WCIB Essay Competition 2025 Awards Evening Celebrates Youth Voice
- emmawallbank7
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
The WCIB Essay Competition 2025 Awards Evening brought inspiration, ambition, and exceptional writing talent to the Bank of China this week, as students, educators, WCIB members and banking professionals gathered to celebrate this year’s finalists.
Hosted by the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (WCIB) in partnership with The Brokerage, the competition continues to champion social mobility and open pathways into the world of banking and international finance for young people across London.
This year saw:
120 essay submissions
38 state schools across London taking part
50+ WCIB volunteers and judges supporting the competition
Leading the ceremony, Master Tim Skeet presented awards alongside long-standing WCIB leads - Jean Stevenson and Carole Seawert, recognising the exceptional talent and originality shown by students.
WCIB Essay Competition 2025: Winners Announced
🥇 1st Place – Greta Choksi, West London Free School🥈 2nd Place – Joseph, LAE Stratford🥉 3rd Place – Zaynab, Barking Abbey School🏅 4th Place – Prisha, LAE Stratford🏅 5th Place – Shamay, La Retraite School
Greta’s winning essay stood out for its clarity, depth of research, and bold argument about the role of education in unlocking long-term economic growth.
Insights From the Winning Essay: A Blueprint for Long-Term Economic Growth
Greta’s essay answered the question:
“What would your strategy for providing long-term economic growth be?”
Her argument centred on one powerful idea: education is the single most effective, resilient, and high-return investment a government can make.
Key points highlighted in her winning submission:
📌 Education delivers exceptional economic returns
For every £1 invested in higher education, £14 is returned to the UK economy (Universities UK).
A 0.5 grade uplift in GCSE English and Maths could add £34.3bn to the economy by 2030 (Department for Education).
📌 Tax cuts weaken long-term growth
Greta argues that while tax cuts may appear beneficial short-term, they often erode public investment — particularly in education — leading to skills shortages and reduced competitiveness.
📌 The UK is not using its young workforce effectively
655,000 young people (16–24) are unemployed.
Investment in local colleges, job-ready courses, and regional training could tap into this underused workforce.
📌 Teacher investment is crucial
30% of GCSE entries do not reach a pass.
Retaining high-quality teachers — especially in high-cost areas like London — is essential to maintaining standards.
📌 Digital and AI skills must be prioritised
Many schools still lack basic computer science resources. Greta argues that strengthening digital education is essential for future competitiveness.
📌 Entrepreneurial skills drive long-term growth
The UK lags behind other countries in the quality of its entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Embedding Business Hubs in schools could help students turn ideas into enterprises, boosting innovation and job creation.
📌 Mental health impacts national productivity
Mental ill health cost England £300bn in 2022 (Centre for Mental Health).
Early support in schools can secure better long-term workforce participation.
Greta’s essay captured not just strong analysis, but a clear vision for a more productive, more skilled, and more inclusive future economy.
Evidence of WCIB Funding to The Brokerage supporting early careers
Former Brokerage candidate Kofi said: "It was a fantastic event full of very bright young individuals. My thanks to the brokerage for always shining a positive light on the future generation"
Huge thanks to Kofi - a former candidate of The Brokerage career programme who attended the event and gave an inspiring speech about his journey into the professional world. As once a young person without the resources or connections around him - The Brokerage supported Kofi with the vital early-career skills of support, direction, peer support, and networking opportunities.
About the WCIB Essay Competition 2025
The WCIB Essay Competition, delivered in partnership with The Brokerage, is open to Year 12 and Year 13 students attending a state school or college in London. It offers students the opportunity to:
develop communication and research skills
connect with banking and finance professionals
win prizes up to £200
gain recognition at a City of London awards ceremony
Full details and entry information are available via the Talent Network Hub for Brokerage candidates.
A Funding Partnership Driving Social Mobility
For more than 10 years, The Brokerage and the WCIB have worked side by side to create opportunities for under-represented young people to access the financial and banking sectors. Together, we are helping talent from all backgrounds develop the confidence, networks and skills needed to thrive.
We extend our warmest thanks to the Worshipful Company of International Bankers for their commitment, generosity and belief in the potential of young Londoners.
Support The Brokerage
Funding from partners like the WCIB is vital to our work supporting working-class and under-represented young people into early careers.
Your support helps us deliver programmes like the WCIB Essay Competition and provide life-changing opportunities.
👉 Donate to The Brokerage https://www.thebrokerage.org.uk/donate
Help us continue opening doors — and futures.
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