Top executives share their wisdom with young people

Sixth form students aged 16-17 years, from Christ the King Sixth Form in Lewisham and Sidcup, travelled from South London to The City of London for May’s Talent Accelerator workshop.

Huge thanks go to their accompanying teachers, especially Irene Youngs, who want their students to be prepared for work - and for their schools to reach the Gatsby Benchmarks 5 & 6 - that create “encounters with employers and employees and experiences of workplaces”. Something that’s also essential for those doing T-Levels.

In the London Stock Exchange’s stylish offices in Paternoster Square, students admired the views of St Paul’s cathedral and the break-out areas furnished with sofas, cushions, and the bean-to-cup coffee machines that are visible from immaculate open plan kitchens.

Based in a large meeting room, the first task for the students began: creating the perfect CV. Then came how to successfully navigate mock interviews and networking tips. The students then practised those skills with LSEG employees.

If that wasn’t enough, the students also delivered presentations.

They then heard the career journey from our keynote speaker Tony Baldwin, Global Head of Collateral & Liquidity Management at LCH (London Clearing House, a London Stock Exchange Group business) who originally came from South London.

Tony gave insights into his role at LSEG and also his background - which was both interesting and inspiring.

LSEG Legal Counsels Amruta Sawarka and Santushti Kalra provided the students with presentation skills tips and told them about their legal career journeys.

David Sol, Head of Policy & Managing Director at FTSE Russell delivered a workshop on Empathic Accuracy & Presentation Negotiation which got the students thinking and also competing with each other.

Afterwards, the students told us:

100% of them felt more confident about interviews

100% of students learned about workplace values and learned about new career pathways

100% of students felt they had improved their communication skills and presentation skills

“I gained key skills from this event and will use these skills in my day to day.”

“I really got an understanding of the business workplace.”

“It enabled me to improve in certain areas that I find difficult.”

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen,” said Urban Synergy’s Head of Programmes, Dianne Johnson. “We are so grateful to the LSEG employees, teachers, and students who stepped out of their busy days to make brighter and more equitable futures for so many.

“Thank you, also to Catherine Johnson and the LSEG Foundation for supporting this work. You really live your values and believe in diversity. We are so lucky to have you as our partner.”