£100,000 Awarded To Novice City Trader

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To start a career with a windfall of £100,000 would be a fantastic achievement for any aspiring professional but it is even more remarkable when it happens to be in a discipline that acts as second fiddle to you main work ambitions.

John Walsh is a client services executive who is currently studying to become a Black Taxi Cab driver, and is therefore undergoing the demanding process generally known as learning 'The Knowledge'.

Most people know that the process of becoming a licensed cab driver in London is no simple affair and takes years of training; learning the quickest and cheapest routes around the vast road layout of Greater London.

It is also well known that only the most dedicated individuals succeed in the task – so it is should come as no surprise to find that many cabbies are equally accomplished in other disciplines.

In John's case, he has just received the accolade of winning City Index's The Trading Academy, claimed the £100,000 prize in the process.

The Trading Academy

The competition took place over six weeks and saw eight contestants who had little trading experience in the financial markets go head-to-head for the title. Competitors were judged on their notional profits and losses while their general development as traders were also taken into account.

The judges also acted as mentors to the contestants, helping them develop their skills. City Index Global Chief Strategist Ashraf Laidi was joined by Chief Technical Analyst James Chen throughout the duration of the competition and they were joined by the company’s chief executive Martin Belsham for the final.

Commenting on the competition, Martin Belsham explained that the show proved the universal accessibility of financial market trading; with people from all backgrounds able to develop the skills needed to achieve success spread betting or forex trading using City Index’s platforms.

Belsham, like his fellow judges and co-workers, expressed pride in the progress made by the contestants – highlighting their achievements as an indication of the way in which anyone can trade successfully within financial markets if given sufficient support and guidance.

The winner, John Walsh, expressed gratitude for the experience and explained that he was going to continue building his trading knowledge in the future. He emphasised the message of the competition, that anyone can achieve success in this market regardless of their prior experience, by urging others to follow in his footsteps.

Ashraf Laidi reflected similarly on the idea behind the competition:

“The message at the heart of Trading Academy is that if you are disciplined and committed to embracing the educational element, you can have a successful trading experience."

With such a strong message behind the show, it was not just John’s impressive ROI which won him the coveted title and £100,000 reward. According to Laidi, John’s determination to succeed and willingness to learn was what impressed judges the most and made him the standout winner.

Spread betting, CFDs and Forex trading are leveraged products which can result in losses greater than your initial deposit. Ensure you fully understand the risks.