Ed Wicks

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Pemberton Asset Management

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

Directly following my graduation from Exeter, I applied for and started a role as a trainee Reinsurance Broker for Aon, which is a completely different job to what I am doing right now. After a number of months within that role, I realised that the job wasn’t the right fit for my skillset and I wanted a role where I could still use the attributes gained from my Law Degree at Exeter. I then moved into a Compliance Analyst role for a financial services company, Davies Group, before focussing on the Asset Management Sector when I accepted a job at Redwheel. After three and half years within the listed securities market place, I was ready to broaden my horizon in Asset Management and dive into the world of Private Markets, specifically Private Credit. I have been with Pemberton for just under a year.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

The ability to translate skills acquired from your legal degree into the financial world – you’re consistently required to evaluate new regulations on a global scale and consider the best approach to solving that problem for the firm. I personally enjoy analysing the ever changing regulatory landscape and providing guidance for the wider business on how we can commercially best approach it.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a member of the Bracton Law Society football team for my first two years of study.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

The flexibility of the modules within the programme – in my final year I chose to study ‘Law, Politics and Power’ which provided a completely different insight into the Legal field opposed to my other modules. My biggest highlight in the programme was achieving a 1st in all first year modules whilst trying to balance the university experience lifestyle!

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

The people! Everyone, staff and students alike are so friendly and welcoming – I met my future wife to be and a number of my best friends on the Streatham Campus.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

Exeter had a strong reputation for a well respected Law School with quality lecturers. Aside from the education, the Campus feel was something top of my priorities – I wanted a sense of community where you wouldn’t be further than a 10-15 min walk from your mates, lectures and Exeter’s best pubs and clubs!

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Problem Solving – a classic Law case study requires an element of problem solving and I have found that very transferable to my career in Compliance. On a daily basis I am presented with a problem from the wider business which requires untangling and explaining.

Legal Analysis / Interrogation – during our Law Degree we are regularly asked to look at either case study law / statute and present different interpretations. Having this mindset has benefited my Compliance career as we look to provide a number of regulatory options to the business.

Research – all those hours in the library reading 400 page study books pay off! The diligence this instilled in me during University has carried over to my role in Compliance as well as we are often required to review a number of materials e.g. policies, Company marketing materials, etc.

Advocacy / negotiation – the opportunity to hone my negotiation skills during year 1 of my degree (especially fond memories with Paul Rylance!) have been very useful in my career so far. A key part of my role is to clearly communicate why we are conducting certain activities, provide training and bargain for better terms (whether that be on a personal level for salary and job title, or a business level with other departments).

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Be honest & passionate! – during my hiring process and when interviewing people I found it refreshing to hear about graduates and interns have a genuine interest in pursuing Compliance rather than being a fall back for a rejected training contract.

Build a network – Compliance graduate roles aren’t that well advertised so look to build a network on LinkedIn with individuals already in roles.

What are your plans for the future?

Continue progressing at my current firm with the ultimate goal of heading up the Compliance team as Chief Compliance officer.