08 February 2010

The Virtual Investment Club is a new collaboration between the Faculty of Business & Law and leading stockbrokers Redmayne Bentley.

The project has been driven by our recent graduates Lauren Charnley and David Wragg, who now work for Redmayne Bentley, liaising with Principal Lecturer Paul Houghton.

The aim of the Virtual Investment Club is to encourage students′ entrepreneurial and business skills and to help develop the skills and knowledge that they will need as graduates.

Students receive a virtual investment of £100,000 which they trade on the stock market. The group which generates the highest profit emerges victorious. Starting in October 2009, ten groups, incorporating 39 students, participated in the project.

The winning group consisted of BA (Hons) Economics for Business students Matthew Quinn, and Harry Marshall, BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance students Jack Illingworth and Foong Ing Lee and BA (Hons) Public Relations student Yuan Ling Yap. The group made a return of £3,000.

Matthew and Harry attended an event in the Rose Bowl on 5 February to receive their prizes on behalf of the group. Matthew said: ”This was a great opportunity to gain a real insight into the industry, it was good fun and really interesting to see how it all works by trading on he stock market to make a return on the investment.“

Each student received a certificate, a cheque for £50 and leather-bound visitor card cases from Redmayne Bentley, with an offer to visit the firm′s premises for a further insight into the firm′s activities.

The presentation was made by Keith Loudon, Senior Partner at Redmayne Bentley, and Martin Allison, Dean of the Faculty of Business & Law. Martin also presented gifts to Lauren and David in recognition of their significant contribution.

This competition is one of many which signify the dedication of the Faculty of Business & Law to its students and to strengthening its links with the business community.