An Unforgettable Economics Trip to London to Rothschild & Co and Barclays Investment Bank

An Unforgettable Economics Trip to London

Our L6th Form Economics pupils embarked on an incredible trip to London, packed with insightful experiences and real-world applications of their studies.

First Stop: Rothschild & Co

Our visit began at Rothschild, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious banks. We were privileged to hear from Emmet Walsh, Partner and Global Co-Head of Energy & Power in Rothschild & Co’s Global Advisory business. He offered fascinating insights into his role and the macroeconomic pressures affecting the energy sector. Discussions around the war in Ukraine and Trump’s latest tariff decisions brought classroom theories to life, helping pupils see the direct impact of global events on financial markets. Pupils also had the chance to hear from graduate, Charlie Tavengwa, who provided a candid account of the Rothschild graduate pathway, including the realities of the job - 10am starts that quickly stretch into midnight finishes. Tyra Mugisha then shared her journey into Rothschild, detailing her progression from undergraduate and master’s degrees in HR to securing a place on the graduate scheme. She also outlined the various entry opportunities at Rothschild, from three-day insight weeks for Year 12 and 13 students, to graduate internships. One key takeaway? Spring internships - a crucial stepping stone for aspiring investment bankers - open in the first term of university. Tyra emphasised the importance of crafting a standout CV and covering letter, which Rothschild values above university prestige or degree choice.

We concluded our visit with an engaging session from Melanie Aspey, Director of the Rothschild archive, who showcased historical artefacts from the bank’s vaults, including an original business card, pigeon mail and original bonds from the United States of Brazil.

Next Stop: Canary Wharf - Barclays

After a quick detour to Threadneedle Street to admire the historic home of the Bank of England, we headed to Canary Wharf for a slightly different side of the financial world.

We were welcomed by Stephen Dainton’s team - an incredible privilege as Stephen is now President of Barclays - pupils signed NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and passed through security before diving into a series of engaging talks. First up was Ben Newmark, Managing Director and Head of Barclays’ EMEA Equity Syndicate Desk. Responsible for IPOs, block trades, capital raises, and equity-linked transactions, Ben gave us a firsthand account of his high-pressure job, which starts at 6am. His discussion on the impact of macroeconomic events on financial markets was particularly eye-opening. We then heard from Toni Iheonye, a Graduate Equity Cash Salesperson specialising in US equities. A Cambridge Political Science graduate, Toni broke down her day-to-day role in an incredibly relatable way, drawing from her experience in Barclays’ internship programme. Next was Charlie Jacobs from Equity Derivatives Sales, who demystified derivatives and explained her journey from internships at RBC and Deutsche Bank to her current role at Barclays. Interestingly, while many of the day’s speakers had history degrees, Charlie was the first maths graduate we encountered. Our final speaker, Louisa Davison, an Energy, Metals, Mining, and Chemicals Industry Specialist, shared her experience working in a unique and highly specialised sector. Unlike others, she entered Barclays directly through their graduate scheme rather than an internship.

To cap off the visit, Louisa gave us an exclusive tour of the trading floor - a rare opportunity, especially given the turbulent day in the markets. Though photography was not allowed, pupils were clearly in awe of the fast-paced, high-stakes environment. With multiple screens, constant multitasking, and rapid decision-making, it was easy to see why so many of our pupils may be quite suited to a career in finance!

Final Thoughts

This trip was an invaluable experience for our pupils, offering first hand exposure to two of the most prestigious financial institutions in the world. It was fantastic to hear our pupils ask excellent questions to industry professionals; I was very proud. From global macroeconomics to graduate opportunities, the day was packed with insights, inspiration, and real-world connections to their Economics studies. A truly brilliant day and thank you to Rothschild and Barclays Investment Bank for welcoming us.

Marie Goffe - Head of Business & Economics and Apprenticeship Advisor

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