David Smith

David joined Penguin in 2014, initially on work experience whilst he completed his BSc Finance & Investment Degree at the University of South Wales. Following an impressive 6 weeks on work experience, he was offered a part-time role at Penguin, which he balanced alongside his studies. Upon successfully completing his Degree, David joined the Penguin Team on a full-time basis in 2017 as a member of our Technical Team and has since become our Ethical Investment Specialist.

The studying has not stopped and since joining Penguin and he has been working hard to acquire his professional exams to become a qualified Financial Adviser which he is extremely close to achieving.

Outside of Penguin, David has recently been elected to become the next President of Novus. Novus is the Insurance Institute of Cardiff’s young professionals’ group and specifically looks after the needs and interests of newer members working in Finance & Insurance.

His biggest passions away from work are football & music, in particular, Newcastle United & the Arctic Monkeys. So much so, he was recently able to convince his girlfriend to name their new puppy Helders – after the Arctic Monkeys drummer!

Quickfire:

1. What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?

Not sure if it’s ‘crazy’ but it’s something I can’t imagine many people have done… A few years ago, I ended up in A&E requiring stitches to my eyebrow after losing my balance and hitting my head on the edge of a table… What was I doing at the time? Attempting to take off my socks!!

2. What’s the best thing you’ve spent money on? 

My girlfriend says I must say my dog Helders on this one…

3. The worst?

A colander off Amazon. I expected it to be a regular size… it held about 5 peas…

4. What’s your favourite book? 

I have recently finished reading ‘The Uninhabitable Earth’ by David Wallace-Wells which I simply could not put down. Fascinating (also scary) take on where we stand with Global Warming – it’s a must-read!

5. If you’re not working, where will we find you? 

Exploring the Welsh Countryside with my little family… unless it’s raining, in which case, we will probably be binging a Netflix series!