It’s been 12 months since Morgan Stanley opened its new Glasgow office. As the firm plans for its 20th year in the city, we talk to Glasgow’s Managing Director and Co-General Manager, Vida Rudkin

Tell us about the new office, are you settling in well?
We are delighted with our new office, having everyone together in one building has been a huge benefit, enabling us all to work and collaborate more easily. 

The central focus in the design of our building was to maximise collaboration, by providing purpose-built spaces that encourage partnerships. This included developing innovative working areas, important for better integrating technology, so that each business area can partner with tech experts to enhance and develop their offering.

We have also added new facilities such as a gym, medical centre, hearing loops and a restaurant. The addition of inclusive spaces, designed in consultation with our diversity groups, has been extremely well-received. These spaces include a larger all faith room, wudu facilities, and even the provision of gender neutral toilets. The updated facilities have enabled all of our staff to feel more comfortable in the office and to better express their individuality.

Following its opening, we were delighted the office was re-accredited as an Investor in Young People at Gold level, having originally been one of the first five firms in Scotland to reach this standard. We also received a Leesman + award for exceptional performance in workplace design, delivery, management and operational effectiveness.

How has the community benefited from Morgan Stanley investing in Glasgow?
Morgan Stanley’s core value of Giving Back is one that we fully embrace.  As we opened our new office last year, we launched Healthy Glasgow with St Stephen’s Primary School in Sighthill. As part of a global programme by the firm, the Healthy Cities initiative is designed to help deliver essential services to children giving them a better chance to grow, learn and excel. 

Working in partnership with PEEK, Magic Breakfast and the local community, Healthy Glasgow aims to deliver 9600 meals and 8800 hours of play to children most in need of support. 
In addition to this, every two years our Glasgow employees vote for a new charity partner. Having just finished a successful partnership with Marie Curie, employees voted for the Scottish Association of Mental Health as their new charity partner.

Furthermore, our STEM ambassadors regularly deliver educational sessions in local primary and secondary schools, these come in the form of code clubs to hosting science and digital days. We have a Young Professionals Network which has driven our school partnerships supporting classroom learning, hosting industry awareness events and providing work experience opportunities.

Volunteering is also something that our employees enjoy and we regularly work with over 60 local charities. Personally, I have enjoyed working with our partner River Kids providing pro-bono support to local charities.  

Across the office we have created a number of programmes for managers at all levels to ensure we have the platform to provide pro-bono support to charities through our partnership with Pilotlight, a charity that connects business executives with charitable organisations. 

With a focus on increasing the number of women in senior roles in Financial Services, what advice do you have for the next generation of women entering the sector?
Morgan Stanley is very committed to developing women to be successful. We were proud to sign the UK Women in Finance Charter, the first US investment bank to do so.
Financial Services, as an industry, is a vast and varied sector with numerous career paths. 

I regularly have the opportunity to meet with school pupils and university students and it is important that they understand the career paths and opportunities that exist here in Scotland, as well as globally. I would always encourage those looking to enter the industry to attend employer and industry events to learn more and help to make informed decisions. 

For those already in the industry, my advice is to keep making connections and growing your network -- it’s important for your career journey.  I am always delighted to see our employees gaining great support through our diversity networks such as the Women’s Business Alliance and its external partnership with Women in Banking and Finance. More recently, we have also developed our Women in Technology Network who have also built strong links with STEMetts among others.

It is important for anyone, not just women, to always ask for feedback and be open to new ideas and new opportunities. Seek opportunities for support from mentors, sponsors and coaches who can advise and guide you on your career journey.