Flex and the City - Great leadership in financial services

I'm thrilled to share our latest episode of Flex and the City, where I had the privilege of speaking with David Sarfas, The Managing Director at CSC. 🎙️ ✨ 

In this episode, David Sarfas, Co-Head of Global Funds and UK Country Head at CSC, shares his thoughts on the future of financial services. 

He emphasises that if the industry wants to win gold, it must focus on increasing transparency, safety, and security—not just for its clients but for the public as a whole. 💼 🎯 

In this episode, David also opens up about:

🚀 Navigating a global career in financial services — The unique challenges and opportunities he encountered while working across major financial hubs. 

💙 Leadership with energy and authenticity — Why bringing your true self to work can fuel your success and inspire those around you. 

💡 Advice for young professionals — Valuable tips on breaking into the industry and making an impact, no matter where you start. 

📗 Must-read recommendations for CEOs — David shares the one book he believes every business leader should have on their shelf.Fl

Whether you're just starting out in the industry or you're a seasoned professional, David’s global insights and leadership experience offer invaluable lessons on navigating today’s dynamic financial landscape. 

Dave Micallef dives into an engaging conversation with Aric Faber, the dynamic President and CEO of SalesPage, on the latest episode of Flex and the City.

From starting with Aric Faber's background, leadership philosophy, and experiences in business. 

To emphasising the importance of authentic leadership, influenced by his early experiences in sports and mentorship. He values teamwork and building a strong, motivated team that aligns with personal and professional goals. 

He also highlights the need for the financial services industry to better communicate its positive impact on society and suggests that companies should offer flexible roles to attract diverse talent.

From Athlete to Advisor: Aric talks about giving back to nurture talent and foster success.

Had an amazing interview with Emanuele Vignoli, the CEO of HSBC in Luxembourg on Flex and the City, and it did not disappoint! 🎙️✨

Emanuele dives deep into “Gender Finance” and his passion for boosting diversity in financial services. He stresses the importance of authentic leadership, continuous development, and staying curious in our ever-changing world. 🌍

Emanuele also champions the development of new leaders, emphasising personal growth and patience as keys to success. Hear his insights on what it means to be a “post-pandemic leader” today. 🚀

Family and Self care were his words of wisdom highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between professional aspirations and personal well-being. 🏡💖

🎙️ Today on Flex and the City, we took a virtual trip to Bella Italia with Francesca Prym! As the CEO of UBS Fund Management in Luxembourg and Head of UBS Mancos Europe, Francesca brought one important thing—ENERGY.

You’ll walk away from this episode feeling inspired, energised, and reassured by her incredible insights and passion for the industry. 🌟

Francesca's vision for the future of fund management in Europe is innovative and deeply committed to excellence and sustainability. 🌍✨ Tune in to hear about the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing market and her personal journey to leadership.

Don't miss out on this captivating conversation. Get ready to feel uplifted and ready to tackle new challenges! 💪

In this special edition of Flex and The City, Dave Micallef engages in an eye-opening conversation with none other than Kirsty Watson, the powerhouse Chief Operating Officer of  Advisors at abrdn. 

Kirsty takes us on a journey from her roots in Dunfermline, Scotland, to her unexpected path into the world of financial services. 

Drawing inspiration from leaders like Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, and Sheryl Sandberg, Kirsty shares her valuable insights on leadership, emphasising the importance of humility, bravery, and human connection. 

As the conversation unfolds, Kirsty highlights the importance of diversity of perspectives and the transformative role of financial services in empowering individuals to make informed choices. 

Tune in to discover Kirsty's pearls of wisdom on the importance of hard work, seizing opportunities, and embracing challenges. Plus, gain valuable insights into the vibrant culture at Aberdeen Advisors and their customer-centric approach.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Bhagesh Malde, the Global Head of SS&C GlobeOp, for a great new Flex and the City conversation. From starting his life in Kenya and then beginning his working career in The City of London to his journey across multiple continents, Bhagesh's story is one of adaptability, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of diverse perspectives.

As an ethnic minority navigating the corporate world in the 90s, Bhagesh encountered unique challenges that fostered a deep appreciation for the richness that diversity brings to any team or organisation.

What struck me most about Bhagesh was his contrarian thinking and unbridled enthusiasm for breaking barriers and challenging conventional wisdom. He has an unwavering belief in the power of diverse teams and diversity of thought. He passionately advocates for creating environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, ultimately leading to more robust decision-making and innovation.

So, if you're looking for a podcast episode that's packed with insight, inspiration, a real human leader and a healthy dose of spice, look no further than my conversation with Bhagesh Malde. Trust me, you won't want to miss it! 🌟

I had an incredible conversation with Craig Blair, the Country Head of Franklin Templeton Luxembourg on Flex and The City.  Craig is authentic, humble and thoughtful in his approach to leadership.

He speaks from the heart and believes that everyone can be successful. We spoke about his childhood in Belfast, the impact of the "troubles" and the strength of his mother often alone raising 3 children as well as his passion for travel, music and rugby.

Craig is passionate about cultural and neurodiversity having experienced this at different stages in his life within his family and in the workplace in different locations around the globe.

His career spans from the automotive industry to financial services and his passion for the long-term sustainability of the industry is clear. 

Craig's insights and leadership style are truly inspiring and serve as a reminder that one's past experiences can positively influence their future endeavours. His commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, as well as his dedication to ensuring the longevity of his industry, is commendable. 

We're excited to see what Craig Blair will do next!

It was a pleasure to host Falk Fischer on Flex and the City, where we delved into his 6 C’s: Cuba, China, Culture, Connection, Change, and Camping. 

Falk and I discussed the continual nature of change, encouraging us to take control and steer it. He also stressed the importance of understanding various cultures, arguing that this comprehension is crucial for appreciating different viewpoints. 

He expressed his view that the main assets in Financial Services are human beings; and we talked about the importance of the power of connecting with clients and employees on a personal level, even in challenging times.

Falk believes that future leaders should pursue a good education, gain international experience, value perspectives, and welcome change. He also is passionate about the power and impact of honest dialogue.

Thank you, Falk, for sharing your great insights and experiences. You are truly an authentic human being who represents the power of perspective.

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲!

Had a fantastic time interviewing Enrique Sacau on Flex and the City! As the Group CEO of Kneip, Enrique shared his insightful thoughts on appreciating what we have and avoiding making things too complex in general and also in the fund industry. 

He also shed light on the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the ever-changing business and geopolitical landscape. 

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Enrique! We all need to stop the Drama would be my big takeaway from this great conversation. His humility was truly inspiring.

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲!

Had a fantastic time interviewing Benjamin Collette on #FlexandtheCity. 🎙️ ✨ 

We delved into how the financial industry can learn from the kitchen—just as the right mix of ingredients makes a great dish, diversity in financial services teams can lead to great success. 🥘 🚀 

He also shed light on the preconceived notions surrounding financial services being an exclusive club. His dedication to breaking down these barriers through financial education is inspiring.

Thank you, Benjamin, for sharing your wisdom and expertise. 🌟