CAREER GOALS. MSP Capital intern Harry Frost with Becky Harris, Finance Director, at the lending specialist’s office in Poole, Dorset. On the table is Harry’s Wellbeing Champion trophy.
An intern with career ambitions in property or finance has praised a Dorset employer for extending his summer work experience into a longer-term paid opportunity.
Harry Frost was only meant to spend four weeks at Poole-based MSP Capital but then agreed a four-month internship with hopes of a more permanent position becoming possible in the future.
Directors at the lending specialist say the ‘internship structure’ around Harry’s experience has proved mutually beneficial and they are looking to progress it and attract more interns in years to come pending capacity.
Harry, 20, approached the firm after he had worked at a recruitment company and while studying business management at the Open University.
An ex-sixth former of Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne, Harry said: “I had known about MSP Capital being a development finance company for a few years and was thrilled to get the chance to work with them.
“I wasn’t too sure what to expect and I was surprised at how big the company is. In my first few days it was quite relaxed and there was lots of induction. I met the team and talked about what each department does. I spent time in operations, finance, underwriting, valuation and marketing, learning about the whole loan process.
“They treated me as a member of the team right from the start and made me feel included and at home. Everyone is entrepreneurial, works hard and they gave me a range of ad hoc tasks and mini-projects to work on. While I was expected to be hands-on and manage my workload to some extent, I felt completely supported. Everyone was approachable and happy to take the time to work closely with me. I wasn’t micro-managed. It was a great balance between having the chance to work independently and be a team member.”
While working on multiple projects from different departments, Harry was especially keen to praise the input of his line manager on the internship, Finance Analyst Duncan Ovens.
And reflecting on his learnings, Harry said: “My spreadsheet skills have definitely improved, I’ve done analysis work on overheads and fee income, and I didn’t know anything about the compliance side which is a major part of their work. I have really taken to it and learned a lot about the business.”
Harry said he enjoyed the wider culture and social life at MSP Capital too. He won the firm’s monthly Wellbeing Champion award, designed to promote health and fitness, for three reasons: his dedication in the in-house gym; playing with colleagues in a beach volleyball tournament in aid of charity; and cycling to work each morning. On a ‘car free’ day, he even paddle boarded across Poole Bay and walked into the office from Poole Quay.
Harry is due to complete his internship in November before travelling in South East Asia.
“I’ve spoken to MSP about potentially coming back,” he said. “They have a great culture and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made me feel so welcome. My advice to others is that I found this internship really enjoyable. Definitely take part in what’s going on as much as you can. That’s the best way to get something out of it and get experience under your belt.”
Becky Harris, MSP Capital’s Finance Director, said: “This internship was a great opportunity for Harry to get an understanding of all our departments and reflect on where he wants to focus his career. Both we and Harry have benefited from and enjoyed the internship. It is great to have someone so dedicated and focused on their career and personal progression. That’s the kind of energy and focus that MSP Capital loves. We now have a successful internship structure set up and we look forward to progressing this and bringing new interns into the business in the future.”
For more information, visit www.mspcapital.co.uk.
ENDS
Note to editors: MSP Capital is one of the largest providers of property finance in southern England. Founded in 1981 and with a new head office in Poole, Dorset, we are a principal development and bridging lender, offering businesses and individuals nationwide lending solutions for sums up to £20 million, with a specific focus on the southern counties and London. Our team of property and finance experts combine market-leading professional insight with entrepreneurial spirit to help our clients grow successful businesses. Over the past 40 years we have continued to make time to support causes close to our hearts, raising smiles as well as much-needed finance. Our most recent efforts include fundraising for children’s hospice Julia’s House and partnering on community activities with AFC Bournemouth. For more information, visit www.mspcapital.co.uk. Enquiries on this news release to Scott Sinclair in the MSP Capital media team on 07500 796666.
