David Sime
Global Services
State Street

Tell me how you came to be in Investment Operations?

Having studied Economics and Maths at university and being from Edinburgh, it seemed a logical enough step to start my career in the financial sector, and in particular, investment banking. Following a gap year after university, an employment agency put me in touch with State Street and things went from there.

How have you developed in your job?

I have been lucky enough to benefit from a number of different types of training. To start with I was given on-the-job training by one of my new colleagues who I shadowed initially before trying myself! In addition, I enrolled in classroom courses to brush up my skills on the systems we use as well as learn more about State Street and how our different business areas fit together. 

Other types of courses based on the ‘soft skills’ have further developed me and my ability to get my ideas across to different types of people in different roles.

I am currently studying an industry qualification to improve my grasp on the industry as a whole.

Tell me about what you do?

I work in international settlements, liaising with agent banks that we employ to allow our customers to access different markets across the world. This involves having individual market knowledge, thinking logically and working well under (time) pressure. Perhaps the most challenging aspect is dissecting a customer’s request into something which our agent banks might understand…and vice versa, of course!

What attracted you to a career in Investment Operations?

I saw Investment Operations as a great place to learn about the industry as a whole without 12-hour working days that can be found elsewhere! The benefits are also excellent compared to other sectors and working outside of London means that they go further. 

What would you say to others considering a career in Investment Operations?

I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to get ahead in their career – I really feel that the opportunities are there if you want them enough. It can be a little intimidating at first – trying to fit in as well as learning all of the industry jargon – but if you stick at it, the sky really is the limit.