Alumni Interview –Class of 2000 rob Evans –Executive Director at uBS

1. What is your current role at UBS?

I am an Equity Salesperson, which means I try to ensure my clients (largely mutual funds and hedge funds) are using the investment advice and services we offer at UBS, in order to make money for their clients (while paying us for those services). They do this by investing in the equity (shares) of companies you see quoted on indices such as the FTSE100 (UK) and the Dax (Germany). Ten years ago, the job would have been more about telling clients which shares to buy and sell…that is still a big part of the job but technology, regulation and the way our clients are now structured has changed the role significantly.

2. If you were Prime Minister what would you do?

I think the first four things I would do would be: raise inheritance tax to 75% (and abolish trusts) as I don’t see why wealth should just transfer from one generation to another. I would also add 5% Stamp Duty to purchases of UK property by non-resident buyers on the basis that those buyers are typically benefiting from UK infrastructure and security but not paying towards those services on an ongoing basis. I would raise the ceiling of the pension allowance to encourage over 50s back to work and, lastly, charge people £1 for missed appointments on the NHS or missed lessons at school, via their tax code, using it to pay teachers and NHS workers more.

3. Favourite sandwich?

Roast turkey (with leftovers from Christmas Day).

4. What subject and where did you study for your undergraduate degree?

I studied Economics and French at University of the West of England in Bristol. It wasn’t my first choice, but I enjoyed the vast majority of it. Once I worked out the world didn’t revolve around me in my 3rd year, I knuckled down and achieved a 1st class degree. The best bit was that 3rd year of my degree I spent living and working in Grenoble. You never realise how little you know about a language until you have to use French every day. The second best bit was living in Bristol…it is a wonderful City and I met some brilliant people on my course and working in a bar to finance my studies. My advice would be to study something you love.

5. What made you enter the world of investment banking?

I wasn’t good enough to play cricket professionally and I didn’t fancy/couldn’t afford another four years at university studying medicine, which were my two passions. I interviewed with a stockbroking firm and LOVED it from that moment. Working for people I admired kept me interested and the constant mental challenge vs. financial reward of serving intelligent, driven clients keeps me coming back every day.