Q&A with Ed Collins: Promoting a culture of accountability in every opportunity

Ed Collins joined the Graduate Program in 2023 and as an Analyst for Macquarie Capital’s Software and Services Team works on live advisory deals and valuation exercises. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in finance at Macquarie?

One of the things that attracted me to Macquarie was the responsibility and visibility I could have here so early in my career. In my first year I’ve already been included in several client-facing meetings – whether in marketing or live deals – and have had frequent opportunities to contribute to broader discussions. This has allowed me to take accountability in my work, which is something I was looking for. It is great to work somewhere where I can carry out analysis and build a presentation, and then get to be involved in presenting it directly to clients. 

In addition to professional growth, our social impact work and volunteering opportunities through the Macquarie Group Foundation are also amazing. I’ve been fortunate to support several local community activities so far, such as our annual Macquarie Capital Cup in London. This is a five-a-side football tournament with our clients in partnership with Street League, a non-profit that supports unemployed young people in London. This was not only enjoyable, but it’s a great example of how Macquarie’s people and our clients collaborate for the benefit of the broader community. 

What does a typical day look like for you? 

As an Analyst in Macquarie Capital, I get to connect our client’s ideas to the capital they need to see them become reality. A lot of my time is spent creating discussion materials and pitches to convey how we can advise on strategic financial issues such as M&A, divestments and takeover responses, as well as debt and equity financing, capital management and restructuring. It’s quite varied and requires strong analytical skills to carry out valuation exercises and market positioning, which I find particularly rewarding.

In addition to the analytical work, perhaps my favourite part of the day is the direct contact I have with clients, whether they be businesses, startups or governments, working directly with C-suite executives. These experiences are highly valuable, especially so early in my career.

How does Macquarie invest in your career? How are you encouraged to invest in yourself? 

We work in small, specialist teams, which means that every member of the team holds responsibility and accountability for our work, regardless of seniority, and we all work collaboratively towards one common goal. Our structure and culture support everyone to voice their thoughts and have their opinions heard.

When I joined the Graduate Program, I was paired with a ‘buddy’ within my team, who was great at explaining the different workstreams and answering my questions. They also helped me to expand my network outside of my team. This support has been invaluable as a new joiner, as it has enabled me to quickly get up to speed and feel confident in my work.

What advice do you have for students looking to pursue a career in finance?

Firstly, it’s important to build on your understanding of finance as early as possible, and to have a broad commercial awareness on ‘how things work.’ I recommend reading the news regularly, particularly finance-focused publications. While the Program doesn’t require an accounting or finance background, doing so can be helpful in picking up the basics and staying across relevant topics and themes. 

Perhaps the most important advice I have is to make sure you understand and can explain your motivation as to why you wish to pursue a career in finance. Consider how you would answer questions like ‘Why are you interested in finance?’, ‘Why Macquarie?’, and 'Why this team?’ Strong, unique and well-considered answers to these questions can set you apart and effectively convey your attitude, motivation and understanding about the industry and the roles you wish to obtain.