As Oakglen Wealth continues to expand, we remain committed to supporting and celebrating every member of our team—both longstanding colleagues and new joiners. Today, we’re excited to welcome Tom Wheeler to our UK Wealth Team as a second Placement Intern, joining us through the Oakglen Wealth Internship Initiative. In this feature, Tom offers insight into his personal passions, professional aspirations, and what motivates him both inside and outside the workplace.
Thanks for joining us today Tom and a warm welcome to Oakglen Wealth. We would love to find out a bit more about you and introduce you to our ever-growing network of clients, financial advisers and professional connections.
How has your first month at Oakglen Wealth been?
It has been really good, I’m definitely learning and learning fast! I have hit the ground running, having been dropped into the heart of things. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I’ve already had some great exposure across the business. I find fund research interesting and listening to the Chief Investment Officer, Jeff Brummette, give his regular investment market update has been eye-opening. His display of knowledge with regards to market trends and all areas of macroeconomics is extremely impressive.
What inspired you to select Oakglen Wealth for your internship?
I had applied to a few other investor and wealth management firms around where I live, completing their respective applications, aiming specifically for investment management. I was looking for time spent somewhere working closely with markets and to be a part of the research and investment teams. Oakglen interested me for my placement as there is a massive focus on not just you are joining and shadowing other people but being welcomed to make a tangible difference in running the business. You are unable to get as involved as much with bigger businesses, always feeling like you’re not helping as much as you could. During the first few weeks, I’ve focused on doing things that needed to get done, which are the initial stages for myself and my intern colleague Jody Hollingsworth. The term ‘client focused’ does get thrown around quite a lot by investment firms, but coming into Oakglen has shown me how well they are doing things, especially when you hear about the shortfall of our competitors.
What was the selection process like?
It was a well-structured interview process, however far less intimidating than others I had faced (I won’t name names!). With other various institutions, they aim to catch you out with your answers and intimidate you too much without really allowing you to showcase your personality and skillset.
With Oakglen Wealth it was an easy and relaxed conversation to start with, my first impression was that it was already a lot less intimidating. It was far easier to talk to team members before we got into the actual interview process with the Chief Operating Officer, Nick Middleton, and Investment Manager, Eloise Rouse. Then a week later, a second interview again with Nick Middleton and the Managing Director, Dominic Tayler. The initial interview was a great opportunity to give an overall display of my university understanding, how I am keeping in touch with markets, and what I would like to develop during my placement. The second interview was a more in-depth discussion with Dominic challenging me and my current knowledge. All in all, it was a really enjoyable process.
How has it been getting to know your new colleagues so far?
Good, everyone is very nice, there are a few specific people who keep me busy, but everyone has things in common with each other and make a real effort to talk and get to know you. Obviously, it varies throughout the day but overall, everyone is nice and very approachable. I know I can go to anyone for advice when I’m unsure, especially if an instruction is not too clear, there is always some support for working it out. The team are happy to involve you in other things and get you to help in other sides of the business, which is invaluable exposure across segments.
What are your goals and aspirations for the upcoming year?
For this year, since I’ve always followed the macro side of investing (studying Economics and Politics), I will be closely following the macro situation and climate. In particular, the Israel-Iran situation, such as investment opportunities, key market trends, crude oil prices etc. This type of geopolitical situation is something I have always followed anyway.
I’m also understanding financial metrics more, such as in the analysis and notes of individual companies, the meanings behind different metrics and how they come together to paint a picture of said company. How this can apply to the macro situation, especially when projecting and looking ahead, and how that fund is likely to perform. I aim to implement my macro interests and learn more about financial concepts, whilst gaining more practical skills.
Taking MS Excel for example, I already felt quite confident and proficient in my experience, however there is still a lot to learn. I would also like to develop my skills with utilising the Bloomberg system and make myself more efficient, by helping my team and making Oakglen more efficient. This goes hand in hand with gaining more transferrable skills for the future, especially with post-graduate roles. I’m aspiring to develop my application of skills but also enjoy both experiencing it and learning from Jeff Brummette on the macro side. Witnessing the way Jeff looks at things and how I can apply that thinking myself.
I also want to make a tangible difference whilst I’m here, following in the footsteps of our previous placement intern, Seun Onayade. I’m hoping to have the same impact and provide a similar level of support during my time at the company, to a place where people can delegate to me and we can help fully, and thus aid growth.
That sounds great. Do you have a mentor or anyone to report into?
The Chief Operating Officer, Nick Middleton, is my manager, and we have already had an initial meeting to plan some things out. He supports me and is happy to field any questions I might have. Investment Director, Edward Maidment, is also a good mentor, since showing me the trading process interests me, and I wasn’t familiar with how it would work without individual trading desks. Ed not only walked me through the process, but also how this applies to the work he has assigned to me. This guidance is invaluable and as such, everyone on the wider team is a mentor in their own right, perpetuated through assigning tasks and helping me with client calls and queries.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This is a tough question. Hopefully I will have graduated! In terms of my career, saying something purely in wealth management is quite limited, so I will not pigeonhole myself at this stage. I have had exposure in the past to the sales and trading team on the sell side, which interests me still, and I can also see myself in some sort of management role, since I find investment management enjoyable. I love the balance between exposure of markets; the day-to-day change in markets and them being relevant to everyone. I also enjoy client interactions, especially in the private client are of Wealth Management/Investment Management/Portfolio Management. It is very appealing to me as someone who wants to work closely with markets and clients. Not every day is the same, since markets change every day so the repetitiveness is reduced and that is also something that interests me.
Are you undertaking anything additional in terms of your professional development?
I am looking into some qualifications with the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) to ensure my time is even more meaningful. I’ve previously done three online courses as and when I can. Whether I have the time to undertake such study alongside my current role or not, I guess only time will tell. I would like to gain my Level 2/3 CISI qualifications, with the Introduction to Securities and Investments completed by the end of the year. A lot of my friends and peers unfortunately won’t have the same opportunity, or be encouraged to undertake other qualifications, so I’m quite lucky in that respect.
How would your past colleagues and fellow students describe you?
To be honest with you, that really depends on at what age they knew me. My fellow university students at Exeter would probably say that I get stuck into my work and find a good balance of getting things done and still being social. I aim to complete tasks to a high standard but still have a joke, ensuring I’m not being entirely consumed or caught up. They would also say that I’m approachable and personable I think, whilst completing everything to a high standard. I like to achieve what is being asked of me at a top level. This feeds into client services significantly, the social element whilst working to a high standard, and that is quite unique to this kind of area.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work and study?
I thoroughly enjoy my sports. I play a lot of cricket when I can, however with work and commuting, I cannot make training at the moment. I usually play with the Old Cranleighans Cricket Club at my school and the Exeter University Men’s Cricket Club (EUMCC). I also enjoy challenging myself whenever I can, having run the London Marathon in April, which was a good excuse to raise money for charity whilst giving yourself a challenge. It certainly livens my life up here and there.
Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have.
When I’m at university, I am located by the coast and whenever there is good weather, you will find me on the beach. Outside of my work placement I would probably be meeting with friends and playing some sort of sport. In particular I enjoy playing golf.
What type of books and movies do you enjoy most?
I’m not reading anything right now, but I have been recommended ‘Liars Poker’ from Jeff Brummette’s reading list. Not too long ago I was reading ‘How Markets Fail: The Logic of Economic Calamities’ by John Cassidy. This was part of a university module however I thoroughly enjoyed this overall despite it initially being used as a study reference. The book focuses on a variety of elements, such as the historic reflective theory behind why markets fail, a more modern take and analyses the financial crash, talking back to those individual theories.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
For me, my Dad is definitely a big influence of mine, due to his drive and focus. He worked for most of his life as a trader, having been at Lehman Brothers when it collapsed. He is sadly no longer with us but was definitely a big influence and was always pushing me towards financial services. He had held a range of different roles at some of the top global banks such as UBS, Lehmans, Barclays etc. I’m roughly following in his footsteps and am pushed along by my friends. My friends and peers, especially at university, are also big influences, as we are always helping each other out. For example, when we were looking for work placements to ensure we go to the right space, with direction and purpose.
Do you have any creative outlets or interests?
I listen to a lot of music, and this coincides with running and gym, which are all a big interest of mine. Not that I am able to produce music! I played the trombone for 5 years but never made it past grade 1 as my friends like to remind me – so I’m not a musician but I am quite interested in music generally. I would like to think I have eclectic tastes!
What are some of your favourite spots in London to visit?
I would have to say Clapham, Clapham Old Town in particular, which has a great buzz. I also enjoy being down by the river, especially in Summer. Soho is also fast becoming one of my favourite places in London now thanks to joining Oakglen. I’m experiencing the area mostly for the first time and enjoying a good walk through the surrounding streets over lunch. This is nice to experience in the summer months. I enjoy the bustle around town and the touristy aspect, as not everyone is so consumed in their day from a working standpoint. It changes your perspective a bit when seeing people enjoying the city. I don’t actually live in London as of yet, but I should be moving next week.
Finally, what is your favourite food?
That is a tough question, as it really depends on my mood. If I must pick something, I will go with a smash burger. I also love a good pasta bake.
Thanks again for sparing us your time today Tom and we wish you all the best in your role at Oakglen Wealth.
We hope you enjoyed this quick-fire interview and gained some insights into the new member of our investment team. You can read similar content for our more established team members below:
Under the Spotlight: Jody Hollingsworth – Placement Intern (UK)
Under the Spotlight: Tara Le Feuvre – Assistant Investment Manager (Jersey)