Can you give me an insight of your personal journey into the asset services industry, why did you decide this was the career for you?
I grew up in a small town in Romania called Huși with a population of around 20,000 people and always had big dreams and a certain interest in finance and technology. After finishing high school, I made what was probably the biggest decision of my life and moved to Denmark to pursue a double bachelor’s degree and a master’s in finance and strategy. This was driven by my desire to explore – not just the world itself (I love travelling), but also the ‘unknown’ world of global financial markets, with a desire to understand how financial systems work and how they can best be leveraged to create value.
This eventually led me to SimCorp, where I kicked off my career as a student assistant in the group strategy and transformation team in 2021. I then transitioned into a full-time position in the global revenue operations team, where I have been working for nearly three years now, and got a real feel of how dynamic and innovative the industry actually is.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
My time at SimCorp has been incredibly rewarding, thanks to the great support I have received along the way. What I love most about my job is how much it pushes me to grow and make a difference. One of the most meaningful moments was getting the opportunity to go to the US and live in New York.
It was a dream I had since I was a kid, and being there reminded me that dreams really do happen when you keep showing up. I also enjoy the dynamic mix of challenges, the truly global scope of the work, the collaboration, and the focus on continuous learning. The fast-paced environment means there are constant problem-solving opportunities, which keeps me engaged and always ready. SimCorp’s global footprint has opened my eyes to the differences and complexities across markets. All of this means I’m able to gain new skills, perspectives, and insights with each project, and ensures that I not only contribute to the company’s success but also grow professionally and personally, which is something SimCorp as a company really values.
Being fairly new to the industry, how do you find your experience compares to those who are more established? Are there pros and cons to each?
As a young professional in the industry, I bring a fresh perspective, along with innovative ideas and approaches to problems. This, combined with adaptability, curiosity, and tech-savviness, have helped me to learn fairly quickly and spot opportunities for improvement. However, I am also aware that this industry benefits from extensive knowledge and insights from more experienced people who can easily navigate and anticipate challenges. Through cross-team collaboration at SimCorp, I relish the opportunity to learn from these individuals. I have first-handedly seen how the combination of these two approaches creates strong synergies and ultimately helps the company achieve its goals.
Have you noticed any misconceptions about the asset servicing industry? Is there anything in the industry you would like to see evolve or change?
Many organisations still seem to believe that asset performance can be quickly improved with several short-term fixes. However, achieving a lasting change requires effectively addressing broader systemic issues and focusing on long-term solutions. I have observed how several organisations were falling into this trap of quick-fixes that only compounded and increased their operational risks and inefficiencies over time.
When it comes to changes, I believe the industry, although adopting technology, can still see more benefits from a greater integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and potentially machine learning (ML) in order to increase operational efficiency. Whether we’re looking at improving data accuracy or analytics, streamlining risk management processes or portfolio optimisation, these technologies can help organisations reach new levels of productivity and position themselves for long-term success.
What is the training process of a new employee? Do you think it was beneficial to your role and others who may now be in the same position you were?
Depending on your role, SimCorp offers several training programmes and so-called academies you can follow so that you are set up for success. These include dedicated courses, meetings with key stakeholders, and broader workshops to facilitate integration. This is on top of the immediate support and training received from your team and direct manager.
I believe this combination was highly beneficial for me as a new employee to become more productive and confident in my role.
In terms of your career, where do you see yourself in a decade?
There is still much learning ahead, but in ten years I see myself in a leadership position and possibly managing a team of leaders or heading a department (like I said, big dreams!).
I aim to leverage all the skills I have gained along the way to drive meaningful change while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, that is always ready to meet clients’ needs.
What advice would you give to young graduates when entering the financial services field?
There is no secret formula, but there is something that I’ve always tried to apply myself: be curious, adaptable, and proactive. Our world, more so now than ever, is constantly changing and evolving.
Staying updated, facing, and even seeking new challenges and taking on additional responsibilities will help you achieve success in any finance role you can think of.
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