Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to announce that FinTrU has renewed its sponsorship of the FinTrU Trading Room at Queen’s Management School for a further two years.

The FinTrU Trading Room, which replicates New York and London trading environments, provides students with access to 12 Bloomberg terminals, trading simulations and other financial software. The FinTrU Trading Room is a key component in taught programmes within the Management School and gives students a chance to use their skills in a simulated trading environment, combining financial skills with real life context and events around the world.

Dr Lisa Bradley, Senior Lecturer in Finance, commented:

“The FinTrU Trading Room is an integral part of the offering for students. While some things have changed on campus, students still have access to the room and to Bloomberg software, an important part of teaching. The FinTrU Trading Room is embedded into taught programmes allowing students to relate real world news and market activity to economic and financial theory.

"The facility is also vital for supporting extra-curricular activities such as the CFA Research Challenge and Queen’s Student Managed Fund.”

The FinTrU Trading Room sponsorship provides an opportunity to engage with students from their first day of undergraduate studies and this is supplemented by a range of student engagement activities, including guest lectures and other events, be they virtual or, in the future, on campus. The room also facilitates vital activities for students, like the Queen’s Student Managed Fund (QSMF), which provides students with the opportunity to manage and operate a real-money investment portfolio. Students currently manage funds in excess of £35,000 through Davy Group, Ireland's leading provider of wealth management.

Professor John Turner, Interim Head of School, said:

“We appreciate the support that FinTrU has provided over the last three years and look forward to continuing the partnership in the years ahead. At a time when some students have worries about the future, it provides encouragement that there are companies like FinTrU willing to invest in our students.

"This continued support helps us to deliver a highly skilled and flexible workforce capable of working in very competitive global markets.

“It is also testament to the teaching at Queen’s Management School that our graduates remain a valuable asset to a fast growing company like FinTrU. As a School we are keen to continue dialogue with companies to ensure that our students are well equipped for working in Northern Ireland’s knowledge economy, helping to drive growth and providing an edge on competitors.”

FinTrU first came on board as sponsors in 2017; during that time the company has seen their workforce grow from 180 to more than 700 employees. While teams are currently working from home, remotely, they have continued to recruit throughout the year through their Academy programme and other recruitment programmes.

FinTrU Founder and CEO, Darragh McCarthy, said:

"FinTrU has enjoyed a fantastic partnership with Queen's Management School since 2017 and we are delighted to continue our flagship sponsorship of the FinTrU Trading Room.

"In recent years, FinTrU has been one of Northern Ireland's fastest growing companies and our achievements can be attributed to the ambitious local talent who have played an integral role. The FinTrU Trading Room, along with Queen's Management School, allows students to gain an insight into real life industry scenarios whilst they complete their studies.

"This year has seen FinTrU hire 300 people which included six Financial Services Graduate Academies in both Belfast and the North West. These opportunities offer a fantastic avenue for any graduate looking for a fast paced and rewarding career in the Financial Services and FinTech industries.

"We look forward to continuing our partnership with Queen’s Management School for many years to come."

For enquiries about this story, or to submit a graduate news item, please contact Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen’s University Belfast.

Pictured above from left to right: Professor John Turner, Interim Head of School, Queen’s Management School; Aidan Cleary (Senior Vice President, FinTrU and Queen's graduate); Dr Lisa Bradley, Senior Lecturer Finance, Queen’s Management School