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- Tasks: Join our graduate programme to gain hands-on experience in investment management and make a real impact.
- Company: Border to Coast, a leading global asset owner focused on sustainable investments.
- Benefits: Permanent contract from day one, paid study leave, and ongoing career development support.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that secures futures for over a million local government employees.
- Qualifications: Open to all degree backgrounds; just bring your passion for investment.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Application deadline: Friday, 13 February 2026, although we may close applications earlier dependent on the number received.
An opportunity to make a difference. Are you looking to start your career at an organisation where you can make a positive difference to people and our planet? Are you curious, numerate, keen to learn, a self‑motivated team player who loves reading and researching? Can you develop ideas into strong proposals backed by data? If this sounds like you, then we’re keen to hear from you. Whether or not you’ve already considered working in finance and investments, we’re looking for individuals that are excited by a challenge and ready to make an impact.
Our focus is to secure the futures of over a million local government employees – people who have provided valuable service to their communities and society. We’re a c.£60bn global asset owner, and the largest UK asset manager outside London or Edinburgh. We provide innovative investments that aim to deliver sustainable returns over the long term.
Our graduate programme: now open. The application process for our 2026 Graduate programme, starting in September, is now open. The programme provides a solid foundation for a career in investment management including training and accredited qualifications. Our graduates join us on a permanent contract from day one. Following completion of the graduate programme, you would then progress into a full‑time role as an investment analyst.
Diverse thinking is essential for great investment outcomes, so we encourage applications from graduates of all degree backgrounds (and we don’t require a 2:1 or higher). At Border to Coast, we believe investment skills can be taught. Our only pre‑requisite is that you have an interest in investment.
About Us. As a customer‑owned and customer‑focused organisation, integrity is one of our values, as is our collaborative and sustainable approach. Border to Coast is the largest LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme) pool in the UK. We are owned by 11 Local Government Pension Schemes (‘Partner Funds’) who represent 3,100 employers and over a million members. The Partner Funds are Bedfordshire, Cumbria, Durham, East Riding, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Surrey, Teesside, Tyne and Wear and Warwickshire.
The Partner Funds have c.£64bn in investments, of which Border to Coast is responsible for managing and overseeing £55.4bn (as of 31 March 2025). In October 2025, we confirmed that seven additional LGPS funds would join the partnership following the outcome of the Government‑led ‘Fit for the Future’ consultation. The seven funds (Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, and West Sussex) will formally join as Partner Funds in April 2026. They represent 900,000 members employed at 2,500 participating employers with c.£45bn of assets. Together, the 18 Partner Funds will have more than £110bn of assets, strengthening our partnership’s ability to harness scale to be more effective, more resilient, and more impactful.
Our purpose is to make a difference for the LGPS. We seek to do this by providing cost‑effective and innovative investment opportunities delivering returns over the long term for Partner Funds, their employers and over 1.1 million LGPS members. We offer investment opportunities across equities, fixed income, private markets, and global and UK real estate. Responsible Investment is central to our work and is embedded in how we invest across our range of assets.
In the last year, the Border to Coast team has won an IPE Silver Award for the UK Real Estate proposition, and the LAPF Investments Outstanding Contribution award for its report ‘Unlocking UK Growth’. It was also shortlisted for Pool of the Year at the LGC Investment Awards.
Our graduate programme: what you’ll be doing. The Border to Coast graduate programme is focused on developing knowledge, skills and behaviours in different areas of investment to make a difference to our Partner Funds’ investment outcomes.
Hands‑on experience. Our graduate trainees are immersed in and gain hands‑on experience of multiple investment concepts and teams to build skills, knowledge of the industry, what our Partner Funds need and how to develop ideas into compelling proposals. Over the course of the programme, our Graduate Analysts rotate through functions within our investment team. This includes a foundation rotation in Equity and Fixed Income research working closely with Responsible Investment and learning about Portfolio Risk and Portfolio Management. Graduate Analysts then rotate through teams leading manager selection, Customer Relationship Management, and Alternative Investments. You will work alongside expert colleagues with a wealth of experience in each field to gain hands‑on experience.
Qualifications. Personal and professional development are key features of the programme. This includes on the job training and fully funded qualifications that complement the programme – namely the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) Level 1, and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Levels 1, 2 and 3. Paid study leave is available.
Ongoing career development. You’ll have support throughout the programme to set you on the path for success. The long‑term career development of our graduates is important to us, and so we offer ongoing training in communication, personal, professional and career development skills on top of support for formal qualifications. Following completion of the graduate programme, you will then progress into a full‑time permanent role.
Graduate Programme 2026 in Leeds employer: Blue Octopus Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Blue Octopus Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Programme 2026 in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to alumni or professionals in the investment field. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to investment management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for investment! During interviews, share your thoughts on current market trends or recent news. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and opportunities right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Programme 2026 in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passions and interests. Authenticity goes a long way in making a memorable impression.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for our Graduate Programme. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for. Show us how your background can contribute to our mission of making a positive difference!
Show Your Curiosity: We love candidates who are eager to learn! In your application, mention any instances where you’ve gone above and beyond to research or understand something new. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the investment field and your commitment to growth.
Check Your Details: Before hitting that submit button, double-check your application for any typos or errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Octopus Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s mission and values. Understand their focus on sustainable investments and how they aim to make a difference for local government employees. This will help you connect your answers to what matters most to them.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Since they’re looking for curious individuals, prepare some thoughtful questions about the graduate programme and the investment strategies they employ. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to engage with the challenges they face.
✨Highlight Teamwork
As a self-motivated team player, be ready to share examples of how you’ve collaborated in the past. Discuss specific projects where you contributed to a team’s success, especially if they involved research or data analysis, as these skills are crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Data-Driven Discussions
Since the role involves developing ideas backed by data, brush up on any relevant analytical skills or tools you’ve used. Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving with data, as this will resonate well with their expectations for an investment analyst.
