A day packed full of hard work and friends

Jul 18 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

MARION MULCAHY, 28, is a trainee investment manager at Rensburg Sheppards, in Liverpool.

A member of the Securities and Investment Institute, Marion moved to the firm of investment managers earlier this year.

She previously worked as an institutional analyst at Numis Securities. This is an account of her day.

6.45am: I wake up in my flat on City Quay, and I’ve got just enough time to get ready, then catch the 8am train from Brunswick. I’ve got a long day ahead and am feeling a bit nervous about my 8.45am meeting, particularly as I’m hosting it for the first time today. It will be an intense meeting, so I read through my notes on the train.

8.15am: I arrive at the office in time to log-on and have some breakfast. In fact, most mornings start at my desk with a bowl of Special K and a browse through the day’s papers. A story in the Financial Times has caught my eye about a new VCT which is performing well. I do some internet research to find out more and make a note to discuss it with one of the investment directors.

9am: After a successful meeting and a relaxed cup of tea, it’s time to look at my client portfolios. I deal with two types of client – advisory and discretionary. With advisory clients, we have to receive authorisation from the client before we can act on any investment recommendations we make, compared to discretionary clients, where we have the authority to deal in the best interests of the client, without their prior consent.

11.30am: I’ve just come off the phone to a young couple in Wavertree. They are buying their first house together, and I’m setting up a financial planning package for them. This requires lots of detail about their financial circumstances and their long- term plans so it’s good to keep in regular contact. This is my favourite part of the job because it’s the most rewarding. Unusual questions that arise relate to their preferred retirement ages and plans for a new business, and so I make a note to research it later.

1.10pm: Time for lunch and I’m off to Room, in Castle Street, to meet some of my girlfriends. Four of us meet every week, having met at a young professional drinks do about two years ago. We all work in industries which have a male dominated image and we enjoy catching up and laugh at the occasional raised eyebrow from a nearby diner. I have a club sandwich with fries and a chilled sparkling water.

2.15pm: Back at the office and straight to our River Room for a company presentation. We’ve recently moved into the 13th floor of The Plaza, on Old Hall Street, and it has stunning views so I have to make sure I don’t get distracted watching the Mersey. Today the presentation is from an external Unit Trust manager, and he tells us about that fund’s per- formance and its growth outlook. It’s a useful meeting which gives me lots of food for thought.

3.45pm: I’m back at my desk and I’ve got just enough time to check my emails before nipping out to pick up my car from Brunswick station. My final meeting of the day is over on the Wirral, and I want to give myself a bit of time to take a look through the client’s portfolio.

5.30pm: After an unusually short meeting, I get back into my car and head back into town. It’s off to the gym tonight and then round to see friends. A cheeky glass of wine might even make it into my plans, too.