Tours and Talks WGS – Junior Trader

Junior Trader finance walking tours take learning beyond the classroom and into the streets where modern commerce, banking and financial markets developed. Designed for school groups, universities, MBA cohorts and international students, our tours combine financial history, economics, business, careers and storytelling to explain not simply what financial markets do, but why they developed in the way they did.

These are not traditional sightseeing tours. They are interactive, place-based lectures and networking opportunities that use the city as the classroom.

Tales from the City and Tales from the Boardroom are closed door exclusive events for university societies network groups to hear first hand some truths about life in finance. These are unscripted talks designed to gain a lively, truthful and open understanding of financial careers from both sides of the dealing screen. Very few people see finance from both the dealing screen and the boardroom. That makes this less a career story than a map of how the parts fit together.

City Lecture Tours

Junior Trader finance walking tours are designed for students, university groups, MBA cohorts, societies, and individuals visiting the city for the first time. Our tours take learning out of the classroom and debunk modern day financial services by understanding origins.

Delivered through a 90-120 minute guided finance walking tour in the City of London or Manchester, the storytelling experience introduces share trading, financial markets and the language of finance through visiting the places where modern financial services developed. This is equally relevant in London and Manchester.

Each tour is led by a former Investment Bank Director and plc CEO with more than 20 years’ experience educating teenagers and young adults. These are not traditional sightseeing tours or blue plaque guides. They are interactive, place based lectures that use the city itself to explain how financial markets really work.

Participants will gain an understanding of:

The origins of different financial markets
How markets evolved into modern regulation, digitisation, investment banking, and fund management
The role of infrastructure, technology, and information flow
How IT, AI, and changes to working practices may shape the future
The influence of major philanthropists and civic institutions

If you don’t know the difference between a pony and a monkey, a bullseye and half a bar, and the Romans’ influence in Rocket Science, join us on a tour spanning from Cotton to Capital.

Both the City of London and Manchester tours use historic and modern locations to connect classroom learning with real-world financial systems, helping students and visitors understand how cities, markets and opportunity intersect.

Groups are limited to 20/25 participants. Larger cohorts can be split across multiple tours or dates. For school groups, a minimum of one member of teaching staff is required for every 10 students, unless all participants are adults. Tours are tailored to the audience and can be delivered for UK Year 11 to 13 students, undergraduates, or MBA and international students looking for a quick, course-relevant introduction to their new home city.

Contact us to book your private tour, get your hands on the worlds largest cheque, stand on the StockEx floor and see the credit crunch explained on the steps of the Bank of England!

WGS Private Tour

6 Nov 2026 2pm

Reserve tickets

WGS Private Afternoon Tea

6 Nov 2026 4pm

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Cotton to Capital (open event)

21 Oct 2026 11am

Reserve tickets

What are the Junior Trader City Lecture Tours?

Junior Trader's City Lecture Tours are led by Marc Duschenes, a former equities trader with almost 30 years' experience in financial markets, founder of a listed fund management business, and careers educator who has taught more than 1,000 students since establishing Junior Trader in 2008.

Drawing on both professional experience and a passion for financial history, Marc brings business, finance and economic history to life by exploring the places where many of Britain's financial institutions, markets and industries were born.

Available in Manchester and London, each City Lecture Tour combines history, economics, geography, business and storytelling to explain how Britain's commercial past continues to influence today's financial markets. Along the way, participants discover the origins of trading, insurance, banking, stock exchanges, familiar financial phrases and the entrepreneurs who helped shape the modern economy.

Where do the City Lecture Tours take place?

We currently offer City Lecture Tours in Manchester and London, each providing a unique perspective on Britain's commercial and financial development.

The Manchester lecture tour follows the story From Cotton to Capital, exploring how the Industrial Revolution transformed the city into a global centre of commerce, innovation and finance.

The London lecture tour explores the origins of the City of London, including the Royal Exchange, the Bank of England, Lloyd's, historic trading markets and the institutions that helped shape the world's financial system.

Who are the City Lecture Tours suitable for?

Our City Lecture Tours are designed for:

Schools and sixth forms
Universities and student societies
Corporate graduate and apprenticeship programmes
International student groups
Businesses and professional organisations
Visitors with an interest in business, economics and history

No previous financial knowledge is required, making the tours accessible to beginners while still providing valuable insights for those considering careers in financial services.

How long do the City Lecture Tours last?

Most City Lecture Tours last between two and three hours, depending on the route and the interests of the group. Bespoke itineraries can also be developed for schools, universities and corporate clients.

What will participants learn?

Participants gain a practical understanding of topics including:

The origins of modern financial markets
The Industrial Revolution and global trade
Banking and insurance
Commercial awareness
Business history
Economic development
Investment and financial terminology
The stories behind many of today's financial institutions, buildings and familiar market phrases

Rather than simply presenting historical facts, each City Lecture Tour uses light-hearted anecdotes, fascinating stories and real-world examples to bring history to life. Participants discover the people behind the businesses, the origins of everyday financial expressions and the events that shaped modern commerce, making complex ideas engaging, memorable and accessible.

Throughout the tour, participants are encouraged to ask questions and explore how these historical events continue to influence today's business world and financial markets.

These are the kinds of examples, opinions and commercial insights that regularly arise in university, apprenticeship and graduate interviews, helping students stand out beyond their academic qualifications.

How do I book a City Lecture Tour?

We welcome enquiries from schools, universities, businesses and other organisations wishing to arrange a private City Lecture Tour. Individual tour dates are available to book on our website.

To discuss availability, pricing or bespoke requirements, please contact info@junior-trader.org.

Why does Junior Trader offer City Lecture Tours?

We believe that some of the best learning happens outside the classroom.

Our City Lecture Tours allow participants to stand where businesses were founded, markets developed and history was made. By combining expert commentary with the locations where events actually unfolded, we help students develop commercial awareness, understand the evolution of financial markets and connect classroom learning with the real world.