Graduates bring a new dimension to The Openwork Partnership
Victoria Hurel – Adoption Consultant (Canary Wharf. London)
Victoria Hurel – Adoption Consultant (Canary Wharf. London)
Degree: Accounting & Finance, Bournemouth University
“I’m enjoying talking to the firms and helping them adopt this new technology. The idea of working with the network really appealed to me. That along with the professional development I’ve received and the personal support, I’ve felt that the business has really invested in the graduate scheme both as a concept and for us an individual.
That’s not to say it’s not incredibly hard work and the first three months were intense. Not only were we learning about the new system, and I had personally never seen anything like it before, but also understanding the wider business and industry. This in turn has made me think about my career path and professional development.
My advice to any graduates following us into the scheme would be don’t think narrowly, there are a whole range of opportunities and if you embrace them it will open up your horizons. Use the OpenLearningZone which is fantastic and make the most of your time here, everyone is willing to help and support you.”
Class of 2021
Panashe Mudhluyi – Adoption Consultant (South East)
Degree: Business, Coventry University
“I was very interested in the level of personal and professional development on offer. Being supported to get the RO1 qualification and after speaking with the Academy this opportunity offered excellent prospects for ongoing support with taking qualifications but at our own pace.
I found the first three months really eye opening in terms of where I could go within the industry and this business, whether it is financial advice, HR or business analysis. Our introduction to the business and ConcertHub was intense to start off with, and I really looked forward to talking to the firms. It was really reassuring that some of the Advisers started adding me onto their LinkedIn pages and supporting them with how to make the most of the system was very satisfying.
The advice I would give to other graduates coming onto this scheme in the future would be do as much research on the financial services industry as you can, be open-minded, there are a lot of opportunities out there.”
Joe Smith-Butler – Adoption Consultant (North West / North Wales)
Degree: Economics and Mathematics, Newcastle University
“The Openwork Partnership Graduate Wealth Pathway isn’t my first experience of working within the financial services industry. I did an internship at a financial adviser, but what has impressed me most about this business is the amount of support for employees to grow and develop.
We have access to Lunch & Learns, the OpenLearningZone and a wealth of support from across the business. When I first joined, I worried I had to know everything beforehand and probably put too much pressure on myself, but there is so much support from managers and peers you can flourish from the start.
There aren’t too many graduate schemes in the industry and with the added draw of the Academy and the Foundation (I’ve always taken an interest in fundraising!). To see one of the biggest advice networks take on so many graduates whilst expanding and transitioning against the backdrop of the pandemic was extraordinary and I wanted to be part of that.
I would say there is the right level of autonomy with support and eventually, as I’m supporting firms with ConcertHub in the North West & North Wales, I’d like to take up a position with a firm in that region.”
Class of 2021
Degree: Business, Coventry University
“I was very interested in the level of personal and professional development on offer. Being supported to get the RO1 qualification and after speaking with the Academy this opportunity offered excellent prospects for ongoing support with taking qualifications but at our own pace.
I found the first three months really eye opening in terms of where I could go within the industry and this business, whether it is financial advice, HR or business analysis. Our introduction to the business and ConcertHub was intense to start off with, and I really looked forward to talking to the firms. It was really reassuring that some of the Advisers started adding me onto their LinkedIn pages and supporting them with how to make the most of the system was very satisfying.
The advice I would give to other graduates coming onto this scheme in the future would be do as much research on the financial services industry as you can, be open-minded, there are a lot of opportunities out there.”
Degree: Economics and Mathematics, Newcastle University
“The Openwork Partnership Graduate Wealth Pathway isn’t my first experience of working within the financial services industry. I did an internship at a financial adviser, but what has impressed me most about this business is the amount of support for employees to grow and develop.
We have access to Lunch & Learns, the OpenLearningZone and a wealth of support from across the business. When I first joined, I worried I had to know everything beforehand and probably put too much pressure on myself, but there is so much support from managers and peers you can flourish from the start.
There aren’t too many graduate schemes in the industry and with the added draw of the Academy and the Foundation (I’ve always taken an interest in fundraising!). To see one of the biggest advice networks take on so many graduates whilst expanding and transitioning against the backdrop of the pandemic was extraordinary and I wanted to be part of that.
I would say there is the right level of autonomy with support and eventually, as I’m supporting firms with ConcertHub in the North West & North Wales, I’d like to take up a position with a firm in that region.”
What else do the graduates work on?
Carrie Morris, Chief People Officer: “Here at the Openwork Partnership, two of our core values are keeping things personal and that everyone can make a difference. For us it is important that each cohort of graduates have the space to truly own something and allow their creativity and new perspective to shine through by developing something meaningful for the business and start to build their personal and professional legacy.”
Foundation Ambassadors
We care, active in making a difference in our communities, and proud to support The Openwork Foundation
We have introduced our new graduates to the Openwork Foundation, and many have become Foundation Ambassadors. This involves championing the work that our Foundation does and encouraging fundraising and awareness both inside and outside of the business.
Foundation Ambassadors
Ella Faulkner – Adoption Consultant
“One of the first things that attracted me to The Openwork Partnership was The Openwork Foundation and the extent to which they make a difference in changing the lives of so many vulnerable people and disadvantaged children. I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to get involved and become a Foundation Ambassador, especially at such an exciting time marking 40 years of making a difference in our communities.
The role involves representing the other graduates on the Graduate Wealth Pathway Programme and to participate in the quarterly Foundation meetings. I am very much looking forward to attending the next meeting where I can provide my own ideas on different fundraising activities as part of the ‘Your Day - Your Way’ initiative.”
Jennifer Huxtable – Adoption Consultant
“I specifically volunteered to be a Foundation Ambassador as I saw this as a great opportunity to find out more about The Foundation and support it with its contribution to supporting the communities around us.
I am currently volunteering outside of work supporting events for a charitable organisation called CACH-All. Created as a community for families who have adopted internationally to connect, even though at times it has been a lot of work, the feedback makes it worthwhile. I saw this as a similar opportunity to be able to get involved in something that really makes a positive difference to those who need it.
I’m keen to learn more about how The Foundation works behind the scenes and I hope to have the opportunity to meet and work with others to make ideas come to life. As a graduate team we are keen to work together to fundraise for The Foundation so we’ll support future projects and explore how our colleagues and the wider firm network can also get involved.”
Foundation Ambassadors
“One of the first things that attracted me to The Openwork Partnership was The Openwork Foundation and the extent to which they make a difference in changing the lives of so many vulnerable people and disadvantaged children. I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to get involved and become a Foundation Ambassador, especially at such an exciting time marking 40 years of making a difference in our communities.
The role involves representing the other graduates on the Graduate Wealth Pathway Programme and to participate in the quarterly Foundation meetings. I am very much looking forward to attending the next meeting where I can provide my own ideas on different fundraising activities as part of the ‘Your Day - Your Way’ initiative.”
“I specifically volunteered to be a Foundation Ambassador as I saw this as a great opportunity to find out more about The Foundation and support it with its contribution to supporting the communities around us.
I am currently volunteering outside of work supporting events for a charitable organisation called CACH-All. Created as a community for families who have adopted internationally to connect, even though at times it has been a lot of work, the feedback makes it worthwhile. I saw this as a similar opportunity to be able to get involved in something that really makes a positive difference to those who need it.
I’m keen to learn more about how The Foundation works behind the scenes and I hope to have the opportunity to meet and work with others to make ideas come to life. As a graduate team we are keen to work together to fundraise for The Foundation so we’ll support future projects and explore how our colleagues and the wider firm network can also get involved.”
Our Eco Project
As part of our 12 month The Openwork Partnership Graduate Wealth Pathway Scheme we felt it was important to allow our graduates the autonomy to design, develop and effectively implement something which would add real value to the business.
From the beginning, these individuals showed a real sense of passion for corporate responsibility and therefore it seemed a natural fit to allow them to channel their energy into something tangible within a CSR project.
Working with our Legal & Corporate services team we have tasked the four teams of graduates to spend this year coming up with their own way to tackle the issues raised in the ‘our environment’ pillar of our business strategy. Whilst they can draw on support from all areas of our business, the objective of the project is to give each team the autonomy, time and freedom to really design a solution which The Openwork Partnership can implement in 2022, within a fixed budget, and deliver tangible benefits.
All teams will present their idea at the end of the year to business leaders within The Openwork Partnership and then the top two ideas will be presented to the Executive team. The winning idea will be implemented by the business. This is a high profile and prestigious way for the winning individuals to showcase their talents and ideas to our senior team.
The Openwork Partnership Graduate Podcast
Our class of 2021 have also had the opportunity to create, develop and produce their own podcasts which enable us to hear their unique take on the world of Financial Services. Along with guests they share their unique perspective on their travels through the industry.