Marie M
My career, which began 20 years ago at Indosuez Wealth Management, has been built based on a commitment to openness and a desire to advance. After starting out as a market expert and bond manager, I had the opportunity to develop other skills and to develop my career according to a path that I had chosen. I was hired in Monaco, but chose to move to Luxembourg almost five years ago to move out of my comfort zone and to reinforce my career path with new experiences and projects.
My current job in the Markets, Investment & Structuring department gives me a cross-cutting view of the bank since I work alongside market experts, sales teams and their clients, as well as project teams. As a woman and mother of two daughters, gender diversity is a subject that is inevitably close to my heart. I’m convinced that it is an asset for the company that needs to be fostered.
Although I observe that there is an increasing number of women in positions of responsibility, I feel there is still a long way to go. Having children and wanting to develop professionally is far from being incompatible!
How would you describe the position of “Head of Investment Services”?
My first role is to manage teams whose tasks and objectives are structured around two projects:
Customised investment solutions for our clients and prospects. This is an activity that involves understanding and responding to requests, even unspecified ones, all the while remaining in the technical universe of financial products and services.
The MIS (Markets, Investment and Structuring) business management activity, which is responsible for supporting the development of the department’s activity in terms of controls, risk management and projects for the entire Indosuez Europe scope.
This is a cross-functional position within the bank, which requires a willingness to take up challenges.
What are the peak periods of your job during the year?
I can’t really say that there are peak periods. We are not in control of requests, client meetings or changes in regulations! Providing support to clients and the search for investment solutions are a constant concern. The banking world is constantly changing, as are regulations, and this means that projects are constantly coming up for discussion. This constant attention also requires a good work-life balance.
I think that there are choices to be made and an organisation to be found within the family unit. For example, my professional mobility from Monaco to Luxembourg was a decision taken jointly with my family. It is a change of life that must be accepted by all.
Can you describe your typical day?
My day starts very early. With two children and a spouse who also has a professional career, it is essential to have a good dose of organisation. But I like my daughters to grow up with the idea that a mother who works hard and has responsibilities is normal. My days are marked by meetings with clients, follow-up of long-term projects (such as the deployment of MiFID II) or more ad hoc projects. Then there are lots of meetings.
My team is constantly being solicited and we work on a rather tight schedule. In fact, every day is different and brings its share of novelties. But I think that it is this diversity and openness that makes the job so interesting. Nevertheless, whenever an afternoon ends more serenely, I take the opportunity to pick up my daughters from school.
What career path is required to reach your position and what are the possibilities for development?
I don’t think there is a standard career path. I have an atypical background myself. I graduated from a business school (Skema), with a market finance specialisation. I began my career as a “technician” and bolstered this status with the CFA diploma. Then, out of curiosity and a willingness to learn, and a desire to embrace change both in the markets and in the way our group operates, I became more of a Jill-of-all trades. This was necessary to give me an overall view of the business and take up managerial responsibilities.
With hindsight, I would say that a technical background is indispensable. On one hand, it enables you to understand and lends legitimacy to the function whether in the department or when providing support to clients. On the other hand, it is necessary when you have to set up controls or structure projects. Involvement and satisfaction in the development of customer relations are also essential. There are many career development possibilities: Product Marketing, front office or project management functions
What advice would you give to someone thinking of taking up a similar position?
A good dose of technical knowledge is necessary. Next, you need a willingness to learn, develop and create opportunities. The Investment Services offering did not exist a few years ago. I thought about it, believed in it and I came up with new ideas that were heard. This is not done in one day. I stepped out of my comfort zone, professionally as well as personally since I chose geographical mobility, with a change of country. What is sure is that if you don’t take any risks, you don’t make much progress. The change corresponded to my values and aspirations. I think, therefore, that there is no pre-established framework and that a career is built around opportunities, encounters and personal commitment.
How do you see the company’s progress in terms of diversity?
When I started my career I was surrounded by men. Since then, things have changed, as have mentalities. I’ve been working at Indosuez for 20 years and I have seen this change picking up speed. With my cross-disciplinary positioning I can tell you that the question of women’s career development arises both in the expert and managerial professions. There is no doubt that in order to climb the ladder, women must be persevering, daring and above all show their desire to progress. But fundamentally, I believe in “meritocracy”.