Anthony G.
About me
| Anthony G. | |
| History | |
| History | |
| Research Postgraduate | |
| 2012 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Economist | |
| British Business Bank | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Finance and consultancy | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2014 |
More about Anthony
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A day in the life of a Economist in the United Kingdom
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
British Business Bank is the UK government's economic development bank
What do you do?
Manage surveys of small and medium sized enterprises across the UK to inform the Bank's understanding of the demand side of UK SME finance markets. I contribute each year to the Bank's flagship publication Small Business Finance Markets Report https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/research/sbfm/ and for the last two years to the Bank's UK report in the OECD publication: Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs https://www.oecd.org/cfe/smes/financing-smes-and-entrepreneurs-23065265.htm
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
I have undertaken a number of social impact and economic impact studies previously and undertook a short training course to become a social return on investment specialist. I successfully applied for the role of head of impact and evaluation at Start Up Loans, a government backed programme managed by the British Business Bank and set up to deliver loans and practical support to entrepreneurs. This role enabled me to combine a passion for developing and reporting on social and economic impact measures. I subsequently joined the economics team at the British Business Bank. I have now been working in the finance sector for six years.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Yes, I wanted to be a historian. However, my degree in historical and critical studies was crucial in developing the right skill set to become a researcher and, together with experience of comparative historical, economic and social development, my previous industrial background helped me to obtain work for organisations undertaking economic and labour market studies.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Publication of the OECD Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs report in April 2020 - I have contributed the UK country report to this excellent publication for the last two years.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
Participation in the Centre for Eighteenth Century and White Rose post graduate workshops - both of which help to develop self confidence and presentational skills in a friendly, supportive and collegiate environment.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Undertake comprehensive research into the company and sector you would like to work for and in. Prepare thoroughly for the interview and, if possible, ask someone to help you to rehearse and practice for the interview. Try to get some practical work experience, for example on a voluntary basis, that will help you understand the world of work and the type of job you'd like to do. If you have a preferred sector, use glass door and other sources of information, for example university alumni who work there and have a profile on Linkedin, to help choose the right company for you.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Over 30 years' experience working with and for a wide range of private and public sector clients, charities and grant making organisations. Researcher, labour market economist, SRoI practitioner, experienced in evaluations and impact assessments. Manager of large-scale stakeholder engagement and research projects, working from a background in economic, financial and social inclusion, health, education, skills, economic development and community regeneration.
Currently economist, British Business Bank and formerly Head of Impact and Evaluation at Start Up Loans including part-time secondment to Social Investment Business (SIB). Formerly director and lead consultant for: economic assessments, social return on investment, economic and labour market studies, and community engagement in two Yorkshire based research consultancies and Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Employment Studies, University of Sussex.
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