A week at Chadwicks: spreadsheets, strategy, and seeing it all in action

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Chadwicks?

We love giving opportunities to curious, motivated young people, and while we can’t take on every placement as a small team, we do our best to say yes whenever we can. Ella’s CV impressed us from the outset with her blend of analytical skills, interests and experience in volunteering, and clear commitment to learning that runs through everything she’s done. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes at Chadwicks, this is what Ella, our latest work experience student, had to say…

A week at Chadwicks: spreadsheets, strategy, and seeing it all in action.

There’s something slightly surreal about stepping out of university life and into a professional office for the first time. One minute you’re thinking in essays and theories, the next you’re surrounded by spreadsheets, client conversations, and words like “inflation risk” being used very seriously before 10 am, nodding along, hoping your expression says “engaged and insightful” rather than “still processing that last sentence.”

That was my introduction to Chadwicks, and I quickly realised I was going to enjoy it.

As an Economics student at the University of Manchester, I spend a lot of time understanding how things should work. This spring week was a chance to see how much of that actually translates into practice. It turns out the real world is broadly similar, just faster, more detailed, and with far fewer conveniently labelled diagrams to fall back on.

Thrown in at the deep end (with a lot of tabs open).

My first task was to work through the insights on the Chadwicks website, summarising each one into clear, concise key points. These would sit at the top of blogs to make them easier to navigate and more visible online.

It was a great way to get stuck in straight away. It forced me to think carefully about what really matters in a piece of writing, what the reader actually needs to take away, and how to communicate that clearly. This gave me a solid understanding of the kind of thinking that underpins the firm’s approach.

Sitting in on a team meeting that day gave me an immediate sense of how collaborative the environment is. Everyone was involved, ideas were shared openly, and it was clear that each person plays a role in moving things forward, often at a pace that keeps you very alert.

Inflation: the quiet overachiever.

One of the most interesting parts of the week was a presentation from  James Bacon, Chartered Financial Planner, on the firm’s investment strategy.

The idea that stood out most was that inflation, rather than market ups and downs, is often the bigger risk to long-term wealth. It was a perspective that really stuck with me. Coming from an economics background, it was interesting to see how theory translates into real decision-making and client advice.

It is not the most attention-grabbing risk, but the most consistent, quietly doing its job in the background while everything else gets the headline attention.

Marketing, but with intent (not just nice colours).

I also spent time with Angela Brett, who leads marketing, learning about how Chadwicks presents itself.

We talked through everything from branding choices to how the firm communicates its message. It made me realise how much thought goes into creating a consistent identity. Every detail has a purpose, and it all contributes to how clients understand and trust the business. It definitely changed the way I look at branding; there is a lot more going on beneath the surface than you would expect.

A bit of Excel and a bit of everything else.

The second day brought a mix of tasks. I built an Excel spreadsheet comparing executive education programmes from other organisations, helping to identify ways Chadwicks could refine its own offering. It was a practical task that developed my attention to detail and gave me a better understanding of how businesses stay competitive.

I also worked on slides covering the US, the Iran conflict and its potential impact on markets. This was one of the most engaging parts of the experience. It showed how current events feed directly into financial decision-making and highlighted just how interconnected everything is.

A seat in the room where it happens.

On my final day, I attended a meeting with an external accounting firm to discuss a potential collaboration. It was really interesting to see how these conversations work in practice. There was a clear focus on building strong relationships and finding ways to work together effectively, rather than just focusing on short-term outcomes.

It was also useful to see how ideas are discussed, challenged, and refined in real time, and how decisions are shaped through that process.

What I’ve taken away.

Coming into this spring week with an academic background in economics, I was hoping to build on what I have learned so far, and I came away with a really positive impression of how Chadwicks operates as a business.

What stood out most was the people. Everyone I met was approachable, supportive, and clearly invested in what they do. There is a strong sense that clients are genuinely at the centre of everything, not just in theory but in practice. You can see that care is reflected in the way decisions are made, the attention to detail in the work, and the emphasis on long-term outcomes rather than quick wins.

It is clear that the team takes pride in what they do and in the relationships they build, which made the whole experience both welcoming and insightful from the start.

Final thoughts.

Overall, this experience has given me a much clearer idea of what working in this kind of environment is like, and it is something I can truly see myself pursuing further.

It has been engaging, varied, and rewarding, and it has helped me connect what I study at university with how things work in practice.

A week well spent, and definitely one that has left a lasting impression.

— Ella Peart 😊

May 2026.