Careers in financial services rarely follow a straight line.

In this Best Of episode of NRG Insights, we bring together standout moments from four conversations that show how people actually find their way in the industry — often by accident, necessity, or saying yes to the wrong job before it turns out to be the right one.

Featuring Nick Hilton, Ashley Ilsen, David Weir, and Anastasia Ttofis, this compilation explores how very different starting points can lead to long-term success in finance, from bridging and development lending to banking and specialist legal services.

Across these clips, we talk about timing, risk, career pivots, and what happens when the market changes faster than your plans. There’s no blueprint, no polished career ladder — just honest reflections on what helped these individuals progress, adapt, and build meaningful careers in financial services.

If you’re early in your career, considering a move, or simply reassessing where you want to go next, this episode offers real perspective from people who’ve already navigated the uncertainty.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why most careers in finance start by accident
• The value of saying yes to opportunities you didn’t plan for
• Switching industries and starting again
• How timing and market shifts create unexpected openings
• Why resilience and curiosity matter more than a perfect CV

Listen now and explore how different paths can still lead to success in financial services.

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