Alex and David discuss breaking in from PwC in Dublin to Lazard in London, the grim realities of life on the desk, and his thoughts on AI's impact on the industry. Off The Beaten Path David's journey began at Trinity College Dublin, where he studied economics and geography without a clear...

The largest merger and acquisition (M&A) deal of all time remains the hostile takeover of Mannesmann AG by Vodafone AirTouch PLC in 1999–2000, a landmark transaction that reshaped the global telecommunications landscape and set a record that has stood for over two decades. The Record-Breaking...

Discussions over a tie-up to create the world’s largest mining group come as race to secure copper reshapes the sector https://www.ft.com/content/33b05a8b-9de0-4e70-8530-7237df1bf0d9

More than 200,000 European banking jobs are under threat over the next five years as lenders increasingly embrace artificial intelligence. https://www.ft.com/content/71e12f85-1edb-4156-8cb5-3fe8aef36d93

Highest-ever number of megadeals lifts total value of M&A by 50% in 2025 https://www.ft.com/content/46b87305-4bd7-4e64-81f9-ad6b9a9bc429

Artificial intelligence has arrived across the financial services industry with the force of a market disruption, and the anxiety is universal. Investment banking analysts watch as AI tools fix typos, alignment on presentations and draft pitch books within minutes. Sales and trading desks see...

In this episode Alex discusses the investment banking industry with a Bocconi alumni, who spent 15 years in the trenches as a Director at Morgan Stanley's Capital Markets division. They cover topics like breaking in, AI, exit opportunities and the future of the industry.

Experts discuss what investors need to know for 2026 at the annual FT Money roundtable. https://www.ft.com/content/21f59bee-8747-4a44-b992-336ef4c5157f

Funds such as Balyasny, Jain Global and Qube are expanding operations to allow them to trade underlying markets https://www.ft.com/content/598c3bfc-008c-438f-837c-f7ec73a993f6

Paramount has launched a $108bn hostile bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery. https://www.ft.com/content/7981af0e-ad93-4c11-8c1c-09b0167bf4d6

The actuarial profession remains one of the most intellectually demanding and financially rewarding career paths in London and across Europe. While many associate actuaries purely with insurance, the reality is far more diverse—these professionals are the mathematical architects behind pension...

Global Markets, often encompassing Sales and Trading (S&T) roles in investment banks, includes activities like equities, fixed income, currencies, commodities (FICC), structuring, and research. Compensation in this sector is highly variable, depending on factors such as desk performance (e.g...

This guide provides an overview of management consulting salaries in London and broader Europe for 2026, based on recent data from industry sources. Salaries vary by firm tier (e.g., MBB: McKinsey, BCG, Bain; Big Four: Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC; boutiques and others), experience level, and...

The Big 4 accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—offer competitive salaries that vary by role, experience, qualifications (e.g., ACA, ACCA), department (e.g., audit, tax, advisory), and location. London typically commands a premium due to higher living costs, often 10-20% above other UK...

Private equity (PE) compensation in London and broader Europe remains highly competitive in 2026, driven by factors like fund size, asset class, experience, and regional differences. Data from recent surveys shows that total compensation typically includes base salary, annual bonus, carried...

The financial services sector hosts two powerhouse groups: the Big 4 accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—and the Bulge Bracket investment banks like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, and Deutsche Bank. Big 4 firms dominate...

Preparing as a Graduate for the Big Four in the AI Era As the Big Four firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG) redefine professional services through AI integration—automating routine tasks, launching AI assurance services, and shifting toward tech-driven models—graduates face a more competitive...

Breaking into investment banking (IB) from a Big Four firm (Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG) is absolutely possible—and quite common among those who plan it right. Thousands of accountants and consultants make this switch each year, often landing roles in M&A advisory, leveraged finance, or coverage...

Investment banking stays the golden ticket in finance, where the bonus component of your paycheck can swell two or three times your base in blockbuster years. It's not about just the cash only either—getting on an internship or graduate role can serve as the stepping stone into any solid...

Determining a fair equity agreement for a new startup depends on several factors, including the startup’s stage, valuation, funding amount, market norms, and the roles or contributions of the parties involved (e.g., founders, employees, investors, or advisors). Below, I’ll outline general...