Role: Assistant Private Secretary to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mark Hoban MP), HM Treasury
In 2008, I was at the University of London’s City Course. The FSA’s presentation was, by far, the most enticing. I signed up and have now been here for over two years.
My first rotation was in the Markets Division, followed by a year supervising the Nationwide building society. I’m currently on secondment to HM Treasury as one of three private secretaries (APS) to Mark Hoban, MP. My day includes briefing the minister on key issues surrounding EU directives, asset management, insurance, banking, mutuals and markets. As part of this I accompany him to UK and overseas meetings – ensuring he arrives on time – and also look after ministerial correspondence. It’s been a steep learning curve but great experience. It’s developed my time and project management skills, as well as allowing me the opportunity to sit in on ministers’ meetings – giving me real insight into the political implications of financial decisions.
The advantage of working for the FSA is the sheer breadth of experience. In only two years I’ve spoken at an international Regulatory seminar twice, negotiated on behalf of the UK at short selling working groups with European regulators and, as well as my work for the Treasury, I’ve seen research that I’ve carried out convince the European Commission to change its policy on pan-European disclosure. Add to that all the training you get and the genuinely open working environment and you have a scheme that gives you every chance for success.
