[ G C
GC: What are the kinds of things that make for a great day at
work?
SS: It has varied over the course of my career but overall having
great time at work has always been linked to a strong sense of
achievement in the role I have been performing.
Being strategically relevant and delivering customised, top
quality service to meet my clients’ needs makes for a good day.
We service a large number of clients that are very demanding, so
getting a good satisfaction score from them is a top priority.
Our business is people-oriented and intensive so having a hap-
py and motivated team is a key component of feeling good.
When I am not travelling, spending quality time in the evening
with the family rounds up a good day.
GC: What are your expectations for the industry going forward?
SS: Firstly, I am convinced organisations – both on the sell-side
and sell-side - will have to allocate their resources even more
strategically and focus their budgets and strategies on areas where
they add most value and can differentiate themselves. All of us
will have to try to find ways where we can distinguish ourselves
based on our strengths. Citi has done this by defining which core
businesses, clients and geographies it will be a player in.
The second trend is the consolidation in the industry at the
asset manager end, and how this will trickle into securities ser-
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vices providers. Consolidation and scale will enable remaining
players to operate more effectively.
Thirdly, the industry will have to become even more agile to
service new asset classes and product types. ETFs flows have
exploded, and the rise of socially responsible asset classes is
an increasingly important trend. Real assets and private equity
investments are becoming more widespread and the ability for
service providers to adapt is essential.
The biggest change which will come in the next five years is
how new technologies will shape the way the industry operates.
Most of us have changed the scale and scope of the businesses
we run – but the technologies we use have not moved at the
same pace. This will fundamentally change going forward. AI,
robotics and big data will fundamentally change the way we
operate. Citi have worked extensively on our big data strategy.
We have also focussed on innovating, using new technologies,
either to bring industry-leading or industry-disrupting solutions
to the market.
GC: And finally, what is your desert island disc?
SS: I do listen to a lot of diverse music, including a lot of Indian
artists. I would however choose any Dire Straits album - it takes
me back to my younger university days.
Winter 2018
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