The Northern Trust UK Apprenticeship program is targeted at post school students from diverse backgrounds who face barriers to entry to third level education. With the goal of immersing students in real work experience, working in partnership with Investment 20/20 the program was launched as a pilot in 2023 with five new apprentices. 

For some apprentices, this will be their first step into the financial services world. The program is based on a blended learning model with a duration of 2 years in total. This allows the apprentices to ‘earn and learn’ – spending 4 days per week working in their role with us and then one day per week dedicated to studying towards an Investment Operations Certificate (IOC) level 3 qualification.

Learning is at the heart of their development with specialized training and a strong support system in place from their manager, team, workplace mentor, early careers consultant, academic mentors and lecturers.

Learn from our apprentices below.

 

 

Layla Osbourn: Apprentice | UK Fund Accounting

 

What interested you in the UK Apprenticeship Program with Northern Trust?

Being new to the industry, it was difficult to determine what I wanted from a role I hadn’t previously done, in an industry I hadn’t worked in before. However, what really interested me in the UK Apprenticeship Program was the fact Northern Trust is a global company – this meant I could have the opportunity to work with people from across the globe, which was very exciting.

 

Best part of the program?

The best part of the program for me has been working for a company with such a strong and genuine sense of culture.

The ‘Northern Culture’ has provided me with a supportive, inclusive and genuine workspace – something I believe has been a significant part of how much I have been able to thrive and grow throughout my apprenticeship. I truly could not have asked for more encouraging or supportive colleagues.

 

What has surprised you most from your time at Northern Trust?

How everything eventually falls into place – I remember feeling completely out of my depth at the beginning of my apprenticeship. The terminology felt like a foreign language, and the various systems and processes were overwhelming.

But somewhere along the way – although I cannot pinpoint exactly when – it all started to make sense. Things just clicked and now it all feels natural. You just have to keep going and trust the process.

 

Tell us about the supports on offer to you during the program?

As mentioned before, of course I had my amazing team as well as the rest of my apprenticeship cohorts’ support, but the program also offered the support of Investment 20/20 which has been invaluable. Investment 20/20 gave me opportunities to attend industry events and workshops with likeminded individuals also at the beginning of their careers whilst learning about the industry and connecting with experienced professionals.

All of this, alongside the additional opportunity to be an ambassador for Investment 20/20 was the perfect support to help develop key professional and interpersonal skills.

 

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to the Apprenticeship Program?

Absolutely go for the program!

Speaking as someone who was initially unsure whether to choose university or an apprenticeship, I can confidently say the connections, knowledge and hands-on training I have gained over the past two years have been truly invaluable.

 

Fast Facts

Area of study: A Levels: Maths, Economics and Psychology

What are you reading or best podcast recommendation: I am currently reading ‘The People on Platform 5’ by Clare Pooley – it is about a group of people who get the same train whilst commuting to work each day, so actually quite relatable (and ironic considering I read it on the way to and from work each day!)

Who are you listening to most right now: Fleetwood Mac, can’t go wrong!

Favorite sports team / person: I am actually not too into sport, so I would struggle to answer this! I have however been loving watching the Women’s Euros this year

Comfort food: Any form of pasta – however I do specifically love carbonara!

Best advice you’ve received (work or non-work related): Before my first apprenticeship interview, someone gave me a piece of advice that really stuck with me: treat the interview as a conversation, not just a ‘test’

It’s not only about the company assessing whether you’re the right fit but also a chance for you to see if the company and role are the right fit for you. That mindset really helped take the pressure off and made interviews feel more natural – I’d definitely recommend this approach to anyone preparing for interviews!

Favorite part of the London office: The views of Canary Wharf, especially when it is sunny

One word to describe Northern Trust: Friendly

 

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Owen Scammell: Apprentice | Investment Operations Outsourcing – Market Operations

 

What interested you in the UK Apprenticeship Program with Northern Trust?

Coming from a unique background in plumbing, I was excited by the opportunity at Northern Trust to build a long-term career starting from scratch with no experience. What stood out for me was the ability to learn on the job, gain valuable soft skills and the chance of getting my foot in the door for further opportunities.

 

Best part of the program?

The exposure of gaining industry experience and knowledge while achieving sought after qualifications.

 

What has surprised you most from your time at Northern Trust?

No matter the experience and seniority, everyone will make time for a chat and is willing to help.

 

Tell us about the supports on offer to you during the program?

Lots of mentoring groups and buddies, skills coach for the apprenticeship program and your team around you.

 

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to the Apprenticeship Program?

The program is very rewarding and will give you in-depth industry knowledge, a strong network, and qualifications. It is a great starting point if you’re trying to kick start a career in finance.

 

Fast Facts

Area of study: Investment Operations Certificate and Investment Operation Technician

What are you reading or best podcast recommendation: Joe Rogan Podcasts

Who are you listening to most right now: Kanye West, Drake and Eminem

Favorite sports team / person: Portsmouth Football Club

Comfort food: Mixed grill or a loaded roast dinner

Best advice you’ve received (work or non-work related): You get out what you put in – relates to everything in life

Favorite part of the London office: The people

One word to describe Northern Trust: Collaborative

 

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Maisie Lewis: Apprentice | London Oversight Team, Investment Operations Outsourcing (IOO)

 

What interested you in the UK Apprenticeship Program with Northern Trust?

There were a range of roles available specifically operations roles which were my main interest and where I was placed (IOO). Northern Trust also offered the IOC exam as part of the apprenticeship program.

It was also appealing because it is a 2 year long program as opposed to shorter opportunities elsewhere.

 

Best part of the program?

The general support from all areas, all Global Fund Services (GFS) teams are willing to help whenever they can, and you get plenty of encouragement to get involved in different initiatives.

I believe that Kelly Foulger in particular has been a massive part of the success of the apprenticeship scheme.

I have an extremely supportive team, and they were a huge part of my decision to stay at Northern Trust post the apprenticeship program.

Investment20/20 support has been undeniably helpful in building confidence in the industry and helpful in building a solid skillset and network to rely on. Coupled with that, their events and networking opportunities were a really nice form of external engagement with other apprentices from other organizations.

 

What has surprised you most from your time at Northern Trust?

I had this preconception that everyone in finance was degree educated with multiple qualifications in the industry – I never appreciated how valuable experience is alone.

How building up a solid network can contribute to being valued and acknowledged for all of your efforts.

I was also surprised to hear how long people have stayed at Northern Trust for and how many partners chose to come back after locating elsewhere based off the fact that they couldn’t find the same culture.

 

Tell us about the supports on offer to you during the program?

The support from my team and department specifically - enabling me to take training courses as part of my apprenticeship qualification, allowing me to attend industry events to broaden my knowledge and network has been outstanding. I would like to also give a shoutout to the support from the learning and development team here who are always checking in and offering catch ups.

Coupled with that, the support from our designated mentors at the beginning of the program was invaluable.

 

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to the Apprenticeship Program?

First of all, I am confident that the application process will be one of the easiest and most comfortable experiences you will have out of all of the apprenticeships that you apply for – it was the best interview experience I had hands down.

This company isn’t looking for the top graded students or those with the most work experience, they are looking for personality, charisma, someone who they can genuinely see going a long way in their career not based off knowledge but instead their character.

 

Fast Facts

Area of study: A levels in Business, Psychology and History

What are you reading or best podcast recommendation: The best books I’ve ever read and ones I still enjoy reading today are surprisingly by Michael Morpurgo. His writing helped me massively in school and I have a different understanding of his writing now, reading it at an older age and seeing the depth behind his stories

Favorite sports team / person: I am not particularly into sports however I enjoy watching the Olympics

Comfort food: Has to be a typical roast dinner!

Best advice you’ve received (work or non-work related): Nobody knows if confidence is real – this has really helped me on client calls, I know If I am too nervous I come across as less knowledgeable, but speaking with confidence whether its real or not has helped me though many situations at work.

Favorite part of the London office: The canteen!

One word to describe Northern Trust: Supportive

 

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Justin Rigby: Apprentice | UK Financial Reporting

 

What interested you in the UK Apprenticeship Program with Northern Trust?

What interested me most about the apprenticeship program initially was the kind of work I would be doing whilst also gaining a professional qualification. I have always had a passion for working in financial services, and this apprenticeship was the perfect opportunity for me to gain exposure into the industry.

 

Best part of the program?

The best part of the program to me was moving on from working in the production team to oversight and applying my learning of each of the financial reporting processes to my oversight role

 

What has surprised you most from your time at Northern Trust?

The endless amount of learning opportunities and the fast-paced dynamics of the industry.

 

Tell us about the supports on offer to you during the program?

I was fortunate enough to have some of the most supportive managers and colleagues during the program. I had regular catch ups with my line manager, there was also other opportunities to network with experienced people in different teams etc.

 

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to the Apprenticeship Program?

If you are eager to start a career in financial services and would also like to continue learning and developing yourself, an apprenticeship at Northern to me, is the best place to do so.

 

Fast Facts

Area of study: Banking and Finance

What are you reading or best podcast recommendation: I am currently reading a book by economist Milton Friedman, titled ‘Capitalism and Freedom’

Who are you listening to most right now: America (the band) & Todd Rundgren

Favorite sports team / person: Arsenal

Comfort food: A Chipotle burrito

Best advice you’ve received (work or non-work related): Your life is your responsibility

Favorite part of the London office: The focus rooms

One word to describe Northern Trust: Inclusive

 

 

*Editor's note:

As of September 1st 2025, Maisie, Owen and Layla have been promoted and are now with Northern Trust on a full-time basis.

Maisie Grace Lewis - now converted to Technical Coordinator, Client Service Investment Operations

Owen Scammell - now converted to Technical Coordinator - Client Service Investment Operations

Layla Osbourn - now converted to Technical Coordinator - UK Fund Accounting