Vivek Verma

An IBDP Graduate (Class of 2014, Pathways School Noida), Vivek Verma is currently a Graduate Wealth Advisor with the De Vere Group's India Head Office in Mumbai. In the current times where the global market is witnessing an economic boom alongside a high degree of volatility, wealth management is an interesting career area with multiple entrepreneurial avenues.

A career in the finance stock market always stimulated Vivek. Under the guidance of the College Advisor and the IBDP Academic Team at Pathways School Noida, Vivek carefully handpicked subjects that helped him boost his chances of pursuing his further education in his chosen field. Vivek went on to do his BSc. Business Economics from the University of Exeter. While at University, Vivek did a course on stock investing and got elected to become the Mutual Fund Manager in the Business & Finance Society of the University of Exeter. He represented the University in the Bloomberg Investment Competition and attended a Capital Markets and Investment Banking Insight Programme in UBS & Nomura at their London Head Office. During this period, he extensively networked with veterans in the wealth management field that helped him further learn the finer nuances of the trade. He then went on to do a summer internship in the Investment Department of SBI Life Insurance which helped him get hands-on experience.

After graduating from the University of Exeter in 2017, Vivek was immediately hired by the De Vere Group for his resourcefulness and insight in the field of wealth management. Having worked for more than a year and a half, he recently acquired his Level 3 Certificate in International Wealth and Investment Management by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Pathways, Vivek believes has been instrumental in channelizing his interests and shaping his career. It provided him the requisite exposure through a gamut of events, challenges and competitions bolstered by a plethora of co-curricular activities and sports that made him truly 'International minded'.

We are proud of Vivek's accomplishments in this short span of time. We do hope that his experience down the years would greatly help India too and this Pathwaysian Star would shine brightly in the firmament of the global financial market.

Vivek Verma Interviewed by Pathways

Q1. What triggered your interest in the field of wealth management?

I knew that I wanted a career in Finance since I was in the 10th Grade. The stock market, trading, investment banking and movies like Wall Street excited me. Choosing higher level Economics, Business Management and Mathematics in IB only reaffirmed my choice of pursuing a career in Finance; as I was fortunate to have excellent teachers who not only conceptually prepared me for what was to come, but also increased my interest in the field.

Q2. In your current organization, what are you designated as and what do you hope to accomplish in your current role?

My current designation is 'Graduate Wealth Advisor'. Given that I just cleared my exams that are a prerequisite for getting promoted as a Consultant within deVere, my current aim is to step up before Q2. Apart from aiming to get promoted; within deVere, my aim has always been to strive for perfection and help people at the same time while succeeding at my job. The solutions that we provide to our clients are world class and unparalleled. Our success speaks for itself with more than 80,000 clients globally and $10 billion under advice and management.

Q3. What really excites you about the Stock Market / Asset Management / Wealth Management?

Wealth & Asset Management excites me because it not only requires an understanding of economic concepts, world affairs and financial markets, but also requires you to have great interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with clients and build a rapport in order for them to understand your solutions and recommendations.

Q4. How critical is the element of "Networking" to be successful in this domain?

Networking is undoubtedly an essential element to be successful within this industry. It not only provides you with more perspectives and opinions, but enables you to access a wider market of potential clients, influencers and introducers.

Q5. A reflection on your time spent as Pathways.

Pathways was undoubtedly an instrumental phase of my life as I got invaluable exposure through various MUNs, conferences and intra-school events. Additionally, the supportive and fantastic faculty always pushed me to be the best version of myself by not only focusing on academics, but also extra-curricular activities that shaped me perfectly for University and beyond. I am very thankful to Dr. Advani and Mr. Abraham for their support throughout my time at Pathways.