Barclays practitioners deliver wealth management workshop for students

On 13 May 2026, undergraduate and postgraduate students at Surrey Business School joined an engaging workshop led by Barclays practitioners, gaining insights into wealth management and careers in the finance sector.

Students at Barclays Wealth Management guest lecture at Surrey Business School, 13 May 2026

The workshop was led by Vasilis Michos, CFA, Investment Advisor at Barclays Private Bank in London graduate of Surrey’s MSc in International Corporate Finance, and Konstantinos Sakellariou Christodoulou, CFA, FRM, who leads the Portfolio Construction function in the PBWM CIO Office at Barclays Wealth. Drawing on their extensive experience across private banking, investment advisory, portfolio construction, risk budgeting, and multi-asset investment strategies, the speakers provided students with a practitioner-led introduction to modern wealth management.

The session combined real-world private banking experience with the technical foundations of portfolio construction, illustrating the end-to-end journey from client advice to portfolio implementation. Students gained valuable insights into how bespoke investment strategies are designed for clients, how portfolio decisions are structured across asset classes, and how technical tools are used in the buy-side wealth management industry.

Two representatives from Barclays Wealth Management at a guest lecture for Surrey Business School students

The session, organised by Dr Christos Mavrovitis, attracted a strong audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in careers in finance, particularly in private banking, wealth management, and investment advisory. Alongside the technical content, the speakers shared practical employability insights, highlighting the skills, roles, and professional qualifications that can support students seeking to build successful careers in the finance sector.

The interactive discussion gave students the opportunity to ask questions about career pathways, industry expectations, portfolio construction, and the transition from academic study to professional practice.

This event reflects Surrey Business School’s continued commitment to connecting academic learning with industry expertise and supporting students’ career development through direct engagement with finance professionals.