Pros
Some high quality practitioners and support staff who care about clients and doing things properly. Improving investment research and a wide range of funds/stocks available for selection. Analysts covering companies and funds accessible and eager to help.
Cons
Where to begin… A business cobbled together through multiple buyouts and mergers, orchestrated by private equity companies who want to maximise profit and minimise cost whilst trampling over clients and employees. A non existent HR department. Middle management with no autonomy or interest in making decisions, constant deferral to senior management who close the door on any improvements to the business that may cost money. Willfully ignorant and arrogant senior management who talk a great game of making improvements but have little to no interest in improving practitioners ability to provide quality client-led results, more focused on creating ‘value for shareholders’ ie PE ownership and senior management. Unequal pay structure with wildly varying packages and pension contributions depending on what legacy business you worked for. Hefty targets on new business with considerable massaging of figures to give the impression of continual growth. Very little consideration or attention seemingly paid to client retention and only supported by hard working staff who care about their clients. Multiple never ending projects to improve historic poor record keeping and due diligence being pushed onto employees who are already working beyond full capacity. A ‘just get it done’ attitude which pervades throughout the organization and driven from the top down. I could go on…it’s pretty sad to see it all really.
