Nurturing Next-Generation Talent Through Paid Industry Opportunities

LONDON, 3 August 2026 – Crown Jewels Consultants Ltd (CJC), the award-winning market data technology consultancy and service provider, is pleased to announce its participation in the Reading Internship Scheme (RIS), extending the reach of CJC Academy and creating new opportunities for university students to gain practical industry experience.

This summer, multiple undergraduate students will join CJC’s London office for paid internships of up to eight weeks, gaining hands-on industry experience, developing professional skills, and learning from experienced practitioners across the business.

Discover The CJC Academy

RIS extends the reach of CJC Academy by providing undergraduate students with practical industry experience alongside their studies. The interns will work alongside CJC teams on live projects, contribute to key deliverables, and gain first-hand insight into how a specialist consultancy supports global financial institutions. All RIS internship roles are paid at the National Living Wage, ensuring students are fairly compensated for their contribution while gaining meaningful professional experience.

RIS is the University of Reading’s dedicated programme that connects undergraduate students with employers through paid internships across a diverse range of industries. The scheme provides students with valuable practical experience while enabling organisations to benefit from motivated interns who can contribute to real business projects. Placements last a minimum of 140 hours and can be undertaken part-time during term time or full-time during university holidays.

Since launching in 2012, CJC Academy has been committed to helping individuals build successful careers by bridging the gap between education and industry. Originally focused on work experience and early career development, the Academy evolved in 2023 to support a wider range of participants, including students, career changers, people returning to work and ex-military personnel. This commitment to creating accessible career pathways was recognised by the A-Team Group in 2024, awarding CJC the “Most Innovative Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy” award.

By joining the Reading Internship Scheme, CJC continues its long-standing commitment to creating accessible career pathways and developing future talent. The partnership reflects CJC’s long-term commitment to developing future talent while promoting greater diversity and accessibility within the financial technology sector. Through meaningful workplace experience, mentoring, and exposure to real business challenges, the programme helps students develop the confidence, skills, and experience employers increasingly seek in graduate recruits.

Fiorella Illes, Project Manager – Internship at the University of Reading, said, “The Reading Internship Scheme is all about connecting talented University of Reading students with employers who are passionate about developing the next generation of professionals. It’s fantastic to work with organisations like CJC, who provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, contribute to real projects and build the confidence and skills they’ll carry into their future careers. These partnerships have a lasting impact on our students, and we’re incredibly grateful to employers who choose to support them.”

Paul Gow, CEO & Founder at CJC, commented: “The future of our industry depends on the talent we inspire today. That is why I am so proud of our partnership with the University of Reading and its Internship Scheme. At CJC, we have spent more than a decade investing in people through CJC Academy because we believe that providing opportunity, mentoring and practical experience is the best way to develop the next generation of technology professionals. Our interns are not here to observe from the sidelines; they become part of our team, working on real projects that make a genuine contribution to our business and our clients. We are excited to deepen our relationship with the University of Reading and continue opening doors for ambitious students who want to build rewarding careers in IT, market data and financial technology.”

Key Facts

• Company: Crown Jewels Consultants Ltd (CJC).
• Partner: University of Reading Internship Scheme.
• Programme: CJC Academy.
• Purpose: Developing future talent for the financial technology and capital markets industries.
• Placements: Minimum 140-hour paid internships.
• Experience: Hands-on projects, mentoring and workplace learning.

About Crown Jewel Consultants (CJC)

Crown Jewels Consultants Ltd (CJC) is a leading market data technology consultancy and service provider to the global financial markets. The firm delivers award-winning consultancy, managed services, cloud solutions, observability, and professional commercial management for mission-critical market data systems. As a vendor-agnostic and ISO 27001-certified organisation, CJC helps clients run secure, resilient, and efficient market data infrastructure so they can focus on their core business.

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Contact CJC for more information:

The Communications Team

Tel: +44 (0) 203 328 7600 | Email: marketing@cjcit.com