AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Border to Coast Graduate Programme offers an opportunity to start your career as a Graduate Analyst at an organisation where you can make a positive difference to people and our planet.
Our focus is to secure the futures of over a million local government employees – people who have provided valuable service to their communities and society. We’re an asset manager based in Leeds City Centre, the largest UK asset manager outside London an Edinburgh, and we provide innovative investments that deliver sustainable returns over the long term. We’re customer-owned and customer-focussed, collaborative, sustainable, and we act with integrity – those are our values and run through all we do.
If you are curious, numerate, keen to learn, a self-motivated team player, and you can develop ideas into strong proposals backed by data then we’re keen to hear from you. We welcome graduates from all degrees and backgrounds. We’re keen to encourage applications from individuals who are excited by a challenge and ready to make an impact.
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HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENT INVESTMENT FUNCTIONS
The Graduate Programme provides you with a solid grounding to develop a career in financial analysis, finance, investments and asset management.
Our Graduate Analysts are immersed in and gain hands-on experience of multiple investment concepts and teams to build skills, knowledge of the industry, what our customers need and how to develop ideas into compelling proposals.
Over the course of the programme, Graduate Analysts rotate through functions across our investment team. This includes a foundation rotation in Equity and Fixed Income research working closely with Responsible Investment and learning about Portfolio Risk and Portfolio Management. Graduate Analysts then rotate through the teams leading manager selection, Customer Relationship Management, and Alternative Investments. You will work alongside expert colleagues with a wealth of experience in each field to gain first-hand experience.
You can find out more about our approach to investment and investment philosophy here Our Approach To Investment – Border To Coast – UK Pension Pool
There’s more about us, our purpose and values, our Partner Funds, Board and executive here About Us – Border To Coast – Pensions Partnership
FULLY FUNDED QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Personal and professional development are key features of the programme. Graduates are supported with a complete ‘learning and development’ package. This includes on-the-job training and fully funded opportunities to gain formal qualifications: the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) Level 1 and 2, and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Levels 1, 2 and 3. Paid study leave is available. There are regular check-ins with your line manager and you’ll also get a “buddy” to support you day-to-day.
ONGOING CAREER DEVELOPMENT
You’ll have support throughout the programme to set you on the path for success. We commit to the long-term career development of our graduates throughout the programme and beyond. Ongoing training in other skills – communication, personal, professional and career development – is also provided.
Following completion of the graduate programme, you will progress to a full-time permanent role in one of the investment teams.
Pay and Benefits
As a Border to Coast Graduate Analyst, you will receive competitive remuneration and have access to excellent benefits:
- Hybrid working
- Onsite gym
- Cycle to work scheme
- 30 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays
- Sustainable travel plans and public transport discounts
- Stunning Leeds city centre location only a short walk to the train station
- Range of discounts for Leeds gyms, shops and restaurants
- Critical Illness Cover
- Life Assurance of 6 times of salary
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme
- Vitality Health Insurance for all employees
There’s also more information about pay and reward, careers at Border to Coast and how we work here: Careers – Border To Coast – Work With Us
Our recruitment process
The application process for the 2025 Graduate Programme is now open. Apply online through the links on this page.
We welcome applications from graduates of all degrees and backgrounds. We value diversity of thought. We are committed to creating an inclusive and engaging workplace, ensuring that colleagues maintain a work life balance. We encourage colleagues to progress, be themselves and be their best through both personal and professional development.
If you have a disability, or if you have a condition that you believe may affect your performance during the selection process, we are happy to discuss making reasonable adjustments for you. Please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@bordertocoast.org.uk
We’re looking for people with the right values, behaviours, skills and experiences. If you’re interested in our graduate programme, we’d welcome your application.
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Complete a quick application form. The closing date for applications is Friday, 24 January, although we may close applications earlier depending on the number we receive.
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You’ll receive an email from TestGorilla with instructions about an online assessment. This will take around 40 minutes to complete and assesses numeracy, verbal reasoning and critical thinking.
We have a holistic approach to the selection process and take into consideration your application form, CV, and personal statement, as well as the aptitude assessment. So, if you stumble on a question in the tests, please keep going!
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You will be emailed with a brief asking you to complete a short personal statement (300-500 words).
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Next there’s an in-person assessment day at the Border to Coast offices in central Leeds. You’ll know by 28 February if you’ve been invited to attend.
The assessment takes place on Monday, 10 March and Tuesday, 11 March, although you will only need to attend on one of these days. You’ll receive full details in advance about what to expect and how to prepare for the assessment. Please reserve the dates in your diary. It’s also an opportunity to meet colleagues from our investment teams, the wider business and some of our current graduates.
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After the assessment day, you’ll find out by 21 March if you’ve been successful. Your start date as a Graduate Analyst at Border to Coast will be 1 September, 2025. Congratulations!
However, if your application is not successful this time around, you’ll receive helpful feedback on how you did at the assessment day and are welcome to apply again.
Steps to success
Q&A: Graduate Analyst Sofia
What’s the best part of the Graduate Programme?
I think the best part of the graduate programme is the different rotations we are able to do and gaining the breadth of experience in different investment instruments. I would also like to add the current grads who make it so much less intimidating.
What have you gained through the Graduate Programme?
Although I am only a few months in, I would say that through the Graduate Programme I have gained valuable experience and knowledge especially from those who have had a long and established career. Everyone is so approachable, and you are sitting with portfolio managers with years of experience in the industry. I have also gained confidence in speaking my thoughts. As a younger member of the team, they really value your experiences and points of view.
How do your investment team colleagues support you and what difference has this made to your development?
Everyone is always up for a talk about something you’ve found interesting or having a look over your work and explaining concepts you don’t fully understand. It has been great to feel supported in my development.
How inclusive is Border to Coast? How much do you feel part of a team?
I’ve only been in one team so far and everyone goes out of their way to welcome you. There are so many things you can get involved in like the run club and social groups. You also get welcomed into a cohort which is currently on the Graduate Programme. They have been in your shoes and are more than welcoming and so happy to answer any questions. There are so many teams at Border to Coast to make you feel more settled in.
What’s your advice to anyone thinking of applying to the 2025 Graduate Programme?
Its cliché but be yourself! Answer truthfully and preparation is key.
Anything else you’d like to say/share about the Graduate Programme that would be helpful to someone thinking of applying?
Find out why you want to work for Border to Coast and not just why Border to Coast should hire you.