[London] Best shops in terms of WLB/culture
Currently an M&A analyst at a generalist MM shop in Europe thinking about relocating to London (I heard, and the abundance of listings on the web seems to confirm it, that the demand for juniors is currently pretty high). The thing is my current firm strikes a pretty good balance between interesting projects with a fair amount of responsibility given to analysts and overall culture and work-life balance. I’ve come to realize that that’s something I value way more than, say, an above-average salary or prestigious name on the door, hence I was wondering what are the places/teams in London that offer at least a similar profile? Thanks in advance for any suggestions
Bump
Barclays NRG
Thanks a lot - could you please elaborate on what in particular is attractive about that group? From what I've heard, Barclays LDN in general can be pretty sweaty, however never heard anything about the NRG team specifically
Just spoke to a friend from there and can confirm. Effective a 10am-7pm shop, though preferably you need to stay online to midnight for last minute request. 90% of weekends are free and London overall respects one's holidays.
WFH arrangements are awesome and currently under 0 pressure to return to office compared to American IBs in London. No idea about deal flow though.
This is very, very incorrect
what does NRG stand for?
Energy
MM UK shops tend to be pretty good for wlb - you'll barely work weekends and evenings are pretty chilled, plus culture can be solid and you'll be working with people you'd actually want to go for a beer with.
Thanks for sharing that - would you care to drop some names of the shops you have in mind just so I know where to start with my search? I'm mainly aware of the bigger banks in the UK (BBs, EBs etc.)
Places like Numis, Peel Hunt, Investec, Stifel etc
Would be great to get some examples? Dont know many MM UK shops with good wlb, although depends how you define wlb. Most I know of typically work 9 to midnight most weekdays bar friday. Happy to stand corrected.
BofA healthcare, BofA LevFin are probably the best ones at BofA - work 12hr days and rarely on weekends in either teams. Good deal flow as well.
Can confirm - baml healthcare is a top group for culture
My 2 cents - avoid Jeff's, moelis, and arma and William Blair, FT partners
Most PE funds are pretty good for WLB.
WB analysts clock off at 5am every day
Any groups to avoid at BofA London based on WLB?
Heard that TMT and Consumer & Retail can get pretty rough
Absolute sweatshop: Jefferies. If you value WLB avoid.
Noted, thanks, very helpful as well
Does this relate to the whole firm or any groups in particular?
Whole firm. But absolutely avoid Power, Healthcare, TMT. Worst WLB even within the firm.
ECM, UK IB and M&A execution - better than the 3 above but still sweaty. It's Jefferies.
Have a friend that clocks off at 5am on sundays.
Heard very good things about PJT's Secondaries team
RW baird is good from what I’ve heard (especially for interns). You get most of your week ends
Oppenheimer FIG work 10am - 6pm
Anyone have insight into WLB at Credit Suisse or Wells Fargo in London?
Goldman, precisely their TMT group - great MM challenging boutique with amazing WLB
Literally one of GS's sweatiest teams in LDN
UK Coverage teams tend to have good hours/culture - regular socials + minimal weekend work.
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