Name: Jason Richardson Company: RBS Global Banking and Markets Position: Global Head of Emerging Markets Trading Bio: My career really began in 1995 when I started at Natwest Markets as an intern and from there, was offered a graduate position the following year on the FX Option Trading desk. I spent a number of years in the late nineties working overseas in Hong Kong and Singapore before returning to London in 2001. The last ten years have seen me working in both London and the US, focused on FX Options and the Emerging Markets. I was appointed as Global Head of Emerging Markets Trading in 2009.
What are your top tips for career progression? Do something you enjoy passionately! Work hard and ask a lot of questions. Never pretend to know something when you don’t.
enjoy and equally as importantly, what you don’t enjoy. The workplace is vastly different from university life and an internship allows you to experience the working world and see where you might best fit into a business area.
What has been your biggest achievement in the workplace? One of my most significant professional achievements took place in 2008 during the acquisition of ABN Amro. I had assumed responsibility for the Latin America markets five days before the collapse of Lehman Brothers. The crisis that ensued had no historical equivalent to compare with or learn from. Against this backdrop I had an additional 50 new staff looking for directions in a time of great uncertainty. In such situations you just have to hold your nerve, believe in yourself and the training you have undertaken and have the confidence of your convictions. We collectively survived that experience and came out stronger for it.
What can you remember about your internship? My internship back in 1995 was less structured than the programme is today. Above all else, being an intern helped me develop an understanding first hand of how a bank functions on a day to day basis. Working in the environment allows you to really grasp how each role works with another and while the chances of finding your perfect role initially may seem slim, an internship allows you to see the scope of opportunity within a company. I worked on the dealing floor at Natwest and spent my internship building asset allocation models. This experience certainly gave me an advantage over my peers. I was able to make a clearer decision about my future direction, commit with a greater level of certainty and feel more comfortable and prepared in the workplace when I started full time work.
How important is the internship programme for RBS? The internship programme is absolutely vital for RBS and is symbiotic in every sense. That is, the programme is mutually beneficial for both the students and the business - it provides students with an insight into the industry, ensures we receive informed applications and allows each party to gauge compatibility. It offers students the chance to network with fellow peers and business people which is invaluable when at University and trying to establish your career goals. Internships are central to our overall graduate recruitment strategy and above all else, help both students and the business make a more informed decision about the future. In your opinion, why should students consider doing an internship? An internship offers you the chances to work out what you add your notes here...
Any top tips for a student interest in a placement / internship at RBS? My advice is to try and gain experience in as many different industries or part of a business as you can to help you work out what it is you like most. Stay informed about the industry and undertake a range of rotations if possible. The most successful interns at RBS are those who are enthusiastic, good listeners, opened minded, flexible and know how and when to ask questions.
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