Corporate Finance Associates/Managers

UK GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS LTD

RECRUITMENT OF

CORPORATE FINANCE ASSOCIATES/MANAGERS

Information for Applicants

Closing date for completed applications

[25thJuly 2016]

ABOUT UK GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS LTD

UK Government Investments (UKGI) (formerly the Shareholder Executive which was part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) was established in April 2016 as a wholly owned company of HM Treasury. Its aim is to improve the Government’s performance as a shareholder in businesses. It currently has a portfolio of around 20 businesses in which Government has a shareholding, and works with Government departments and management teams to help these businesses perform better.

UKGI has also developed a wider role as a corporate finance resource within Government which includes leading on asset sales and advising on corporate governance, special situations and other government commercial interventions. In recent times it also led (as Shareholder Executive) on the creation of new public bodies such as the Green Investment Bank and the British Business Bank.

UKGI works collaboratively across Government as trusted advisors to Ministers and senior officials, providing crucial advice and support to ensure that the taxpayer gets best value from the assets it owns.

It is a small, agile professional organisation comprising around 95 staff from both the public and private sector. It is led by a Chief Executive, 4 Directors and 18 Executive Directors, who are supported by a team of Assistant Directors, Corporate Finance Associates /Managers and a small pool of Analysts and administrative staff.

Working for UKGI provides a unique opportunity for talented individuals from both the public and private sector to contribute to work of national importance.The organisation is looking to recruit a number of professionals with a background in corporate finance, debt restructuring and M&A.

The development of our staff is a top priority, and we aim for everyone who passes through UKGI to leave with a better position than would otherwise have been the case. All our staff have a detailed career development plan, focusing on growing their networks, undertaking formal training and on the job learning.

Further information can be found on the UKGI website:

ROLE OF CORPORATE FINANCE ASSOCIATES /MANAGERS

As a Corporate Finance Associate/Manager, you will work with small, dynamic teams on asset sales, corporate restructuring and corporate governance providing analytical support including financial modelling. You will also provideevaluation support, research and business analysis on portfolio businesses, including work on valuation, monitoring and transaction issues, as well as leading on UKGI’s internal investment management processes.

This is a crucial support function to the team of Executive and Assistant Directors who take the lead in managing the shareholder relationship with portfolio businesses. Depending on the size of business and nature of the Shareholder Executive’s role, the number of businesses within an individual Executive or Assistant Director’s remit can range from one to several.

Corporate Finance Associates/Managers in UKGI work across the full range of UKGI’s activities. The overall responsibility will be to monitor the performance of all the businesses and their relevant markets in which they operate and to provide financial analysis to assist decision-making on portfolio companies, major asset sales and government interventions.

Specific activities include:

• regular financial analysis and reporting to Assistant/Executive Directors;

• financial modelling including reviews of historic and projected performance;

• regular portfolio monitoring to support quarterly and annual shareholder reviews;

• valuation of the Government’s holdings;

• supportingAssistant/Executive Directors on specific portfolio companies, cross-portfolio discussions and external interactions (with portfolio companies and other Government Departments);

• working with key stakeholders and external advisers to execute major asset sales by the Government;

• providing analytical support to UKGI’s internal investment management processes.

Analysts may also get involved in various one-off projects involving financial analysis of historic and projected performance, reviews of capital structures and strategic analysis (e.g. market sizing, competitor analysis, preparation of case studies etc.) and in supportingspecific transactions.

Experience and Key Competencies Required

Essential experience

• proven corporate finance background at analyst or associate level (or equivalent);

• 2-5 years’ corporate finance experience (e.g. investment banking, strategy consulting, accounting, leveraged finance, structured finance);

• Excellent financial modelling skills and understanding of financial analysis, company valuation and accountancy;

• Strong written and oral communication skills to be able to convey complex financial scenarios with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm to non-specialists;

• Ability to work collaboratively, share information and build supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions as part of a team and with colleagues at all levels;

• Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. Helping to build a performance culture to deliver outcomes with a firm focus on prioritisation.

• Excellent analytical skills to swiftly gain an understanding of a wide range of complex issues and organisations.

Desired experience

• Understanding or experience of working with the public sector and/or working with Ministers.

MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Duration

These roles are offered as a fixed term appointment for 3 years with the possibility of an extension and the potential of permanent employment following completion of this term.

Salary

The remuneration package for these appointments will be around £55k per annum. The actual salary awarded will be negotiable and dependent on the preferred candidate’s relative experience. Current salary is not a factor.

Salary will be reviewed annually in line with Public Sector Pay Policy, and subsequent increases and eligibility for non-consolidated performance related bonuses will be determined by affordability and Company/individual performance.

Retirement Age

There is no mandatory retirement age for UKGI staff.

Pension

UKGI has a defined contribution pension scheme and the appointment will be pensionable from the outset.

Hours

Full-time staff work a 37 hour week, excluding lunch hours. Part-time and job-share arrangements will be considered for these roles.

Annual Leave

Annual leave allowance will be initially 25 days increasing 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days, plus public holidays to be taken at set times of the year.

Season Ticket purchase

After 3 months service you may apply for an advance of salary to purchase a season ticket.

Conflicts of Interest

If you or your partner has any actual or potential conflict of interest with the activities of UKGI or elsewhere in Government, this should be declared clearly in the application. Any indirect association of this kind through any other family member or partnership should also be disclosed.

Confidentiality

UKGI employees owe a duty of confidentiality and loyal service to the Government. This obliges employees to exercise care in the use of information which they acquire in the course of their official duties and to protect and maintain the confidentiality of all information which is held in confidence.

In accordance with the UKGI Conduct and Compliance Policy, staff must not seek to frustrate the policies or decisions of Ministers by the use or disclosure outside the Government of any information to which they have had access. Any breach of these provisions may result in disciplinary action and in certain circumstances criminal or civil proceedings.

All UKGI employees are subject to the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Eligibility

These roles are open to UK Nationals, Commonwealth Citizens, EEA Nationals and other member states and certain non-EEA family members.

The position is not open to MPs or anyone active in, or perceived to be strongly aligned with, a political party at national or local levels.

Equal Opportunities

UKGI are committed to fair and open competition. It is an equal opportunities employer and aims to reflect the diversity of British Society. Applications are welcome irrespective of sexual orientation, gender, age, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability or marital status. UKGI are open to exploring flexible working, recognise the diversity within its workforce and seek to accommodate individual leave requirements.

SELECTION PROCESS AND TIMETABLE

To apply, please send the following information to: Jan McQuaker

• a full CV with your, education and professional qualifications and full employment history;

• a short covering letter summarising your suitability for the role;

• details of two referees (referees will only be contacted with your knowledge and after the shortlist stage of the recruitment process is completed);

• a completed Diversity monitoring form (attached).

If you have any specific questions please contact Jan on020 7259 8744

Selection Process

All applications will be acknowledged on receipt. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by email.

The closing date for applications is Midnight on [CLOSING DATE: 25th July 2016].

Hays Executive will sift all applications shortly after the closing date and all applicants will then be advised on the outcome of their application.

Candidates selected for first round interview will be invited to meet with Hays Executive for an initial chat.

The second round will consist of a presentation and interview with a Selection Panel consisting of Executive Directors and/or Assistant Directors in UKGI. All interviews will take place in London.

Travel Costs

All candidates should be prepared to pay the cost of travel to interviews. This includes the cost of those travelling from overseas.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

A guaranteed interview scheme will operate for disabled people as defined under the Equality Act 2010, who meet the essential criteria for the appointment as outlined in the section on “Experience and Key Competencies Required”. Applicants who wish to apply for consideration under this scheme are asked to state as such. The selection panel will assess applications on merit and will employ open and transparent processes in determining candidates most suitable for appointment.

Pre-appointment Enquiries

These roles will involve access to sensitive Government information or assets, and the successful candidate will be asked to undergo an appropriate level of security vetting. If you are successful, UKGI will also carry out enquiries into your nationality, conflicts of interest and other matters before a formal offer of appointment is made. Subject to satisfactory completion of the pre-appointment enquiries, you would be invited to take up the role as soon as possible.

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