Working at IG Group

Read what our employees have to say about working with IG Group and learn more about developing your career with us.

George Ward (Market Analysis Developer)

I joined IG Group from University in October 2009.

My first exposure to IG Group was through the website. I was completely blown away by PureDeal – it's a truly innovative and advanced trading platform. Since joining the company my Java skills have strengthened and I’ve had the opportunity to attend a Spring Certified training course where I learnt to create coherent and cohesive enterprise applications with minimal programming, which helps minimise the likelihood of things going wrong.

One of the great things about IG Group is that from day one you work with extremely innovative and interesting platforms and technologies. I’ve had the opportunity to work with third-party data mining companies that supply financial data, which is really interesting. Graduates who join our company are definitely more than just a number: your contribution matters and you’ll be actively involved in the decision-making process for your project.

Anna Slesarew (Market Analysis Developer)

I graduated from Wroclaw University of Technology in Poland and specialised in information systems and software development.

I really wanted to specialise in Java and IG Group gave me the chance to do that. I’d never really thought about working in finance but could see how exciting and interesting it is. Developing creative business-leading solutions is important here. If you want to learn new technologies and work in a place where there is a continual push for new ideas, then this is the company for you.

The first six months were very varied and interesting. As part of the graduate scheme you get the chance to work in several areas of the business to find out how everything fits together. It was challenging, but also useful to see how the trading platform works and to get a feel for the customer experience.

Over the past three years, I've been able to get actively involved in the development of new products, which has helped me develop specialist knowledge in relation to a number of platform features.

Adam Blemings (Dealer)

After university, I spent a short time working in media sales. However, I soon realised that I would like to work in a more challenging and rewarding environment.

The position of Trainee Dealer at IG Group provided me with an opportunity to build on my proficiency in sales and communications and use my mathematical and business skills. My first few weeks included workshops and one-to-one training that enabled me to quickly pass my 'Bet Test,' IG Group's in-house standard confirming our dealers are able to execute trades for clients proficiently and accurately.

After six months, I was offered the opportunity to work in Shares and Futures, managing our exposure to risk and executing client trades in the underlying markets. Additionally, my colleagues and I investigate potential business areas, analyse market activity and review our pricing strategy. My next career move will be international, when I take up the post of head of dealing for our Australia office in November 2010.

Alex Maslin (Institutional Sales)

I first started work in a trainee dealer role. Trainee dealers benefit from intensive yet supportive training when they first start, to ensure that they understand CFD trading and spread betting principles, the markets and IG Group's internal procedures. After five months I was offered the opportunity to work as a business development manager, which is a coordination role between the business and IT.

I was responsible for specifying and driving key strategic projects as well as providing day to day business support to the global operations. I enjoyed the challenge of the business development role, however I decided that I preferred working in a client-facing position moved into Institutional Sales. My current role involves building and maintaining long-term successful partnerships with other financial institutions and broking houses, and looking at how our business model and that of the partner organisation can work successfully together.

Friendly, relaxed and supportive are words not often used to describe the finance sector but IG Group is all three, as well as being a business about growth and innovation.

Rachel Clark (Business Manager, Marketing)

I started out working for a large and successful investment bank. Although the post offered me financial rewards, I felt that the opportunity for individual growth and development was limited.

During my first two years with IG Group I worked on a variety of sales trading desks and enjoyed the challenge of building highly effective business relationships with my portfolio of clients.

One of the great things about working for a smaller organisation is that directors and senior managers are interested in you and your ideas for improving the business, so much so that when I spoke about the potential of setting up a CFD offering in Madrid, I found myself involved in a research project to assess its feasibility. I relocated to Spain as a Business Development Manager for 18 months and built up the business there. I have recently returned from Stockholm after undertaking a similar exercise.

My new role as business manager in the Marketing department involves creating an essential link between marketing and the rest of the business, ensuring that we deliver what the business needs.