From London to Doha, and even further afield, Edward Foxhall’s career journey has already spanned several continents. Now based in London and working on projects across the UK and MENA region, Edward recently completed his IMC qualification with Kaplan while balancing a busy analyst role.
We caught up with Edward to learn more about his exciting career and studies.
Could you tell us about your career so far?
I began my career in the venture capital (VC) industry, spanning approximately three years across the UK, Japan, and Taiwan. At the same time, I was completing a joint undergraduate degree at the University of Warwick and Kyoto University.
After graduating, I joined Alpha FMC as an analyst, where I’ve been involved in projects in both the UK and the MENA region, working closely with asset managers and owners.
What motivated you to pursue a career in banking and finance? Was it always the plan?
For me, finance offered the perfect balance between the quantitative and the qualitative. Consulting within this space feels like the best of both worlds. I also wanted to challenge myself and surround myself with motivated and intelligent people who would push me to grow. Firms like Alpha and other asset management consultants are perfect for this.
Did you encounter any challenges during your studies?
Yes, one of the big ones came in my first year at university when I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I’d always struggled a bit with spelling and handwriting, but I enjoyed essay writing and just kept working at it until I improved.
Interestingly, tutoring others in Maths, Economics, and History at GCSE and A-level really deepened my own understanding and helped me build stronger skills in those areas.
How has the support been from Kaplan and your employer?
Overall, the support has been good. While it would have been beneficial to have a more comprehensive follow-up plan in place after your studies, I did receive a very comprehensive set of textbooks and online resources.
The tutors at Kaplan were also excellent - very personable and genuinely enthusiastic.
Alpha has been fantastic in terms of support during my role and studies. Alongside funding my studies and providing calculators, I also received five days off for study leave. They also set up buddy and mentor guidance sessions, which made a big difference. Overall, I’d say the support has been great.
Before starting your studies, what did you expect? Has it been what you expected?
I went into my studies expecting it to be a lot more intensive studying and long hours, but for my IMC studies at least, I found it required less time than anticipated. I believe my economics background also contributed to this.
How have you developed within your job role through your studies?
The IMC has helped me understand regulations in greater depth. While not all parts of the curriculum are directly applied to my current job role, I can still see the value of the qualification. The certificate is designed to bring people from diverse backgrounds up to speed with the fundamentals of the industry.
What advice would you give to others who are studying or struggling with their studies? Can you share your top three study tips?
- Block out dedicated study time in your calendar and stick to it.
- Know your 'why', and constantly remind yourself why you’re pursuing the qualification in the first place, because this will carry you if your motivation dips.
- Don’t get discouraged by comparing yourself to others. Some of your peers will naturally move faster, but as long as you give your studies the time and effort they deserve, you’ll get there.
What are your plans for the future?
For now, I want to continue building my career at Alpha as a consultant. Ideally, I’d like to take up a secondment to the MENA or APAC region at some point. I’m also considering working through the CFA levels in the future.