Section: Graduate, Apprentice - and Internship Programmes
First Actuarial has been around since 2004, when a small group of like-minded actuaries came together to bring fresh thinking to pensions consultancy. Two decades later, we’re heading for 20% revenue growth this year, employing around 500 people across six locations.
We’re still an independent business with no chargeable hours targets, giving our people the time to deliver their best work and excel. We shape our high-quality services by listening closely to our clients’ needs. And we price those services fairly.
As we develop our business, prospects for our people grow. Our Basingstoke, Leeds, Manchester, Peterborough, London and Tonbridge offices provide supportive work environments where everyone can make a difference. We enjoy work and celebrate our successes. And we provide support and helpful feedback, so we all learn and improve.
We love numbers, but we love people more. Staff wellbeing and work-life balance have always been core values. Beyond the firm, we’re known for our integrity. We’re happy to challenge conventional thinking and speak up
We recruit investment graduates into our Basingstoke, Leeds and Tonbridge offices every year. Currently we are looking for graduates to join our Basingstoke office from September 2025.
All our graduates are welcomed into a stimulating work environment, working with professionals from diverse backgrounds in friendly and close-knit teams.
What do investment consultants do?
Investment consultants use numeracy skills and financial market knowledge to help clients with their investment decisions; designing suitable investment portfolios that balance returns with the risks that individual clients can afford to run. As the majority of our clients are pension scheme trustees, the service we offer and advice we give takes into account the need to balance the investment strategy with the pension scheme liabilities.
What will I be doing on a day-to-day basis?
Although it sounds like a cliché, no two days will be the same. As an investment analyst, you’ll be working with a range of clients. Initially, you’ll be involved in our excellent investment research and performance reporting as well as producing bespoke client advice and carrying out investment modelling. After a couple of years, you’ll be helping to manage client relationships and starting to attend client meetings where you will present and discuss our advice firsthand.
How will First Actuarial support my career progression?
As a new graduate, you’ll join our training programme to build up essential skills and knowledge. We provide an excellent study support package – including CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or IFoA (Institute and Faculty of Actuaries) membership fees, study materials and study leave – to help you qualify as an authorised investment consultant.
Testimonials
"I joined First Actuarial as a Graduate in the Investment Team in 2022, having done an internship the summer before as well, and my experience has been fantastic. The team has a very tight-knit feel, and everyone is invested in your progression and development, all the way down from the senior management to your line manager and peers. Joining as a graduate you very quickly get exposure to clients and are encouraged to take responsibility early on. The work we do in the Investment Team is incredibly varied and engaging and I would encourage anyone to apply to experience it for themselves."
Edward Winstanley, Investment Analyst, First Actuarial
"Joining as a graduate within the investment team at First Actuarial has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. Any challenges that I have faced due to the dynamic and fast-paced environment of the investment world have been overcome by the collaborative and supportive nature of the team around me. The inclusive environment within First Actuarial has always allowed me to feel comfortable to voice my ideas confidently and contribute meaningfully to our work. I strongly recommend First Actuarial as an excellent workplace for aspiring investment consultants."
Megan Smith, Investment Analyst, First Actuarial
We’re looking for team players with strong academic performance and an ability to deliver high-quality work. You should have at least a predicted 2:1 undergraduate degree in any discipline, as well as the following skills:
We’ll actively support you as you build your career – and reward you for doing so. At every level of seniority, we offer:
Our trainees develop a broad, transferable skillset which covers both technical and consulting areas. You will have opportunities to work on a range of projects and to develop broad business-critical skills.
All graduates are office-based for the first few months, thereafter, for colleagues who prefer homeworking for part of the week, we have hybrid working in place. We’re also flexible on working day arrangements and will happily accommodate a range of personal commitments from day one.
Our straightforward approach to recruitment which involves role-specific tests as well as interviews and a short presentation, ensures equal opportunities for all applicants.
Should you require information in a different format, have other accessibility or reasonable adjustment requirements, or if you have any problems not listed on this page, please contact HRHelpdesk@firstactuarial.co.uk.
Please note that we can only accept applications from candidates with a permanent right to work in the UK.
