Non-Investment Bank gigs in Central London

[xux42]

Any tips on getting established with Financial Services Clients (other than Investment banks) in London? Very happy with current gig in Reading, and highly regarded by Client, but I'm sharing a flat in Putney for the next 2 years for personal reasons & it seems silly not to explore options while a 15 min commute from Waterloo.
Have oodles of Financial Services experience, mainly Life & Pensions, & a strong warchest so no financial pressure to put up with shabby treatment or tolerate Accidenture drones and their ilk.
Happy to put myself out, and frequently do, but I can't deal with immature or macho nonsense in the workplace & only interested in Clients with a strategic outlook.
Views, tips?
Ta.

[xux42]

Ok well I'm unsure of the etiquette here. Perhaps its not the done thing to ask this sort of thing?
I don't know the city having only worked in the decentralised IT departments of Composite Insurers & Retail Banks so if someone could at least confirm that the vast majority, or all, opportunities in the city are with Investment Banks it would be much appreciated.
thanks

[SueEllen]

You are asking a question along the lines of how long is a piece of string.

There are lots of companies in and around London including close to where you live. However whether they need your specific IT skills is a different matter.

You just have to look and network.....

[GlenW]

only interested in Clients with a strategic outlook.

What does this bollocks statement mean?

[Avalonia]

What does this bollocks statement mean?

He's been watching The Apprentice.

[xux42]

What does this bollocks statement mean?

Most of my work has been concerned with long term solutions in long term classes of business - Pensions, Life Insurance, Unit Linked Products, Mortgages.
Tried working with folk whose business outlook is very short term with attendant corner cutting culture and no appreciation of the steadying hand of experience.
Gigs where without warning you hear "all that stuff you've been carefully crafting for the last 8 weeks - forget it, you're doing this now", are not for me.

Good luck to freelancers who can work in these environments, I'm sure it can be very lucrative.

SueEllen: Thanks for the constructive reply. Will make some calls see where they lead.