'I'm an investment manager - here's the most important lesson I learned about money'

If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. Today we speak to investment manager Laura Longley from Evelyn Partners...

In investment management in London, a mid-level role would usually sit somewhere between... £60,000 and £150,000 in base salary. When you include bonuses, total compensation can realistically reach £100,000 to £250,000, depending on both performance and the firm you're at. At the more senior end, or in particularly strong years, that can go significantly higher, but it is very much tied to performance.

Bonuses are a key part... of the compensation structure and typically become a larger proportion of overall pay as you progress. They are linked to a combination of investment performance, business growth and overall firm performance. As bonuses are discretionary, they can vary quite significantly year to year, particularly depending on market conditions.

My work day starts... with an investment briefing led by our dealing team and catching up on news and current affairs. From there, it depends on what is happening in the markets. During earnings season, for example, more time is spent reviewing company results. On a typical day, you might be reviewing portfolios and trading, meeting with fund managers; speaking to clients; and dealing with ad hoc requests, alongside some administrative work. It is a very varied role and can change quickly depending on global events.

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Most people will have a degree, but... it doesn't have to be in finance or economics. It is a regulated role, so professional qualifications are important.

The most important skills are... the ability to multitask and to be able to interpret complex information and communicate it clearly in a way clients can easily understand.

The most important lesson I've learned about money is... the power of compounding. Starting saving early and staying invested can have a very significant impact over the long term.

Money is closely tied to emotion so... conversations can sometimes feel tense, particularly during periods of market volatility. My approach with clients is to stay calm, communicate clearly and set expectations early, so they understand what's happening and why. A big part of the role is providing reassurance and being a steady, reliable presence during uncertain times.

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In many cases, you're working with families across generations... so you develop a deep understanding of their circumstances, priorities and what matters most to them. There's a significant level of trust and responsibility involved, as clients are relying on you to look after and grow their wealth over the long term.

My advice to amateur investors to cope with the current market volatility is... be patient and understand what you are investing in. It is very easy to get caught up in hype or follow the crowd, which can lead to investing right at the top.

The biggest market crash or rally I've seen is...the COVID pandemic. It really stands out on both sides, as markets fell very sharply and then recovered almost as quickly. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of staying invested, even during periods of extreme uncertainty.

We aren't trading on a daily basis... the focus is very much on time in the market rather than timing the market. Markets are very difficult to predict, and recent years have shown how often unexpected events can occur, so the approach needs to be resilient rather than reactive.

There are a number of financial indicators that we pay attention to, including... corporate earnings and any changes to guidance, as well as broader economic data such as inflation, interest rates, employment figures and bond yields. Together, these help build a picture of the overall environment we are investing in.

The biggest misconception about investing is... that it's only for the wealthy. In reality, it is far more accessible than many people think and can play an important role in helping achieve their long-term financial goals.

What initially feels like a large sum can be... eroded more quickly than expected without a clear plan in place, so having that structure and discipline early on is crucial to ensuring it delivers lasting value.

If I could go back and talk to my 16-year-old self, I would tell them... Get a Junior ISA!

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