Join our Investment and Trading Society

Are you an accounting and finance student, or have an interest in investment and the stock market?

Our Investment and Trading Society is a great way to meet like-minded students, participate in extracurricular activities, and gain real-world skills to boost your career prospects alongside your studies.

Investment and Trading Society

The University of Brighton’s Investment & Trading Society is a student-led organization dedicated to empowering members with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to excel in the world of finance and investing.

They host workshops, speaker events, trading simulations, and networking opportunities, fostering a collaborative environment for students passionate about financial markets, investment strategies, and professional growth.

Open to all levels of experience, they aim to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world financial practice.

Meet the team

Lily Bowers and Yavor Yanvev are responsible for organising regular events, engaging with industry professionals, supporting members’ learning, and ensuring the society’s growth and compliance.

Lily Bowers

“I’m the President of the Investment and Trading Society. I joined the society because I wanted to create a space where students could develop real-world investment skills, gain insights from industry professionals, and build a strong network. Finance is a competitive industry, and I saw this as an opportunity to give students an edge when entering the job market.”

Yavor Yanev

“I became the Vice President of Finance last year as the society wasn’t very active, and I wanted to change that. I wanted to apply my knowledge of finance and investments in a practical setting while also engaging with like-minded individuals.”

Why join the Society?

Joining any university society is a great way to make friends, develop skills, enhance your CV, take on leadership roles, and explore new interests. You’ll also benefit from valuable experiences beyond academics while finding a community that aligns with your passions.

Understanding markets, managing risk, and making informed financial decisions are crucial skills. As a member, you’ll learn:

• Stock market fundamentals
• Technical and fundamental analysis
• Portfolio management strategies

Through interactive workshops and live trading simulations, you’ll gain hands-on experience that goes beyond textbooks.

When asked ‘who can join the society’, Lily says: “Anyone with an interest in investment and trading, whether you’re studying finance or just curious about the markets. No prior experience is needed! No matter what degree you’re studying, basic finance knowledge and skills are so important for success.”

Networking opportunities

One of the biggest advantages of joining the Investment and Trading Society is the access to valuable networks.

Yavnev said: “We regularly host sessions with professionals from hedge funds, private equity firms, and investment banks. Organizing events and collaborating with industry professionals has improved my networking and leadership abilities. Additionally, working with a team to run workshops and now a trading simulation (competition) has deepened my understanding of market trends and risk management.”

Some examples of previous workshops and guest speakers include:

• Market Concepts workshop
• Intro to Bloomberg Terminal workshop
• The power of Compounding workshop
• Guest Speaker – Romain Diaz (CEO of Satgana) on Investing in Climate Solutions in Europe and Africa
• Guest Speakers – Adrian Slack and Wolfgang (CEOs of Trade Uni) on Decoding the Charts – Trading and investing insights, strategies and market psychology.
• Guest speaker – Conor McNicholas-Lawrence (Brighton alumni) – a hedge fund professional, sharing career insights and teaching key investment skills

Lily explains: “Students gain hands-on experience with trading simulations, investment analysis, and financial modelling. We also provide networking opportunities with professionals in finance, investment banking, and private equity.”

Participate in Exciting Competitions

Yavor explains: “We also run regular competitions to enhance students’ learning with particle examples, where members can practice using industry software and apply knowledge in real-time scenarios.”

These include:

• Trading Competition– A society-wide trading challenge to test and improve real-time market skills. Sponsored by Trade Uni, who are providing a prize of a £10,000 funded prop trading account
• Trading Plan Workshop – helping students develop a structured trading strategy for the upcoming competition, covering key aspects like risk management, market analysis, and disciplined decision-making.

Socialising and having fun

Being part of a society is a great way to make new friends and connect with students from different courses and backgrounds, providing a welcoming community to meet people with shared interests.

From casual hangouts to themed socials and trips, being part of a society offers countless fun experiences. The Investment and Trading Society’s most recent events have included:

• The Business & Investment Social at Enigma Stock Trading Bar
• Festive Christmas Trivia Night

These moments often become the highlight of university life, making it more enjoyable and fulfilling.

How to get involved

📧 Head to the Brighton Student Union website to find out more about how to become a member and start accessing the society’s exclusive resources and events.

📱 Make sure to also follow The Investment and Trading Society on LinkedIn and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.