Meet Sara Naqvi from our Analyst Programme 2025

How did you get into this line of work?

My journey to Social Finance was a tangled one. Back in Canada, I dabbled in marketing before realising it wasn’t for me, so I started working in education as an early years practitioner. My curiosity around the practices that dictated the system I was working in then led me to pursue a Masters in Education Policy here in the UK. This led me to Social Finance, where that curiosity for system change prevails!

How did you hear about Social Finance?

A friend forwarded me the posting, with the thought that it would be a great fit for my career aspirations. She was right.

What persuaded you to apply for The Analyst Programme (TAP)?

The Analyst Programme awards its participants with so much room for growth and learning. I appreciated that the programme embraces people who may be alien to the world of social impact, and cultivates an immersive experience across diverse issue areas.

How did you find the application process?

I thoroughly enjoyed the application process! It’s clear that the focus here is on who you are as a person, and where your passions lie, and the unique experiences you can bring to the company. While recruitment can always be daunting, the staff at Social Finance did a great job at ensuring that I was supported. The process primarily focuses on how you think, so there’s no need to worry about providing the ​‘correct answer’. 

What were your first few weeks like?

During my first few weeks, we had numerous training sessions to get to grip with all things Social Finance and the diverse range of work that it has to offer. We were then able to apply our training through two case studies, which mirrored work that had been done in the past. This really gave us a flavour of what working at Social Finance would be like. 

We were then onboarded into project work, where managers did a great job at making sure that I was able to develop in my desired areas of work and that I could really take ownership of our outputs.

What do you enjoy about working for Social Finance?

Social Finance is brimming with individuals who are both multitalented, and extremely passionate about their line of work! Every community we work in has dedicated Community of Impact sessions, so you can keep up with the dozens of live projects going on at a time.

Everyone is truly invested in my development, allowing me to indicate my interests and engage in ongoing work accordingly. All my managers have been incredibly understanding and supportive of my wellbeing as an employee. 

Social Finance is also truly dedicated to flexible working, permitting a wonderful work life balance. I appreciate the ability to decide between working from home or coming into our lovely London Bridge office on a day-to-day basis. 

What do you want to achieve at Social Finance – and beyond?

I hope to continue ensuring that user voices are embedded at every level of social change and policy implementation. Social Finance is deeply committed to human‑centred design and co‑design across all our work, an approach that I am proud to continue upholding. Ultimately, systems are only as effective and sustainable as the experiences of the people who use them, which makes user input invaluable to everything we do. I aim to carry forward this practice beyond my time at Social Finance, and I am proud to integrate them into my daily work.

And finally, what would you say to people thinking of applying to TAP?

I would say to shamelessly express your passions and goals. Everyone has something different to bring to the table, and capitalising on your unique skills will make you a strong candidate.