At the Icma Centre, traditional scenes of lectures and seminars are complemented by a fundamentally more modern one. At first glance, it suggests a disruption: students standing and leaning towards each other over computer screens, calling out and waving their arms.

The simulated trading floor in action

But it is in fact a spirited participation in the capital markets through a simulation programme that allows students to apply finance theory to specific real world issues. This close collaboration between industry and academia characterises the foundation of the centre’s training courses – a first for Europe.