How has your association with FINSIA contributed to your development of your career?
I was in a people leadership role and saw opportunities to be able to work collaboratively with other banking and finance institutions with FINSIA. It’s helped where we needed to bounce ideas or find solutions for our people - and for the development of the industry, and for our clients. FINSIA has this collaborative platform where we can bring everyone from graduates to senior leaders together. It also gives me faith that we have an industry that's sustainable and helps gives purpose to what I do as a banker.
Tell us about your career to date.
I started in a graduate role in the South Australian government, then moved from Adelaide to Sydney with a group of young, ambitious professionals. Financial institutions were more prevalent in Sydney and that’s where we thought we would build our careers. The key role was Credit Suisse where I started as a junior in private equity and alternative investments. I had a great people leader, Simon Ford - he gave me a great opportunity to develop and go into private banking. I moved back to Adelaide with a young family and continued my career at the Westpac Group in commercial banking - as there wasn't a role similar to Credit Suisse private banking in Adelaide. Roles at Westpac and CBA followed, pivoting between looking after clients and running my own book to being in a people leadership role. I have come full circle working in wealth management (again) for the former UBS Private Wealth in Australia which is now called LGT Crestone (in my days in Sydney, Credit Suisse Private Banking and UBS Private Wealth were the biggest rivals).
We've read your title, but what would you tell people at a BBQ?
I manage a portfolio of wholesale clients and manage investments for a range of clients, from high net wealth individuals and families, to not-for-profit or for-purpose organisations and corporates.
What are the most pressing challenges of 2023?
Keeping an eye on actively managing clients’ portfolios is important in the past 12 – 18 months with the evolvement of the pandemic, the Russian-Ukraine war, and inflationary pressure. The key is to keep on top of the client's portfolios and having those conversations with clients during challenging market environments. The other challenges that I've seen in South Australia is seeing and hearing about some level of shrinking in our industry – in job categories to streamlining of job roles. That's where I think having to stay on top of being relevant and educated through the FINSIA platform helps. You have a support group in FINSIA in terms of networking, which makes a difference because you don't feel like you're only a number in an evolving banking and finance industry.
What sparked your interest in a career in financial services?
When I was working in government as a graduate, I thought I enjoyed it but it wasn't challenging enough in regards to being involved in the markets. I was born in Brunei and brought up in Southeast Asia and - having studied economics and international trade - I've always wanted to be involved in markets globally in some shape or form. I knew I loved dealing and helping people with numbers, especially in banking, finance or wealth management.
Best piece of career advice you ever received.
A Credit Suisse private equity Managing Director who flew in from New York helped me understand whether it was back office or front office that suited me more in terms of career pathway. He said both were equally important. Front office, if you're apt at meeting numbers and targets. There is an upside to it in regard to remuneration, but you need to be able to have the skills to be able to deal with people, talk to people, communicate with people and also know that you can actually run to numbers also. The back office is equally important as the engine room where everyone helps the front office be successful. They set up the accounts and do all the operations, the compliance. When he asked me which of those two important parts suits your personality more, I picked the front office option and never looked back.
Anything you'd have done differently in hindsight?
I would engage more and have continual mentorship or sponsorship relationships. I had great mentors in the Westpac group and that helped me run my business. When I was a bank manager, I had a female mentor that sat me down and taught me how to read the balance sheet of my branch, which is the first time someone went through it with me. It made so much sense because it gave me context and purpose. It gave me clarity to be able to run the business. Until this very day, sometimes I think even though I'm advanced (enough) in my career, sometimes you need to be able to share perspectives or bounce ideas or seek feedback with those that are more experienced or advanced in their career – one can always step up and/or do better. In return, I'm always very keen to bring someone into our industry via mentorship or being a sponsor.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
Running and cooking - it's either a physical or creative outlet. I started running about six years ago and have completed seven marathons and peppered a couple half marathons during the year for training – that is more a solo activity. Whereas cooking brings people and family together around the table which is good for the soul.
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