Meet Rachel

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. 🌟

Wonderful to interview Elaine Chim from Apex Group who brings both Yin and Yang to financial services. Elaine was born and raised in Glasgow to Asian immigrants and after starting her career in London has spent the last decade in New York Yin and Yang is the symbol of harmony that reminds us that life is a balancing act and we are most fulfilled when we learn to embrace its dualities. Elaine talks about the need to embrace empathy and foster a balanced approach in leadership to ensure sustainable performance. She believes that by integrating empathy and pragmatism, we can create a financial ecosystem that is not only prosperous but also fair and inclusive. Join Elaine as she discusses how financial services can harness the power of perspectives, and an appreciation for different cultures in order to bring a sense of harmony and balance to the industry.

Flex and the City is back after the summer vacation and who better to interview than Martin Vogel the Global Strategy Officer of Waystone. 🎧 🎙️ 🌟 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗲'𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀. Plus, we'll be discussing his 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺, and how his military background has shaped his view on what it takes to lead. We'll also 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, his vision on the balance of regulation, and his perspective on the challenges and opportunities resulting from AI. 🤖 Join us for this exciting conversation and discover how this industry stalwart continues to break barriers and redefine the role of leadership in the financial sector. Don't forget to tune in, like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more inspiring conversations from leaders around the globe! 💫 🌍