Paddleboarding intern praises Dorset property firm for ‘great culture’

An ambitious intern with career ambitions in property or finance has praised Poole-based MSP Capital for extending his summer work experience into a longer-term paid opportunity.

Harry Frost, 20, was originally only meant to spend four weeks at the property and finance specialists, but then agreed a four-month internship with hopes of a more permanent position becoming possible in the future.

Directors at the firm, one of the largest providers of property finance in the south of England, said the ‘internship structure’ around Frost’s experience has proved mutually beneficial. So much so, they are looking to progress it and attract more interns in years to come (pending capacity). 

Frost, an ex-sixth former at Queen Elizabeth’s school in Wimborne, first approached the firm after he had worked at a recruitment company and while studying business management at the Open University.

 “I had known about MSP Capital being a development finance company for a few years and was thrilled to get the chance to work with them,” he said.

“I wasn’t too sure what to expect and I was surprised at how big the company is. In my first few days, it was quite relaxed and there was lots of induction. I met the team and talked about what each department does. I spent time in operations, finance, underwriting, valuation and marketing, learning about the whole loan process.

He added: “They treated me as a member of the team right from the start and made me feel included and at home. Everyone is entrepreneurial, works hard and they gave me a range of ad hoc tasks and mini-projects to work on.

“While I was expected to be hands-on and manage my workload to some extent, I felt completely supported. Everyone was approachable and happy to take the time to work closely with me. I wasn’t micro-managed. It was a great balance between having the chance to work independently and be a team member.”

Frost said he enjoyed the wider culture and social life at MSP Capital, too, winning the firm’s monthly Wellbeing Champion award. The award, designed to promote health and fitness, was won by Frost for three reasons: his dedication in the in-house gym; playing with colleagues in a beach volleyball tournament in aid of charity; and cycling to work each morning.

In fact, on a ‘car free’ day, he even paddle boarded across Poole Bay and walked into the office from Poole Quay.

Frost is due to complete his internship in November before travelling around South East Asia.

“I’ve spoken to MSP about potentially coming back,” he said. “They have a great culture and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who made me feel so welcome. My advice to others is that I found this internship really enjoyable. Definitely take part in what’s going on as much as you can. That’s the best way to get something out of it and get experience under your belt.”

Becky Harris, MSP Capital’s finance director, said: “This internship was a great opportunity for Harry to get an understanding of all our departments and reflect on where he wants to focus his career. Both we and Harry have benefited from and enjoyed the internship. It is great to have someone so dedicated and focused on their career and personal progression.”

She added: “That’s the kind of energy and focus that MSP Capital loves. We now have a successful internship structure set up and we look forward to progressing this and bringing new interns into the business in the future.”

*If you have had a successful intern or apprentice and would like to let the industry know about it, please get in touch on press@propertyinvestortoday.co.uk