Stephen Thomas, 2020/21 Kolade Scholar

MSc Finance and Investment

Dear Mr Kolade,

I hope all is well. I'm pleased to be able to update you on my progress during my MSc, in what has been a very challenging year.

As I await my final results, I can shed some light on my academic achievements throughout the year. I achieved a grade of 77 percent in my financial modelling risk measurement assignment. In this module I really enjoyed building different financial models. In particular we were able to compute different risk measurement strategies such as value and risk (VaR) and Conditional value at risk (CVaR) which are more informative risk measurements than alternative measurements such as standard deviation. If you would like to read of this paper, I’m more than happy to provide you with a copy of my work. Furthermore, I also found my module on international taxation interesting as I was able to learn how corporations use transfer pricing to reduce their worldwide tax liability. I achieved 78 percent overall in this module and would be interested in reading more about international taxation strategies.

Unfortunately, due to COVID I was not able to play football for the University of Exeter, but instead I played for a semi-pro team in Poole throughout the year with which I reached the semi-final of the Dorset County Cup. I also worked on my personal development skills and worked on techniques and strategies that would help improve my stammer which should be beneficial when starting work. In addition, I spent some time talking to care leavers under the Ealing local authority to inspire them to pursue their individual passions.

I’m currently applying for jobs and researching different career paths that align with my skills and attributes. I have found that I would be suited and enjoy a role in being a business analyst and also very interested in pursuing a different career path in asset management. I’m really excited to implement my knowledge that I have learnt from my master’s course and apply it to real world situations to add value for future employer.

Finally, I just wanted to thank you again for the support you have given me. I would not have been able to undertake the MSc without the assistance you have provided, you have quite literally changed my life for the better and I hope one day I can repay the gift by helping someone in the future that was in a similar situation to myself.

I would like to thank you again for your generosity. With best wishes,

Stephen