Emma Nangle, Project Lead Consultant, First Derivative

So what’s involved in your role with First Derivative?

Currently I’m working as a consultant at State Street, one of our financial industry clients. I’m part of a team there working as part of an anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing team. So on a daily basis we are analysing clients funds and finding out who the owners and beneficiaries are and ensuring that these funds are regulated in compliance with the latest legal requirements.

Is there much variety in your job?

It is a very varied job. One week you could be working with funds with a client here, then you could find yourself in a different country, a different location and a different client, working in either the technology or legal sectors.

How did you choose your career?

I studied law at Queen’s University in Belfast. Then I did a Masters in Business. I then saw that a career with First Derivative would give me the perfect fusion between the worlds of law and business, with a lot of opportunities in the regulatory sector.

What do you like most about your job?

Travel was very important for me in my career, and that was one of the key reasons that joined First Derivative. In fact, on my second day, I discovered I would be moving to New York and a week later I was there working in Credit Agricole bank in their regulation sector.

What skills do you need to be successful?

I think it’s important to work on your technical skills, and constantly refine and improve on them. Strong IT and technical skills are very important for any job, especially when you’re working with funds, you’ll be dealing with online platforms and it’s important to get some familiarity with these systems.