From Finance Advice To Good Morning Britain Competitions

Watching a financial piece on the cost of living crisis isn’t exactly unusual on ITV’s breakfast show, Good Morning Britain, as it’s been a host topic for several years in the UK.

Spiralling inflation rates have put huge pressure on family finances, and as a result, the early morning news and current affairs programmes have turned to experts like Martin Lewis to help with ways to make life a little easier. The Money Saving Expert has even become a regular anchor on one of the UK’s biggest breakfast shows.

While he gives great advice on when to read your energy meters, how to know when to use your oven instead of the microwave to cook baked potatoes and countless other tips that incrementally improve the household finances, there’s one thing about presenting GMB that you wouldn’t expect to see on his own series, the Martin Lewis Money Show.

It feels a little odd when you see them segway from talking about people struggling to pay their bills into a promotion encouraging viewers to spend a couple of quid on a competition entry, with Andi Peters selling the dream of winning a six figure prize from the top of a Dubai sky scraper.

Admittedly, a couple of pounds probably isn’t the difference between boom and bust for many families, but the premium rate phone numbers are probably something that people either use repeatedly or don’t use at all. In other words, for those people buying into Andi’s dream, it’s unlikely to be a one off cost to them.

Of course, there are free ways to enter – there are even websites the highlight that not all entries cost you two pounds (or sometimes more). For example, on the web you can read how the Good Morning Britain competition can be entered by post without paying ITV a penny, so there are alternatives to the phone calls and online entries that are most prominently visible on the TV.

While the internet has a habit of calling everything a scam or a con, I don’t believe there’s anything overly suspicious or any foul play in the prize draws Mr Peter’s promotes, and I’m perfectly satisfied that the winners you see them wheel out time and time again genuinely have won prizes worth huge amounts of money.

What people who are struggling to pay the bills probably don’t see though, is the staggeringly long odds of being that next big winner, as there must be hundreds of thousands, if not millions of entries for each of these competitions, otherwise ITV would be losing money on each prize they give away, not to mention flying Mr Peters around the world – and I’ll bet he’s not slumming it in economy either.

Before I’m accused of being a kill joy by some eye rolling reader, I’m not saying that no-one should enter to try their luck at winning prizes, whether that’s on TV or anywhere else. Life should be fun, and if you get a smile from rolling the dice and seeing what happens every now and again, then more power to you.

My concern is more the message that comes across when a financial expert and almost-national-hero like Martin Lewis is trying to help us save a few pound on household bills, only for that small saving to be offset by the temptation to try to win a prize that comes with odds in the order of one in a million.

As the presenters usually say once a famous voice finished reading the terms and conditions for whatever prize draw happens to be running that day… “yes, good luck with that one”.

Applications For Corporate Finance Teaching Posts

About Us

WUT is a leading academic institution committed to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. Our Business School is at the forefront of research and teaching in finance, with a reputation for developing leaders and innovators in the field. We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly qualified Lecturer in Corporate Finance to join our team and contribute to our ambitious goals in teaching, research, and community engagement.

Role Overview

The Lecturer in Corporate Finance will be responsible for delivering high-quality, impactful teaching and contributing to the department’s research profile.

This position requires an individual who is passionate about corporate finance, with the ability to inspire and engage students from diverse backgrounds.

The role will involve curriculum development, research, student mentoring, and potentially service on department committees.

Candidates with expertise in any of the following areas are encouraged to apply: mergers and acquisitions, capital structure, valuation, corporate governance, or financial risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching and Curriculum Development

Research and Scholarship

Student Mentorship and Support

Community and Departmental Engagement

Essential Qualifications and Skills

Academic Qualifications

Ph.D. in Finance, Corporate Finance, or a related field (or equivalent industry experience with a Master’s in Finance).

Experience

Technical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Strong communication skills with the ability to engage and inspire students.
A commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment.
Desirable Qualifications

Professional Certification

A CFA, CPA, or equivalent financial designation is advantageous but not required.

Industry Experience

Relevant industry experience in corporate finance roles (e.g., financial analyst, investment banker, corporate strategist) is highly valued.

Benefits

Application Process

The application process will open shortly.

Interested candidates should submit the following documents by the deadline announced when applications open:

Cover Letter outlining your teaching and research interests, as well as your alignment with the department’s goals.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) including details of teaching experience, publications, and relevant professional accomplishments.
Teaching Portfolio or statement detailing your teaching philosophy and evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Research Statement summarizing your current research and future plans.
References: Contact information for at least three professional referees.
How to Apply
Please submit your application via email or the online application portal with the subject line “Lecturer in Corporate Finance Application – [Your Name].”

For more information about this position, please contact the recruitment team in the Human Resources department.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences.

If you are passionate about corporate finance and committed to teaching and research excellence, we invite you to join our team and make an impact in our academic community.