Portfolio Strategy Analyst Review

I work in the Portfolio Strategy Team. I help the bank achieve its goals in regards to its properties (offices or branches) over the world. I am particularly involved with the offshore portfolio for the properties in Europe, Middle East, India and the Far East. I organise the creation PowerPoint packs using various bit of data to help the senior management decide how to take the bank forward in the most efficient and beneficial way for RBS. I also help create numerous business cases, which are created after the senior management decide to take action on a particular property. This Business Case gives a financial and strategic run down of the decision taken, and gives the reader a clear picture of the benefits (and sometimes hindrances) of the decision. This document then goes to senior management to be signed off and the necessary actions taken to execute the decision made. I also regularly interact with colleagues from all over the world, not just the UK.

I have developed numerous skills since joining RBS. I have massively increased my ICT skills as I use programmes such as Excel and PowerPoint on a daily basis. I have learnt much about business itself, having never studied it as school/college. I have learnt various technical skills that are specifically related to my job role, such as creating a business case, how to work out the Net Value of a property, how to work out depreciation of a property over time etc. I have massively developed my People Skills through interraction with colleagues. Although I've always had good people skills, I feel I have improved upon what I already had since joining the bank. Particularly in a much more professional sense, as I only ever worked in retail before RBS, and it was alot more 'informal' on a day to day basis so to speak. Whereas at RBS, I am dealing with senior management who have been at the bank maybe even 20-30 years, so it requires me to be alot more professional when interracting with them.

I do enjoy my programme. If I am completely honest, a few years ago I'd have never pictured myself in the position I am in today. I never studied business at college, and never even thought about joining a bank until I realised the career path I was trying to take just wasn't for me. Looking back, I wish I had have studied business at college, however back then I had different ideas for what I wanted to do with my life. I have found this programme extremely interesting, I have learnt a lot and it has given me a small insight to the diversity of roles and career paths in a banking organisation. I also enjoy the area that I work in, as I find the property side of the bank extremely interesting to be involved with. I really feel that using this apprenticeship learning will give me a foundation of knowledge for when I go on to a course that is more specific to property and my area of the bank, as that is my next goal.

I feel valued by RBS. My Line Manager is extremely supportive of me and wants me to push myself to the best I can be. I can tell this because he is regularly in discussion with me about the next steps I can take after I have finished the programme. The trust my manager has in me has increased over time, because I have noticed that over the last few months, he has started to involve me in more and more aspects of his work as I become more familiar with the bank and my role. We don't get much recognition from outside the bank,a s my role is not customer facing. My 'customers' are the senior management.

It is very well structured. Thanks to my Skills Coach putting together my ILP. With this ILP I can see which exams are to be taken and when, and what coursework is due in and when.

The BPP provide lots of support. My skills coach, [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions], is always on hand to provide any support I need. Through our monthly catch ups, he assesses where I am in terms of my learning, and offers support on how to further it. Before my ICT exam, I received a call from a lady at BPP to check that I was all set for my exam later that week. I thought that was a fantastic gesture from BPP.

My manager, [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions], is there to offer support when needed. I have also been offered support from various members of the team.

For an 'apprentice' I feel that I am paid well. Most 'apprentices' tend to be on less than minimum wage, but at RBS we receive a proper base salary. When I was working in retail I was on a few pence above minimum wage for 21+ and at RBS I am on a fair bit more and I am only on the 'apprentice' level. I was able to live and travel off my previous wage, so I have no problem living off my current wage. It has also enabled me to move in with my girlfriend, as it is enough to support myself. It will be interesting to see if my wage can cover the cost of a car if I am to get one soon.

There are not many events outside work that affect me? I play football on the 7 a side league at the local college near me, however that has nothing to do with RBS? I'm not sure whether this question is asking me to link outside opportunities to RBS, its a very vague question in my opinion, however that could be just me wrongly interpreting it. Apologies

Yes

From my personal experience, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at RBS. This is just from working in L&PS so it may differ in other departments, but our team is fantastic to work in. There are many opportunities to develop yourself and RBS make you aware of this and offer the support you need.

My advice is only apply if you are up for a challenge. I have said further up that I used to work in retail, and the difference is huge. I am pushed an awful lot more at RBS than what I was beforehand. The industry and competitive and changes with the click of a finger, so it is challenging to work in as you could be juggling various pieces of work at the same time each week. If you don't think you can handle that then don't apply. You should also just be yourself, your colleagues wont like it if you try and be something your not. RBS is so diverse in terms of people and personality, that everyone is unique and is themselves. I would also reccommend taking advantage of any opportunities you are given.