BANKING: BUSINESS AREA
literally 24/7. Once a deal is underway, it is all
TAIWO OKWOR
hands to the deck with reams of information and
documentation to be gathered. Stamina is a must
Title: Manager, Infrastructure
have as are the usual list of strong interpersonal
and Investment Banking
skills, analytical and statistical aptitude and the
Current employer: WestLB
ability to work in a team. Richard Tombs,
Previous employers:
manager of corporate fi nance at Michael Page
GE Capital; John Laing
Financial Services, says, “If you look at the ideal
University: University of Exeter,
UK
candidate, it is probably someone with three to
Degrees: Bachelors in
four years of experience who has been trained at
Economics and Finance
an investment bank and started out as an analyst.
Professional qualifi cations:
Th ese are typically career bankers although you CFA Level II candidate; SII
will fi nd a smattering of other professions such as
Certifi cate in Investment
accounting and lawyers.”
Management
What attracted you to this career path?
CORE FUNCTIONS
I was particularly interested in infrastructure and project
According to recruiters, the core functions
fi nance because it involves investment and fi nancing
include advising companies on strategic
strategies in economic and social infrastructures, provides
wholesale takeovers, minority stakes, divestitures
essential services to society and fosters economic growth.
or mergers. Th ose interested in M&A will start
The intellectual rigour and international nature of the role
out as an analyst, conducting basic industry
is also very challenging and rewarding.
research and building the fi nancial models used
to price the companies concerned. Next step up
What are the major challenges you face in your position?
are associates, who check the analysts’ work while
Managing the changing dynamics in a transaction and
their boss is the vice presidents who report to the
understanding the different complexities from a credit,
directors. One of the highest levels in the group
legal and fi nancial standpoint. Also, critically
are the managing directors who act as the face of
understanding the fi nancial implications and responding to
the department and interact with clients. client needs accordingly. More important is to understand
M&A has always attracted the best and the the economic, regulatory and legal frameworks in different
brightest because of the rewards and the ability markets and sectors.
to move up the corporate ranks. However, it is
not an easy climb and candidates have to think Are there certain skills you would consider useful for
long and hard as to whether they want this type your job?
of all consuming job.
Cg
A fi nancial and technical ability, people skills, the ability to
be detail-oriented, negotiation skills with an understanding
of the overall business implications and a keen interest in
fi nancial markets and the global economy.
“At the moment there is no appetite
How do you think the role you’re in now will change
over time?
from the larger investment banks to The global economic crisis will bring increased regulation
and fundamental changes to the role of investment banks.
underwrite the big ticket deals. As a
Growth in appetite and competition will continue for
infrastructure as an asset class due to its predictability,
result, we are seeing some corporate
stable cash fl ows and low correlation to equities and fi xed
income. As countries upgrade and invest in key
fi nanciers moving down to the
infrastructures, diversifi cation will continue to provide
opportunities.
second tier banks which are more
Do you have advice for someone intending to pursue the
same career path?
profi table” Mark O’Reilly, Astbury Marsden
The most important thing is to be open to new
opportunities as they come and enjoy what you do.
WWW.CFAUK.ORG CAREERS GUIDE 2009 61
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