A Level Economics pupils enjoyed an exceptional trip into the City

Our A Level Economics pupils recently enjoyed an exceptional trip into the City, beginning at Barclays Investment Bank where we were hosted by Stephen Dainton, President of Barclays Bank PLC and Head of Investment Bank Management. Stephen’s Executive Assistant, Katie Smith, organised an outstanding programme of talks that gave our pupils valuable insight into careers in global finance. Jonathan Jackson, Managing Director and Head of EMEA Institutional Equity Derivatives Sales, spoke engagingly about his career journey into the City and explained derivative trading with impressive clarity. This was particularly valuable for our pupils studying forward markets. Justyna Lobaza, Director and Head of US Product into the UK and EU, discussed her role in the US product market and thoughtfully answered questions about the economic impact of tensions in Iran and the effect of US tariffs. Both Jonathan and Justyna also shared their perspectives on how artificial intelligence is likely to shape the future of the banking industry.

We were then joined by Richard Gill, Managing Director in Prime Services, who spoke candidly about his experiences at Barclays, particularly during the global financial crisis. While he described the period as extremely demanding, he explained that it provided invaluable training and helped build resilience that has shaped his career since. He also emphasised that banks today are far more resilient than they were before the crisis. Richard offered our pupils excellent advice on how to stand out when applying for internships and graduate roles in such a competitive environment. The visit concluded with a tour of the remarkable Barclays trading floor, which required our pupils to sign NDAs in advance. It was an exciting opportunity to witness the scale and pace of activity within a major investment bank.

After a quick journey on the Docklands Light Railway, we arrived at Bank where we were welcomed by Emmet Walsh, Partner and Global Co Head of Energy and Power at Rothschild & Co. Emmet provided a clear and insightful overview of the firm’s work and the role it plays in global financial markets. It was particularly valuable for our pupils to hear directly from a leading expert about the impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East on the global energy sector, bringing many of the economic concepts studied in the classroom vividly to life.

Emmet’s introduction was followed by Eshen Saund, an Analyst in Global Advisory in Energy and Power, who shared his own pathway into the firm. After studying Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Economics at A level, he went on to complete a degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science before joining Rothschild and Co. Eshen emphasised the importance of applying early for opportunities and highlighted the drive and determination required to succeed in the City. He also spoke about a typical working day, the graduate career pathway within the firm and his reasons for choosing Rothschild and Co, noting the strong family culture that distinguishes the organisation.

Our pupils also benefited from advice from Tyra Mugisha, who spoke about the opportunities available at Rothschild and Co and offered practical guidance on preparing strong CVs and covering letters. She explained that in a competition involving thousands of applicants, even a single spelling mistake can lead to an application being rejected. At the same time, she reassured pupils that well prepared and thoughtful applications are always carefully considered. The visit concluded with a short trip to the archives where Justin Cavernelis-Frost introduced us to the fascinating history of the Rothschild banking family.

A brief visit to the Bank of England provided a fitting end to a memorable day in the City. The trip gave pupils an inspiring opportunity to connect the economics they study in the classroom with the realities of global financial markets. Many of them left the City already thinking about future internships and careers in finance.

We are extremely grateful for these opportunities, which are truly unique to King’s. Our sincere thanks go to Kate and Emmet for helping to make the day possible.

Marie Goffe - Head of Business & Economics

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