PwC’s Alex Gordon, becomes the 2012 World Financial Modelling Champion in New York

Wellington-based Alex Gordon was one of 2,000 entries to the World Financial Modelling Championship. After three rounds, he was one of the world’s top-16 financial modelling minds to attend the New York live finals this past weekend. The competition was fierce and finalists came from all the corners of the globe – from New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Britain, Russia, Canada, Poland and Hungary.  

New Zealander Alex won the competition’s US$25,000 prize pot: he showed innovation, speed, data and risk understanding, and best practice modelling theory when testing by the championship’s three global judges.

PwC’s Chief Executive Officer Bruce Hassall says, “Alex has widened the door of his professional achievements and showed the way for New Zealanders by being named the 2012 Financial Modelling World Champion on Sunday (NYT). We are all proud of Alex and can’t wait for his return to congratulate him face-to-face. Middle Earth is making a strong impact on the world this December, it goes beyond cinema: it’s also in the accountancy space.” 

PwC Wellington Partner Richard Longman is Alex’s manager and mentor. He adds, “This is wonderful news, we are so thrilled for Alex. It’s a truly amazing effort. Alex has demonstrated a passion for modelling complex arrangements and solving challenging problems, and when other professionals go out of their way to strongly endorse a young professional, as they have frequently done with Alex, you know he has made a huge impact. Alex has topped the world and we look forward to celebrating his achievement with him when he gets back.”

Alex is naturally overwhelmed by his win: “Financial modelling is something I do every day and am passionate about it. I am very happy to have won, it’s a wonderful recognition.”