People stories: Helena Ariai, Investment Consulting Analyst

Since joining, I have had the opportunity to work across a range of clients and different areas of investment consulting. A large part of my role involves helping pension scheme clients monitor their investments, preparing quarterly reporting papers and rebalancing portfolios through asset transfers. I have also been able to get involved in more strategic work, looking at how clients' investment portfolios could be improved and supporting the implementation of these investment decisions.

One of the things I have particularly enjoyed at LCP is the level of responsibility you are given from an early stage. I have already had the opportunity to present directly to a client at a Trustee meeting, which was a valuable experience and helped build my confidence.

Alongside my regular client work, I have also been involved in a range of research opportunities. Through our manager research rota, I have gained exposure to different investment managers and asset classes, while my interest in Responsible Investment has led to opportunities to work on projects covering ESG, climate change and broader sustainability themes.

I was drawn to investment consulting because it combines analytical and problem-solving with a client-facing role where you can build relationships and work with a wide range of people. The role also offers a lot of variety, as you work with several clients that all have different objectives and priorities. This means you’re constantly learning about different investment strategies, asset classes and financial market developments, and applying that knowledge to help clients make informed decisions.

One of the things that attracted me to LCP was its size. The firm is large enough to offer exposure to a wide range of clients, projects and specialist areas, while still maintaining a collaborative and personal feel. As a graduate, that means you have the opportunity to learn from experts across the business and gain experience in different areas, without feeling like a small part of a very large organisation.

My positive experience as an intern also reinforced that LCP was the right place for me. I saw first-hand how supportive and approachable people were, and I enjoyed the variety of work I was exposed to. The culture, combined with the opportunities for professional development and early responsibility, made LCP feel like an ideal place to start my career in investment consulting.

One of the standout aspects of LCP is its supportive and collaborative culture. Everyone is very approachable and willing to help and as a new analyst I have always felt comfortable asking anybody questions. The buddy system was also very helpful when I joined as a graduate. When you join the company, you are paired with a buddy who acts as a first point of contact if you are unsure about something or need advice on a piece of work. Having someone approachable to turn to made it much easier to settle in, understand our processes and build confidence in those first few months.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved socially at LCP, with events organised both within client teams and across the wider department. These have included comedy nights, dinners and quizzes, which are a great way to get to know colleagues outside of day-to-day work and build relationships across the department. More recently, LCP subsidised tickets for us to attend the cricket, bringing together people from across the firm for a very enjoyable afternoon.

LCP also places a strong emphasis on professional development and offers a comprehensive study package, including funding for professional exams and dedicated study days. Each graduate is paired with a study mentor, who is there to offer advice and provide guidance throughout the studying process. I have also found teams to be very supportive during exam periods, which has made balancing professional qualifications alongside client work much more manageable and rewarding.