For Brandy, joining L&G as an intern was more than a first step into financial services. It was a chance to connect his interest in sustainability, long-term investing and measurable impact with work that supports clients and communities in practical ways.
That internship helped him build confidence, understand the industry from the inside and see where his skills could add value. It also played an important role in helping him return through the graduate programme.
Now a Distribution Graduate Analyst at L&G, Brandy reflects on what brought him back, how his role has developed and why internships can be such an important route into a longer-term career.
What led you to explore a career at L&G?
Brandy’s route into financial services wasn’t traditional. Originally from Ghana, his studies took him across Europe before completing an MSc in Transition, Innovation and Sustainability Environments at University College Dublin. His studies shaped how he thought about impact and the role finance can play.
“I kept coming back to one question: how do you turn impact from an idea into something measurable?” he says. That question led him to pensions and long-term investing, areas where finance directly affects everyday life. From how people retire to how communities grow, financial services have the potential to drive more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.
“What stood out was the long-term mindset and the scale of responsibility. It aligned with what I was looking for in terms of both impact and growth.”
Before applying, Brandy first came across L&G through an early careers skills workshop run by Inclusion in Finance. It gave him a clearer sense of the organisation’s culture, its work across the investment industry and its focus on widening access to careers in financial services.
What encouraged you to return after your internship?
Brandy joined L&G as a Distribution Intern, expecting to learn by observing. Instead, he quickly found himself contributing.
“I was trusted with meaningful work from the outset,” he explains.
One project involved reviewing ESG components of funds for a client, giving him first-hand insight into how sustainable investing works in practice.
“I also delivered a climate change presentation to the wider team. It helped me realise that my academic background could add value in a corporate setting.”
What made the biggest difference, though, was the culture.
“There was a strong sense of support, a genuine commitment to learning and consistent engagement from colleagues. That environment shaped what I value in a workplace, and it played a key role in my decision to return as part of the graduate programme.”
How has your role developed since becoming a graduate?
Moving from intern to graduate meant a shift in expectations.
“One of the biggest changes has been moving from supporting tasks to taking ownership of outcomes,” Brandy says.
An internship can be a valuable way to build that foundation. At L&G, interns are encouraged to learn by doing, ask questions and get close to work that has a clear purpose. For Brandy, that early experience helped him understand the business, build relationships and show how he could contribute.
Graduate schemes at L&G are designed to go beyond observation. Instead of watching from the sidelines, interns and graduates are encouraged to contribute from the start, working on real projects that connect directly to clients, markets and long-term outcomes.
In his current role, he works on consultant questionnaires and proposals, helping translate complex investment content into clear, client-focused messaging, often to tight deadlines.
“I’ve supported work linked to major industry surveys, including one where L&G moved from silver to gold for Financial Wellness.”
Alongside this, he’s found opportunities to improve how the team works.
“I noticed inefficiencies in the bid review process, including repeated feedback cycles and inconsistent application of style guidance, so I built a Copilot tool to improve consistency and reduce repetition.”
What does your role involve day to day?
At its core, Brandy’s role is about communication and coordination across the business.
“Day to day, I support responses to requests for proposals (RFPs) and consultant surveys, working with teams across the organisation to make sure everything is accurate, consistent and clear,” he explains.
The work is highly collaborative, requiring input from across Investments, Product, Operations, Legal and Compliance.
“Knowing how to ask the right questions is essential,” he adds.
What support or opportunities have stood out?
Mentoring and wider experiences have played a big role in Brandy’s development.
“I’ve built a network of mentors through both structured programmes and informal conversations,” he says. “That’s helped shape how I think and approach my work.”
He’s also been actively involved in outreach and early careers activity, often supporting internship and graduate events through panels, hosting, insight days and mentoring conversations.
“Taking part in insight days and speaking to students has helped me develop my communication skills and reflect on my own journey.”
That includes supporting events with L&G’s charity partner Urban Synergy, which aim to inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as volunteering with Investment20/20 to share industry insights with sixth form students interested in investment management.
Outside of L&G, Brandy has continued to support youth development work, including co-leading a youth-led conference focused on sustainability and digital transformation.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
For Brandy, progression starts with taking initiative early, especially during an internship.
“Don’t wait until you feel fully ready,” he says. “Ask questions, take ownership of small responsibilities and build trust over time.”
For anyone hoping to move from an internship into a graduate role, that mindset matters. The internship is not only a chance to learn about the organisation, but to understand how you work, what motivates you and where you can make a useful contribution.
He also highlights the importance of communication.
“Being able to translate complex ideas into something clear is a really valuable skill.”
And finally, choosing the right environment matters.
“Look for an organisation where purpose shows up in the work, not just in what’s said.”
Building a future talent career at L&G
If you want early responsibility and the chance to contribute from the start, an internship is a strong first step. It helps you understand the industry, build relationships and move into a graduate role.
Explore current graduate opportunities, and other early careers opportunities to get started with L&G.
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