Warwick Finance Societies (WFS) is the largest and most active society on the University of Warwick campus, dedicated to providing industry-leading opportunities to help its members secure top roles in the financial services sector. WFS organises flagship events such as the Sell-side and Buy-side conferences, the Females in Finance conference, and Fintech Week, featuring prominent industry speakers. These events give members valuable insights and a competitive edge in their career applications.
The society collaborates with leading financial institutions like Natwest, AmplifyMe, Jane Street, and SIG, offering its members unique opportunities to showcase their talents through startup competitions, trading simulations, and the Quant Championship. The members’ participation is key to the society’s success.
The Executive Team plays a central role in driving the society’s mission and ensuring members have access to the best resources, events, and networking opportunities.
Together, we work to maintain WFS’s reputation as the leading finance society in the UK, ensuring members thrive both personally and professionally.
WFS History
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2021
First-ever WFS Central Calendar created to log events and enhance clarity within exec body.
A record-breaking number of competitions aimed at enriching exec members: M&A Competition (2x submissions from last year), Quant Championship, VCPE Shark Tank. Fintech week launched, 2x Shard events.
300+ tickets sold for ball and 60+ people going on tour to Barcelona.
Pivoted sponsorship strategy towards Fintechs while building relationships with our core sponsors across banking, law and Quant Finance introduced last year. -
2020
WFS continued to thrive with 160+ online events, collaborating with 30+ societies, 60 mentee-mentor pairings created as part of the mentorship programme, 12 weeks of content from the new WFS Insights team, £2700+ raised for Mind as part of FITE2021, countless CV & Cover Letter clinics, our first M&A competition and much more.
WFS Insights replaced what used to be the WFS Review and the Quant Finance team was launched during March 2020 elections. -
2018
In 2018-2019, the Board led the society to attract a wider range of members by becoming more social through regular events that repeatedly sold out. Their aim to change the stigma around the society allowed for the success of weekly markets discussions, CV clinics, a Winning Women conference and regular office visits. WFS took 40 members to Berlin and continues its legacy as the Biggest society on campus.
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2017
In 2017-8, the Warwick FinTech Conference replaced the International Forum. The first conference was held in Level 39 in Canary Wharf in February 2018.
The 2017-18 Board restructured the society to create a more lean and efficient society. The “sub-societies” were rebranded as “teams” which included the following: Corporate Finance, Markets, FinTech, Venture Capital, Women in Finance, Commercial Law, Diversity, Marketing, Socials and External Relations. The publications were merged, digitised and renamed as The Review by WFS. -
2015
Warwick Investment Forum renamed itself to Warwick International Forum in the 2015/16 academic year.
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2014
Warwick Islamic Finance was launched in the 2014/15 academic year and was discontinued in 2016-7.
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2013
The 2013/14 academic year saw the launch of the first WFS international tour which took place in Prague and Amsterdam in Term 1 and 2. First ever WFS Spring Ball also took place, with the theme being ‘Seven Deadly Sins’.
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2011
The Warwick International Venture was launched in the 2011/12 academic year. Destination: Hong Kong. WFS organised an 11-day trip during summer 2012 for 25 of its members.
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2010
Warwick Investment Forum ran for the first time in 2010, as a continuation of the Warwick Investment Conference of 2009. Initial steps were also made towards setting up Warwick Women in Finance before the year end. By the end of its inaugural year, WFS had almost 1000 members.
First Warwick Investment Forum held in 2010. Coordinated by Marc Kinast and Nikesh Parmar, WIF 2010 sold-out Panorama and was a huge success. It has continued every year since.
In September 2010, Mo Albazaz alongside Viv Watts and Jon Jakobsen, launched Warwick Investment Club under the WFS umbrella. -
2009
WBF and WAIPES collaborated in 2009 to host the first Warwick Investment Conference coordinated by Caroline Ly (WBF) & Mo Albazaz (WAIPES). The event was free and packed out MS.02.
Nikesh Parmar, WBF President 2009/10, developed a strategy over the summer alongside Mo Albazaz, to join WAIPES and WBF together to form WFS. They quickly won support from WBS, put together the constitution, set up bank accounts and acquired sponsorship! -
2008
WAIPES (Warwick Alternative Investment and Private Equity Society) was formed in 2008 by Piotr Pleskot and was run by himself and Mo Albazaz. They had a small albeit active membership base and operated effectively despite having no sponsorship!
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2004
Warwick Stockbrokers renamed to Warwick Banking and Finance Society in 2004.
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2000
The story of Warwick Finance Societies begins in 2000, with the formation of Warwick Stockbrokers, which was later renamed Warwick Banking and Finance Society.
WFS Executives and Divisions
