Who is Jim O'Neill?

bySarah Butcher

2 February 2011

2 minute read

Who is Jim O'Neill?

He's the internationally renowned Global Head of Economic Research head of asset management at Goldman Sachs.

That's precisely the job I want. What qualifications does Jim have?

He has both a degree and a PhD in economics.

I guess he went to Cambridge or Harvard?

No. Jim studied at Sheffield and Surrey.

I guess he went to Westminster and developed an early passion for the markets?

No. Jim went to Burnage Comprehensive and had an early passion for football. His father was a postman.

Like Alan Johnson?

No. Alan Johnson himself was a postman. Jim O'Neill was merely related to one.

I am inspired. Does this mean I will be able to get into Goldman Sachs with my management degree from Canterbury?

It is doubtful. Jim O'Neill joined Goldman Sachs in London back in 1995. At that time, revenues at Goldman Sachs International were considerably less than $1bn. John Thornton was building the London office and everything was a little more freestyle.

Freestyle?

The recruitment process was less regimented than it is now.

Tell me more about Jim. Did he join as a graduate trainee?

No. He joined as a partner after first working for Bank of America, Marine Midland Bank and Swiss Banking Corporation. At SBC he became co-head of global research.

I am inspired. Does this mean I will be able to get into Goldman Sachs with my management degree from Canterbury, a PhD from Liverpool, and a protracted stint at Rabobank?

Maybe. But you are advised to join an intermediary organisation after Rabobank. Think UBS. It's all about brand inflation.

Thank you, you are so kind.

It's nothing. Really.

AUTHORSarah Butcher

Global Editor

ms
mspgrandi
3 February 2011
all this b*l*cking about can i move into GS is superflue.
if u are a top performer you can move from any firm to any other firm. on a like for liek position.
if u r a rabo in IB (well tehy dont have much, but stil pretty influential in the Dutch Corporate finance Market) adn you made a sh*y load of money for Rabo you can join any ib, regardless of your past, degree and all that....
banks want moneys not degree...
on teh other hand, if you ever think that u ll move from a back position to a front position at another bank, without knowing anyone you are disillusioned....
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Sa
Sarah, Editor, eFinancialCaree
2 February 2011
@PPP and @Adam - Thank you for pointing this out. The text has been amended. We have allocated Jim his promotion.
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Ad
Adam
2 February 2011
He moved to Goldman Sachs Asset Management to become Chairman last year; he's not Global Head of Economic Research any longer.
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Be
BeenAround
2 February 2011
Loads of missing connections here.
A management degree from Canterbury won't get you in Rabobank.
A stint in Rabobank won't get you in UBS.
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PP
PPP
2 February 2011
1st ANSWER WRONG. he is not "the internationally renowned Global Head of Economic Research at Goldman Sachs. "
He is now "President GSAM"
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