Meet Blake, an economics graduate from the University of Nottingham and recent Stonehage Fleming Investment Management intern through the #10,000 Black Interns Programme. We sat down with him to share his journey and insights for aspiring interns.
What Motivated you to apply for an Internship? Stonehage Fleming being a unique type of business, integrating both family offices and investment management, intrigued me and made me want to understand the internal processes of the business. The opportunity to learn how people with such a broad range of skillsets and backgrounds combine to create client solutions really excited me. It felt like a place where I could learn from a wide range of professionals and gain exposure to meaningful work early on.
What were your first impressions when you walked through the doors at Stonehage Fleming?
I was really struck by how technically knowledgeable everyone seemed to be, regardless of their longevity with the business. Beyond the investment team, the client-facing teams and middle office staff all demonstrated a strong understanding of how their day-to-day decisions and actions would impact the families they work with in a wider context.
What did you enjoy most about your internship experience?
From my first day, I was trusted with real client work and included in every stage of the investment process, including client meetings. This hands-on approach accelerated my development and provided invaluable experience beyond academics. A key challenge was mastering the technical language and staying current with political and economic developments affecting various markets and asset classes. This meant I had to adapt quickly to understand how these factors influence various investments and their performance.
What advice would you give to potential interns considering the 10,000 Black Interns programme?
My advice would be to take full advantage of the chance to learn from the professionals around you. Take every opportunity to talk to people, office conversations and career stories offer valuable insights for your growth. Leverage their experience as a resource and immerse yourself in your work throughout the internship to maximise learning and development. Fully engaging
Find out more about Stonehage Fleming's Investment Management team