Students scoop awards in national trading challenge

Three business students from the University of Derby have won two awards in a national finance trading competition.

William Tomlinson (21), Daniel Hannigan (25) and Miguel Angel Espiragres (39), all BA (Hons) Banking and Finance students, won both the Portfolio Challenge and Treasury Challenge Awards at the 2016 University Trading Challenge.

The team beat off tough competition in the 6th annual challenge, which was held at the Sir John Cass Business School, University of London, on Friday December, 9.

The University Trading Challenge is targeted towards undergraduate and graduate university students who are seeking a career in the financial sector.

The competition consisted of a simulated trading market that enabled students to experience real world capital markets while testing the students’ abilities to strategise, analyse and present their ideas.

In the Portfolio Challenge, William, Daniel and Miguel had to control a portfolio of investments for 100 minutes and were monitored on their level of risk. The Treasury Challenge consisted of working in their group to manage cash investments for a company.

William said: “This was our first opportunity to prove that we can work together successfully and what we can achieve as part of a team and individually. It was thrilling to develop these skills and exciting to put them to the test in a real trading environment in front of real traders and bankers in the city of London. This has given us more determination and confidence as to what we can achieve in this sector after we graduate from the University of Derby.”

Daniel added: “We are delighted to achieve two trophies after such intense training leading up to the event.”

Dr Nicola Lynch, Head of the Economics and Finance Division at the University, said: “We are very proud of our students and their achievements. This is the fourth successive year that our team from the University of Derby has returned from the University Trading Challenge with awards. This compounds the fact that our students are best in class.

“The students work closely together as a team for six weeks leading up to the trading event completing a number of challenges. They have worked closely with our Financial Economist Sudip Patra and Programme Leader Dr Eugene Michaels, who have been there at every hurdle to support them. The students worked hard and performed excellently throughout the process.”