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Quick fixers with lasting value, by Alison Maitland
The Financial Times, July 31, 2007
Alison Maitland examines the nature of working at executive level in interim
roles. The ability to analyze a situation quickly and come up with a game
plan in the first week are key. In addition, dealing with nervous and unresponsive
colleagues is a key challenge. Value must be demonstrated through quick
successes, which means taking some risks. Managing your exit is also essential,
and can start almost as soon as the interim manager arrives. Sapphire Partners
candidate Sophie Castell explains, “It’s about transferring
knowledge and skills. I see part of my job as making myself ultimately redundant.”
FT ‘An economic imperative for banks’ by Joanna Chung
The Financial Times, May 19, 2007
Joanna Chung looks at why banks are now holding special events for women returners in response to growing competition in the fast-expanding and rarefied corners of finance, such as credit derivatives and structured finance. She quotes Bill Winters, co-head of JPMorgan’s investment bank as saying, “We reasoned that if we are going to continue to be successful as a firm, we need to reach further and deeper to find talent … and sometimes go beyond the traditional hiring patterns.” Sapphire Partners candidate Betsy Abdallah is quoted as saying, “Bringing women back is good for diversity at banks but have no doubt that first and foremost, it makes commercial sense.”
FT Magazine ‘When push comes to shove’ by Alison Maitland
The Financial Times, 15 October 2005
This article takes a detailed look at the possibilities for working flexibly given the “macho, long hours culture of investment banking”. There is a “hidden brain drain” taking place that Sapphire Partners co-founder Kate Grussing has decided to capitalise on. With an enviable background in Financial Services including being COO of J.P. Morgan’s European equity business, Grussing decided to step off the corporate ladder and start up her own business. She found her inspiration for the new venture at the gates of her children’s school. “…she got to talking to the other mothers. Among them she found tax lawyers, bankers and accountants, all of whom had given up their jobs.”