UK Government Investments (UKGI)

Our team recently came together to hold a badminton session (first for UKGI!) with a mini-tournament among colleagues – a great way to stay active, build team spirit, and support mental health and wellbeing. Thank you, Arjun Sandhu, for organising this now weekly initiative! #UKGI

We have reach 7,000 followers! Thank you to each and every one of you for following UKGI and engaging with us. Your interest in our work and our people inspires us to continue sharing insights into the impactful projects in which we are privileged to play a part. Thank you for being part of our online community! #UKGI 

Meet Chun LAU, Corporate Finance Manager in the Financial Institutions Group at UK Government Investments (UKGI). Chun is currently pursuing a Data Science MSc as part of our Learning & Development initiative, which offers apprenticeships from A-level to master’s equivalent. Here, Chun shares his insights on the experience so far. - What motivated you to pursue this apprenticeship in Data Science? "The learn-it-all does better than the know-it-all" - Satya Nadella, Microsoft. “I am upskilling as I believe that lifelong learning is essential to harness the benefits of the AI revolution. Mastering topics such as Machine Learning, the foundation of generative AI, can significantly enhance my productivity and align with the government’s growth strategy.” - How do you anticipate the apprenticeship will enhance your skills in your current role? “It is enabling me to leverage the recent explosion in computing power to provide data-driven insights to government Ministers. By utilising the latest AI tools and driving more informed decision-making, I can help unlock the value of data across government.” - What were your initial impressions and expectations of the programme? “My initial impression of this programme is very positive. The university provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools while reinforcing foundational skills such as Python and data visualisation. The weekly ‘Data Bites’ seminars, featuring insights from start-up founders and industry experts, are invaluable for understanding market trends. Additionally, in-person teaching fosters collaboration with apprentices from other companies, facilitating knowledge exchange and the sharing of industry best practices.” - Why did you choose this particular field of study, and what is its relevance to your career in finance? “Data science is playing an increasingly critical role in finance, where vast amounts of structured and unstructured data are monitored and generated in real time. For instance, hedge funds use innovative data analytics, from satellite images tracking inventory turnover to carbon emission data measuring manufacturing activity levels, to make informed decisions. I aim to stay ahead of the curve by mastering data science, creating value, and advancing my career.” - What are you most looking forward to learning or experiencing during the apprenticeship? “I am particularly keen to explore the intersection of data science and financial innovation, as London is at the heart of the FinTech revolution. I’m excited to contribute to developing a new data-driven way of working at UKGI, uncovering hidden insights through AI-driven data analytics, and boosting our overall productivity.” Interested in joining our team? Discover more about the opportunities and benefits of working at UKGI: https://lnkd.in/eXyyHhMM #UKGI #Apprenticeship #LearningAndDevelopment

We recently hosted a Women’s Networking Event, bringing together women from across UKGI for an evening of connection. This event underscores UKGI’s ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration between colleagues, providing opportunities for mentorship, support, and informal knowledge sharing. It also highlights our broader efforts of creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive – efforts that extend well beyond this event. Over the past year, we surpassed our formal gender diversity target, with 45% of our senior management (Executive Director and above) now female – exceeding our Women in Finance Charter target of 40%. As a signatory to the Charter, we remain dedicated to working with HM Treasury and other organisations to build a more balanced and equitable industry. #UKGI #GenderDiversity #WomenInFinance

We’re pleased to have celebrated a successful year of partnership with the Cardinal Hume Centre, an organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and social exclusion by providing practical support to homeless young people, families in need, and individuals. It offers essential services, from housing and employment guidance to legal and educational support, to empower individuals and families in need. Over the past year, our team has supported the Centre’s mission by volunteering, fundraising, and contributing to the Centre’s food bank. Thanks to the commitment of everyone involved, our partnership with the Centre has grown stronger. We are proud to continue supporting their vital work, having named them our Charity of the Year once again during our recent Strategy Day. We look forward to another year of collaboration, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. #UKGI #CardinalHumeCentre #Charity

We are seeking a Finance Assistant to join our Finance Team on either a full- or part-time basis. In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of tasks, including: - Playing a key role in running the accounting and finance function as part of our Finance and Procurement Team. - Supporting the Assistant Finance Manager and Head of Finance across all aspects of accounting, including transactional posting, producing monthly management accounts, and performing bank reconciliations, VAT, and month-end accounting. - Working with our Commercial Lead to gain valuable insights into procurement and commercial practices in government. - Being part of the wider Government Finance Profession, with opportunities to broaden your experience across other government organisations. This role offers a great opportunity for individuals seeking a hybrid working environment with opportunities for professional growth and flexibility. Find out more about this exciting opportunity and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dphSTWvB #UKGI #FinanceAssistant #CareerOpportunity 

UK Government Investments (UKGI) recently welcomed Christine Hodgson CBE, Chair of Severn Trent board, as a guest on our latest ‘View from the Chair’ series. Here, she shared insights drawn from her extensive experience in leadership, finance, technology, and governance across various sectors. The ‘View from the Chair’ series is part of UKGI's Aspiring NEDs and Shareholder NED programme which aims to develop and support current and future Shareholder Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) in their roles enhancing corporate governance and strategic oversight. Specifically, this series aims to: - Provide valuable perspectives from industry leaders - Inspire our audience of current and aspiring board members - Enhance UKGI's position as a hub of expertise and thought leadership in corporate governance Thank you, Christine, for your invaluable contributions! #UKGI

This week, we give you a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of Julia Davies, Strategic Finance Manager at UKGI. - Can you describe a typical day in your role at UKGI? “I’m afraid I’ll repeat the cliché—there is no typical day in my role, it varies massively depending on what I’m working on. I am part of a joint unit wholly embedded in one of the departments, which is a very unique and interesting place to be. My focus spans three areas: my role on the Shareholder team for one of our assets, project work, and UKGI corporate risk review.” - What are the key responsibilities of your position? “On the shareholder side, it’s ensuring the governance architecture is in place, having the right people in the right roles, monitoring and supporting the Board, assessing and reporting on risk, and working closely with the government organisation and colleagues in its sponsoring department to keep the ship sailing smoothly.” - What are some of the key projects or initiatives you're currently involved in? “I’m focusing heavily on the succession planning for the government body I work with and running a recruitment campaign for one role. Balancing these various moving parts requires careful alignment, as they all move at different speeds. Another major focus is ensuring the government body aligns with the new government’s priorities, with a large redesign programme currently underway. Watch this space!” - What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your role, and what keeps you motivated? “I’m motivated by my inspiring colleagues, who have achieved incredible things both at UKGI and in their previous careers. Their passion and willingness to support and share knowledge pushes me to strive for more and take on exciting new projects.” - Can you share a memorable experience from your time at UKGI? “I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the UKGI ExCo observer scheme. It’s rare to gain such a privileged insight into the ExCo of your organisation and hear them speak so frankly in your presence. It says a lot about UKGI that they offer such opportunities.” - What’s your advice to someone starting out in your field and looking to build a similar career? “Go for it. You won’t be expected to singlehandedly nationalise something on day one. Everything we do at UKGI is a team effort, and that team is as big as you want it to be. Anyone is happy to provide support or be a sounding board.” Stay tuned for more insights and stories from our team at UKGI. Learn more about us here: https://lnkd.in/eXyyHhMM   #UKGI

At UK Government Investments (UKGI), we recognise that supporting mental health is key to fostering an inclusive and engaged workplace. To strengthen our efforts, we established the Mental Health & Wellbeing Working Group, which gathers insights across the organisation to help recommend meaningful actions. To create a safe space for open discussions about mental health, we provide access to counselling, and promote better well-being through activities such as walks, talks, podcasts, topical and social events, and maintaining a balanced diet. Recently, our Mental Health and Wellbeing Group held a workshop on resilience at our autumn Strategy Day. While there’s still more to do, we’re proud of the foundation that has been built and remain dedicated to ensuring mental health and wellbeing is openly discussed and supported at UKGI. Learn more about life at UKGI and our initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/ecFhHjFU  #UKGI #MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing

At UK Government Investments (UKGI), we value the diverse backgrounds of our colleagues from both the private sector and the Civil Service. To enhance collaboration and deepen our understanding of how government operates, we established the UKGI Working in Government network in March 2021. This initiative fosters effective communication and knowledge sharing across the organisation through monthly meetings focused on government-related topics relevant to our work. Discussions cover a wide range of issues, from policy-making and legislative development to the implications of fiscal events, such as Budgets, as well as updates following ministerial reshuffles or elections. The network is dedicated to enhancing the UKGI experience and promoting continuous learning, including helping colleagues from the private sector adjust more quickly to the public sector environment. The group also supports colleagues through induction processes, recruitment and secondment support, and during all-staff events, enabling them to reflect on and improve their practices when navigating government. Recently, the head of the Working in Government network, Catherine Steptoe, held an engaging session during our autumn Strategy Day. Overall, these efforts help contribute to UKGI’s mission to create value for society from the government’s most complex commercial interests. #UKGI #PublicSector