Students open trading at London Stock Exchange

In celebration of Global Money Week (9 – 17 March), students from Tottenham UTC and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s Education and Football Development Centre at Barnet & Southgate College were invited to open trading at the London Stock Exchange.

Joined by a further two London schools, Mulberry School for Girls and Mount Carmel Girls School,  students took to the famous balcony to ‘ring the bell’ at 8am and declare the markets ‘open’.

Global Money Week is an international money awareness celebration which takes place in March each year. The initiative, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, is designed to engage children worldwide in learning how money works including saving, creating livelihoods, gaining employment and entrepreneurship.

In 2014, over three million young people across the world took part in Global Money Week, participating in activities organised by schools, universities, government ministries, central banks, financial institutions and members of the civil society.

After the opening ceremony, CEO of London Stock Exchange, Alexander Justham gave a welcome speech to guests followed by Founder of Global Money Week, Jeroo Billimoria, who talked to the students about the importance of money and how Global Money Week is supporting the next generation of business leaders.

Speaking about the experience, Tottenham UTC student, Phinny Addae, said: “Not many people my age can say that they’ve been given the opportunity to stand on the balcony and open trading at the London Stock Exchange, but now I can and it was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. Meeting some of the professionals who work here has certainly inspired me to focus on my studies so that I can build a successful career for myself.”

Grant Cornwell, CEO, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and Chair of Governors for Tottenham UTC, said: “I’d like to thank Global Money Week and the London Stock Exchange for inviting us to come along and join in with the celebrations – it was a real honour and all of the students have thoroughly enjoyed it. Inspirational moments like ‘ringing the bell’ at one of the most famous buildings in our city make a huge impact on the lives of young students, particularly as many of them will already  be thinking about what type of career path they want to take.”