My journey as a Global Markets Business Analyst

Our consultant Reece reflects on his journey with Vantage Point (VP). He shares his experience of the application process and pre-deployment training, through delivering on client site, to his ambitions for the future.

Joining Vantage Point as a Financial Services Consultant

Before joining Vantage Point, I had always held an interest in the financial services sector. During my A-Levels and throughout university I studied economics and other finance related subjects and was particularly drawn to understanding how the world works from a financial perspective, from international trade, fiscal and monetary policy, to micro-economic trade-offs. This curiosity naturally led me to engage deeply with financial markets even before entering the professional world.

After graduating, I began exploring opportunities and quickly realised how competitive the industry is, with high barriers to entry for the most desirable roles at leading financial services firms. I took on a position as a foreign exchange advisor, where I gained valuable experience in real world economic events (nonfarm payroll), relationship management, and working with senior stakeholders. While the role taught me a great deal, I eventually recognised that it wasn’t the right long-term fit for me. I took time out to travel, reflect, and reassess what I was truly looking for in my career.

It was during this period that I came across Vantage Point Global, a consultancy specialising in placing graduates into high-profile organisations. After learning more about the role of a Global Markets Business Analyst, I immediately felt that it aligned with both my interests and skillset, and applied for the Elevate Programme.

The assessment process at VP was efficient, well-structured, and consistently well communicated. What stood out most was their focus on character, mindset, and potential over purely academic achievement. The interviews felt more like in-depth conversations, allowing me to demonstrate my critical thinking, curiosity, and genuine passion for the financial services industry.

The Simulate Training Programme

After signing my permanent contract with VP, I joined and began their Simulate training programme. The full-time training usually runs between one to four weeks and, while the schedule is intensive, it is also highly collaborative. Going through the experience alongside my Vantage Point cohort created a strong sense of shared purpose and support. I particularly valued the opportunity to work with people from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, which mirrored the variety I found when I joined my client.

The Simulate programme is designed to build a strong foundation in both industry knowledge and practical consulting skills, covering everything from financial markets fundamentals to research techniques and presentation-based simulations. The scenario-based training helped us develop clear, structured communication and sharpen our ability to work effectively with stakeholders across different regions and functions - skills that have proven invaluable in my day-to-day role.

By the end of the programme, I’d gained significant confidence and felt well prepared for the transition onto client site.

Client Site and Ongoing Support

After training, in 2023 I joined a global investment bank, in their Chief Conduct and Control Office, as a Global Markets Business Analyst.

I receive ongoing support from Vantage Point bi-weekly catchups with my Client Delivery Lead. These sessions provide a valuable forum to discuss how best to approach tasks and projects, reflect on performance, and align on career progression and next steps. In addition, formal appraisals every six months ensure that I stayed on track, performance-wise, and keep developing my knowledge and skills. Beyond scheduled sessions, the Vantage Point team are highly accessible and supportive, always available to discuss challenges, provide guidance, or act as a sounding board.

Vantage Point shows a strong commitment to my professional development. Whenever a skills gap or growth opportunity is identified by me or my line manager, VP provides training and resources; a great example is the Agile project management course I completed last year to support both my current role and my longer-term career trajectory.

The head office also regularly hosts breakfasts and networking events for consultants across different client engagements. These are a great opportunity to connect with other consultants, understand different business environments, and share best practices. It has also been motivating to meet Vantage Point alumni who have progressed into senior roles within the bank, which shows both the strength of the network and the long-term career value of the Elevate programme.

What I Hope to Achieve Next

As I move into my third year on client site, I’m excited to further develop my professional experience, deepen my domain expertise, and expand my internal and external network. Over the next year, I am looking forward to taking on increased responsibility, broader ownership, and more complex challenges as my role evolves.

Through my experience so far, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with talented colleagues across different regions and business areas, which has significantly broadened my perspective and strengthened my professional capability. I hope to continue building a strong personal reputation based on reliability, delivery, and collaboration, while growing a high-quality professional network that supports my long-term career success.

My key objective is to convert into a permanent role at the investment bank, and transition into a project management role, with a particular focus on delivering and embedding automated processes that drive efficiency and long-term value.

I’m grateful to Vantage Point Global for the many opportunities the Elevate Programme continues to provide, and would encourage anyone interested in a career in financial services to consider becoming a VP consultant.

Interested in becoming a VP consultant?