David Hamer

From RGS to Equity Research: David Hamer’s Journey

When David Hamer left Reigate Grammar School in 2021, he had a broad sense of the direction he wanted to take, but no fixed career path in mind. Five years on, he has graduated from the University of Oxford with a First in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE), gained experience across investment management, consulting and entrepreneurship, and is now working as an Equity Research Associate at BNY Investments Newton.

Yet, as David reflects on his journey, one of the strongest themes is not having everything planned from the outset. Instead, it has been about following his interests, exploring opportunities and learning from each experience along the way.

Learning beyond the syllabus

David has particularly fond memories of his time at RGS, including his Further Maths classes with Miss Hancock and Mr Marley.

“They were clearly very passionate about their subject, and I was always impressed by the way they kept us engaged,” he recalls.

Economics and Computer Science also had a lasting influence, helping David develop ways of thinking that he continues to draw on today – from understanding trade-offs and incentives to breaking complex problems down into manageable parts.

But for David, some of the most valuable preparation for university came from opportunities to learn beyond the formal curriculum. From Model United Nations to completing a Cyber EPQ in Sixth Form, RGS encouraged him to pursue learning for its own sake.

“RGS encouraged me to learn beyond the syllabus and for the sake of learning itself,” he says. He believes this helped prepare him for university environments where there are fewer defined boundaries and where “the scope is what you make of it.”

Exploring rather than following a fixed path

At Oxford, David studied PPE, graduating with a First. Since then, his career has taken him through a fascinating range of experiences.

He has explored investment management and management consulting, and also co-founded BioFragment, a biotech start-up originating from the University of Oxford.

Rather than seeing these experiences as unrelated diversions, David views each as an opportunity to get closer to the commercial problems he finds fascinating.

“I've always found businesses fascinating,” he explains. “Each experience has put me close to live commercial problems.”

For David, investing involves searching for opportunities that others may have misunderstood; consulting means tackling pressing business challenges as they arise; while entrepreneurship asks whether you can build something that does not yet exist but should.

That willingness to explore has been a defining feature of his journey. Looking back, David acknowledges that there have been “a few dead ends along the way”, but importantly, he says there are none that he regrets exploring.

A career in equity research

David is now an Equity Research Associate at BNY Investments Newton, where his role involves identifying companies that he believes are undervalued before the wider market recognises their potential.

It is a role that suits his curiosity and analytical approach.

“It's an incredibly dynamic role where you're constantly generating ideas, analysing businesses and learning new things,” he says. “No two days are the same.”

He also values working alongside people who are genuinely passionate about what they do.

His career so far has also demonstrated the value of experiences outside formal education and employment. While at RGS, David sold shoes and clothing online, an experience that taught him about commercial thinking. At Oxford, he organised a ball, learning how to lead a team under pressure.

More recently, his desire to give back has led him to become a governor at a local school in Islington.

“I love to explore, and the opportunities I've pursued have been hugely formative, both personally and professionally,” he says.

Don't wait for certainty

For David, one of the biggest challenges since leaving RGS has been knowing when to continue exploring and when to commit to a particular direction.

His answer is particularly relevant for students who feel pressure to have their futures mapped out from an early age.

“I've learnt that decisions should be made when the value of further analysis is outweighed by the value of taking action,” he explains. “It's rarely worth trying to figure everything out with complete certainty.”

His advice to current RGS students reflects that philosophy. While he believes there is a healthy level of pressure to think about the future, he also recognises that some things simply take time to work out.

His message is to be proactive about exploring what genuinely interests you.

“You may not have your future completely mapped out, but you can absolutely narrow down the possibilities.”

He also highlights adaptability as one of the most important qualities for young people entering the workplace. With the world changing rapidly, David believes it is wise to remain open rather than placing all your expectations on a single path.

Advice for the next generation of Reigatians

If David could give one piece of advice to his Sixth Form self as he prepared to leave RGS, it would be to be intentional about the people and environments he surrounded himself with.

“Spend time with people and in environments that push you towards where you want to go,” he says. “They won't replace hard work, but they can multiply its impact.”

It is advice that neatly captures David's journey since leaving RGS: stay curious, explore what interests you, take action when the time is right, and seek out people and environments that help you grow.

His career may not have followed a fixed path, but that has perhaps been the point. For David, the journey from RGS to Oxford and into equity research has been shaped not by having all the answers at the outset, but by being willing to explore the questions.