Sturgeon marks first Scottish Financial Enterprise Young Professionals Annual Reception

The event reinforced the importance of young people to Scotland’s financial services sector and provided a valuable opportunity for guests to network with politicians of all parties.

Speaking at the event, the Ms Sturgeon, said: “Scotland’s reputation as a world leader in finance is well established and well earned. 86,000 people currently work in financial services, across the country. It’s a priority for us to ensure that financial services flourish in the years ahead.

“The SFE Young Professionals group helps to nurture new talents and new ideas so that they can benefit the wider industry. Its work in schools is helping more and more school leavers to learn about financial services, what the industry has to offer, and how they can prepare for the workplace.”

SFE Young Professionals was formed in 2016 by young people working in financial services to offer new opportunities and career development for the next generation. The network now has over 250 young professionals and holds regular events across Scotland.

Victoria Maclean, SFE Young Professionals Chairperson, said: “Developing and nurturing a young, skilled workforce is critical for all industries and in particular the continued success of Scotland’s financial services sector. We established SFE Young Professionals to do exactly that and I am incredibly proud of what the network has achieved to date.”

“Our young professionals are the future leaders of Scotland’s professional and financial services industry. We have the opportunity to effect real and meaningful change for the greater good of our sector and wider society. And we must take it.”

SFE Young Professionals is part of Scottish Financial Enterprise, the representative body for financial services in Scotland, but has a separate committee which sets its own agenda. This year, SFE Young Professionals will hold events looking at the changing landscape of work and how this will impact careers in the future.

They welcome all young professionals from the SFE membership and aim to provide opportunities for career development, events to develop industry knowledge and to give a voice to young people while also promoting the industry and encouraging innovation.

Graeme Jones, Scottish Financial Enterprise chief executive, said: “I’m delighted more than 100 young people have come here tonight to hear the First Minister speak and meet with politicians and senior figures from our industry.

“The next generation is integral to the future success of financial services in Scotland, which is why the SFE Board took the decision in 2016 to create a new network to provide opportunities for young professionals working across our 100-plus member organisations.

“SFE is determined to do everything we can to ensure we build and attract talent in Scotland and show our young people they can carve out a very successful career right here in Scotland. The strength of Scotland’s financial services industry lies in its diversity – it is a leading centre for pensions, investment, banking, professional services and asset servicing, which provide a broad-range of career opportunities for young professionals to flourish.

“I would like to thank Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, for hosting the inaugural Annual Reception and Scottish Financial Enterprise members Standard Life Aberdeen for sponsoring the occasion.”