Services industry for my Placement Year, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic work environment. Therefore I decided to find a graduate job in the same industry. Having graduated in the midst of the recession, there were many struggling companies who closed their doors to graduates. However, M&G demonstrated strong performance and had maintained a good reputation throughout. The company was looking for graduates so seemed like the natural choice. My ideal role is one that involves combining an understanding of technology and business. Although working in Business Change would have allowed me to do this, I applied for the Information Systems role as I prefer the emphasis on technology.
What was involved?
I found the job online and applied immediately. I was then required to take two online tests - verbal and numerical. Having passed these, I was invited for a first round interview with HR and an IS Manager. The final stage was an assessment day which included a number of activities such as a presentation, interview and group exercise.
What are you up to now?
Throughout my time at the company I have been involved in both technical upgrades and also business opportunity realisation projects. Each type of project has its own risks/issues and so I have been given ample opportunity to develop my skills and challenge myself.
What’s your verdict?
The culture at M&G is a unique one. It is one that presents learning opportunities at every corner but also one that will support you every step of the way; this is perfect for a graduate. Throughout my time at M&G, I have been supported on both a personal and professional level.
To say I enjoy my role would be an understatement; it has great variety which means I am constantly presented with challenges. This gives me the opportunities to progress hence maintaining my passion for the job and industry.
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Shan Zhou – Business Change
Current position: Business Analyst
M&G Team: Operational Change
University: Manchester Business School
Degree: MSc in Accounting and Finance
What was your motivation in applying?
Previous work experiences showed me that I really enjoy the never-the-same nature of projects. The role of business analyst means that the learning never stops. This aspect of the job is very appealing to me. After some research I learned that M&G is a firm that consistently performs well so I applied for this role.
What was involved?
After submitting the on-line application, I was asked to do some aptitude tests, also on-line. I was then invited to an interview followed by an assessment centre. The assessment centre did not last for too long compared to other companies and you get to meet a lot of people that you'll be working with if you do get the job.
What are you up to now?
I am an analyst in the operational change team. I recently completed a secondment in the Derivative Operations team where I learnt about their processes, the financial instruments they deal with and the systems they use. My daily tasks in Operational Change involve various projects, such as due diligence (assessing risks and operational capability) on new exchanges and new instruments that M&G want to trade and coordinating new fund launches from an operational perspective. The list can go on and on...
What’s your verdict?
I really like working at M&G because of the people and the variety of work. I'm constantly given new challenges and I keep learning about different parts of the business. The people I'm working with are so friendly, always available for support and to help me learn.
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Oriane Auzanneau – Investment Trainee (Fixed Income)
Current Position: Associate
M&G Team: Private Placements
University: EDHEC Business School and University of Strathclyde
Degree: Master in Management and MSc in Finance
What was your motivation in applying?
My interest into fixed income started with finance classes during my education at Edhec Business School and subsequently during the completion of my finance degree in Glasgow. Having completed a gap year on the buy side at Calyon confirmed my preference for this side of the industry, and M&G as one of the largest fixed income players in Europe was a naturally attractive place for me to start a career in the area.
What was involved?
The graduate scheme at M&G begins with a ten-week outsourced training programme where you study along with graduates from other investment management houses, which provides core basic knowledge and a great opportunity to network. The following step is a rotation programme across the fixed income floor where you are given the opportunity to work with various teams and get involved in diverse activities. This is key to get to know people around the place, broaden your knowledge of the business thanks to contact with experienced and approachable professionals, and making sure you find a team you enjoy working with.
What are you up to now?
I’ve settled into the Private Placements team, which is involved into the private financing of a great variety of businesses. Work on each transaction involves very varied activities, ranging from meeting a company’s senior management, running through their business model and financials and discussing strategy, going for on-site due diligence trips and negotiating the legal documentation for the transaction. Workload is variable, with some periods more intense than others, but the work environment makes it easier to deal with and fit in thanks to colleagues who are not only very professional but also more than happy to help.
What’s your verdict?
This has been a great experience so far! Not only is the work very interesting and challenging, the people, atmosphere and culture contribute to making M&G a great place to work at. You’re given the opportunity to get a lot from a graduate year here, and this will benefit you all through your career with the company.
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Rory Alexander – Investment Trainee (Equities)
Current Position: Equities Analyst
M&G Team: Global Transport & Support Services
University of Bath
BSc Hons Economics – 2:1 (2008)
What was your motivation in applying?
After studying economics at both school and degree level, moving into the financial sector in London was the natural career progression. After internships in wealth management companies I began to become increasingly interested in the underlying components of equity portfolios. This interest caused me to focus on investment management graduate positions at the large UK asset managers, hence my application to M&G.
What was involved?
I started with a three month long training scheme in Canary Wharf being taught the fundamentals of equity and fixed income analysis. I then completed a year long rotation scheme among different teams within the M&G equity division, working with various UK, European and global fund managers. After completing this I settled into a full time position as a global equity analyst in our research team.
What are you up to now?
Having been at M&G for two years now, I spend my time running analysis in global transport, infrastructure and support service companies. This involves providing investment advice and support on these sectors to our fund managers, generating new investment ideas and maintaining analysis of the companies we own within our various funds.
What’s your verdict?
I couldn’t be happier with how things have progressed. You are given a huge amount of responsibility extremely early on and the work is exciting and rewarding. With only one equity graduate position you are given the support and opportunity to excel whilst also not having the safety of a large graduate programme to hide behind like in the large investment banks. The culture here at M&G is excellent, with a healthy work/life balance being very much promoted.
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Valentine Bugeja – Business Management (Retail Distribution)
Current Position: Business Strategy Analyst
M&G Team: Institutional Sales
University: St Andrews University
Degree: 2:1 MA in Management and French
What was your motivation in applying?
I graduated from St Andrews University with a 2:1 MA in Management and French. On graduating I knew that I wanted to work in a business environment in the city but was unsure as to which department and role I would be most suited to. It wasn't until I found the M&G Retail Graduate Management Programme and carried out some research on the role and the company that I was positive I had found the right place for me. The programme is designed for graduates to gain an exposure of the whole of the M&G Retail business, through completing a series of rotations around the business. This was an ideal opportunity to test out lots of different roles within a business environment and see which one was the best fit for me.
What was involved?
The application process was admittedly quite lengthy but worth it in the end! I initially completed an application form that included some competency questions and sent this with a cover letter and an updated CV. A couple of days later I was asked to sit a Maths and Verbal Reasoning Test. Next came the telephone interview. This was a run through of my CV, my motivations for applying and my aspirations. The next hurdle was a face to face interview. The final hurdle was an all day assessment centre. This day is undoubtedly nerve-racking but it is also very interesting and when I left the offices, I wanted to be on the programme more than ever. I was offered the role that evening and could not have been more delighted.
What are you up to now?
I began the programme in October 2008. The first 2 weeks were focused on financial training, and studying for the IMC. With a pass under my belt, I started my first rotation with the Product Development team. The team were very friendly and welcoming, all sitting down with me in turn to go through their roles and the projects they were working on. This was to be a general theme in all the other teams I would go on to work with and was extremely valuable. I then completed rotations in the Strategic Planning, International Marketing, and Investment Marketing Teams and the M&G Fixed Income Team. I really appreciated that in each rotation I was given responsibilities and projects to manage. After 6 months, I was offered a role as a Business Strategy Analyst within the Strategic Planning Team. I worked on a variety of projects including helping to write the business plan, working on improving internal processes and reviewing team business models. I worked in this team for a year and today I am a Client Relationship Manager working with Institutional clients in the North of the UK. I absolutely love my job. It allows me to work closely with M&G’s clients and fund managers, presenting on new and existing funds, hosting meetings, and organising and attending hospitality events. The role is so varied and really suits my personality and ambitions with plenty of opportunity to grow within the role and the team.
What’s your verdict?
I was extremely fortunate to join the M&G Retail Graduate Management Programme. The rotations were very valuable in enabling me to understand how the business works and how all the different teams interact and work together, as well as helping me to understand where my strengths and interests lie. In so doing, I have also developed some great relationships with people across the business. The culture at M&G is very friendly and supportive and the company truly respects a work-life balance. I would truly recommend this programme if you are open to a challenge, you are a team player and you have a passion to learn and succeed.
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