News: Finito bursary mentee Nick Hennigan to chair new next gen board

Finito World meets Nick Hennigan to learn more about his new role bringing on the next generation at Finito 

FW: Could you tell us a bit about your background – and what has shaped your thinking most over the past few years?

NH: I am originally from Aberdeen and have been living and working in London for the past 2 years. The challenge for young people post University is not to be underestimated; I found it incredibly challenging to find my path and purpose. I studied a broad degree – International Business Management – which meant that I had lots of options which is a positive, but there wasn’t a specific direction calling out to me. I also believe in the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which is the “reason for being”. It is an interesting concept as it intersects: passion, vocation, mission, and profession. In essence, it provides clarity over what someone is good at, what brings someone joy, and what benefit can be gained. For me, I have a passion for finance, I really enjoy networking and thrive in social and professional environments, and I can see a successful career in being a Banker. This is what has helped shape my focus over the past few years, but hard work, determination, and a positive can-do mindset above all is what will help me get to where I want to be.

FW: You’ve been through the Finito bursary scheme – what did that experience give you, and how did it change your trajectory?

NH: I am grateful to Finito and my bursary donor for providing me with the career-ready mentoring which has led me onto a path which I feel is not only well suited, but one which will be incredibly rewarding for me personally and professionally. The sessions are delivered by mentors with perspective of what it is to have had successful careers within different disciplines, and how to navigate the opportunities and challenges on their journey to the top of their field. This kind of insight is invaluable and doesn’t stop once you have found a job. Ronel always says that “we never let go of our students” which is exactly what I experienced. Finito helped to channel my thinking and offer perspective on what may be a suitable path for me to follow, which was exactly what I needed especially as I was navigating my way through the challenges of my last role with my previous bank, and helped me to decide where I should focus on my next role to be.

FW: The next gen board is a new initiative for Finito. What do you think its purpose should be, and what do you want to achieve over the next 12 months?

NH: This is an incredibly exciting initiative, and one which I think is positive for Finito. As this is an organisation which helps young people, it’s imperative that young voices are at the heart of Finito’s decision making to constructively challenge and ensure that it’s fit for purpose, and provides the best possible outcomes for candidates. This is also a way for Finito candidates to connect with each other, reconnect with Finito mentors, and demonstrate the power of networking and what this can provide to the next generation of candidates of Finito. I am hopeful that the Next Gen Board can help to spearhead a sense of lasting community that should be associated with being involved with Finito, be that as a beneficiary, mentor or as a donor. My priority over the next year is to recruit a strong and diverse group of young talent to the Board, including past Finito mentees, to ensure that we can have as much debate and impact. Finito recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary, which is a terrific milestone, but the graduate market is different to what it was 10 years ago with the introduction of AI within workplaces, expansion of universities and their offerings, and the rise of apprenticeships, so it’s imperative that Finito helps graduates navigate this changing environment.

FW: From your perspective, what do organisations most often misunderstand about young people today? And how can employers better engage with their young workforce? 

I think that there are some obvious inter-generational examples I could cite here, not least an increased awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), wellbeing in the workplace, flexibility of working from home, and of course young people never knowing a world without technology. It’s important to recognise some of the positive progress achieved by organisations on these topics, but the real challenge I think that young people have in workplaces is being seen and supported to progress, sometimes without structure. The path to progression is seldom structured and beautifully presented to young people with clarity, which can be discouraging, lead to disenfranchisement, and ultimately the loss of good talent for organisations in the pursuit of being seen. Organisations should support and encourage their young talent to rise up within an organisation, and progress into more senior roles. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that statement, and most organisations would say that they do. The challenge is when timescales are misaligned, which is often because there is a divergence of interests between management and the young person themselves. I think it’s worth mentioning that being patient, working hard, and proving the individual value-add a young person can have on an organisation should always prevail, and I would encourage organisations to promote from within and support junior talent when they show promise. In essence, back them or lose them.

FW: What do you think makes a meaningful career, as opposed to just a successful one?

NH: I think that the difference between just a successful career and one which has meaning is how much of an impact that an individual can have on others. Being successful is more of an individual measurement, be that through achieving a promotion or reaching a salary threshold, but being able to inspire those around you, and to be a mentor for them, is what really carries meaning. Having the ability to positively influence those who are from the next generation, and to instil in them the values and lessons from a successful career, thus promoting a tangible legacy, is what makes a meaningful one. This is why, in my opinion, Finito is such a valuable organisation, as it promotes the concept of mentorship and the knowledge transfer between successful individuals with those who, despite being at the early stages of their career, are aspiring for greatness.

FW: Finally, what advice would you give to other young people trying to find their direction right now?

NH: I think that all young people need to find their USP, which can be focused using the concept of Ikigai (as explained previously) to channel their energies into finding the purpose they have within a certain role, organisation, and profession. I also am a firm believer in the idea that no conversation is wasted as you never know what may come from having a conversation in an open-minded way. The idea of patience I brought up in a previous answer, and I believe that while an opportunity may not be immediately presented, you never know when in the future one may be as a result of presenting yourself well and (hopefully!) impressing.