The 23-year-old has organised a second Young Professional Networking Event on Thursday, November 8, with charismatic Paralympic sprint champion Liam Malone on-board as guest speaker.
Ross says the Vittle & Swig-hosted function, which starts at 6.30pm, is a rare opportunity for those in their 20s and 30s to make connections and talk about their careers.
“I did not go to university and started at Panoramic Wealth [the London Road business owned by his father Gary Jefferies] when I was 19,” Ross told the Times.
“Around 90 per cent of my peers [from The Skinners’ School] went to university, but after around 18 months I realised I had made the right choice.
“You used to need a degree to get through the door, but now so many have one it is no longer the be all and end all,” he said – pointing to the recent growth in apprenticeship opportunities.
“I was fortunate with my father having the business. But not everyone has that opportunity and more needs to be done in schools to say that having a degree is not the only option.”
Ross named Warners Solicitors and Cripps as examples of two large local companies looking to invest in young talent and encourages his generation to consider starting locally, rather than looking towards London.
He added: “Firms can’t wait for all of the original members of staff to retire before you worry about what they are going to do. They need a plan in place to replace the baby boomer generation.”
Last year around 50 people attended the first networking event and Panoramic Wealth are keen not to ‘drop the buck’ and continue the well-received format.
This year’s speaker Liam Malone won 200m and 400m gold, as well as 100m silver, in the Rio 2016 Paralympics for the T44 category – for athletes with single or [in Liam’s case] double amputations below the knee.
Ross came into contact with the New Zealander through his podcast The Bull Sessions which he presents alongside fellow young financers Tom West and Henry Martin.
Of Liam, who has also appeared on television series The Last Leg, Ross said: “He is a massive character and is very funny, so I asked if he would come down and he was happy to do so.”
To attend, and receive a free drink on the night, email: ross@panoramicwealth.co.uk
