Mark - Assistant Vice-President, Corporate Finance
"We have a very educated workforce here, and when you as a company have that, retention is the key. I think having strong leadership and focusing on constant training and development makes it easier to retain our top performers. SimCorp is truly a company that encourages you to develop and aspire, and if you continuously challenge talented people, they are in the long run, the people that will drive the company forward."
Mark Walker - Assistant Vice-President, with SimCorp since August 2007
I work as assistant vice-president in the Financial department, where I function as a link between SimCorp head office and the market units in which we operate, providing quality information at the right time for the relevant internal customer, these mainly our Senior Management and Board of Directors.
I have two qualifications, both within finance and risk management, thus having the ability to apply more than one view to the job. I apply theory and principals in practice, but believe that my former work experiences in Australia and the UK are just as relevant and it is mainly this on-the-job experience I use here.
Did you find it difficult to start working in SimCorp?
Not at all! I had a very good feeling about the company in the recruitment process. SimCorp ticked a lot of the boxes in regards to my ideal work preferences, the company offering values and a philosophy that is very much aligned with my own. By being here from day one I could sense the structure with which the company was run. The finance team members made me feel welcome, and I found their openness valuable when moving from living in Australia to living in Denmark, as it was important for me to be able to settle into a stable and friendly environment.
Has the job lived up to your expectations and how?
Yes, without a doubt. I am a person that likes change, and I need challenge. In SimCorp the challenge is definitely there. My learning curve was and still is intense, but also rewarding. I also find my job varied, as I deal with Senior Managers from around the world, who are located in different roles in the organisation, which gives me a unique chance to see the business from different angles and to better understand SimCorp’s strategy.
The best thing about working with SimCorp is that I know that I can come to work and be challenged on a daily basis and inspire as well as be inspired. My colleagues often come to me with ideas and thoughts, which motivates me. I am proud to be associated with this company – the word prestige comes to mind.
When I first considered working with SimCorp, I was impressed with the length of tenure our Executive Management Team had been in office, and also impressed by their strong leadership and general stability - a stability that seems to saturate through the whole organisation.
I think SimCorp is in a strong position. I also think that strategically we have positioned ourselves in such a way that we at all times are ready to take advantage when the market is ready, so that puts us ahead, in my view.
What after-hours activities are there?
There are a lot of social events in SimCorp, not only for me, but also for the family. I was at a wine-tasting event recently, have been to the theatre a couple of times and have attended the children’s Christmas party with my family.
What do you think about
SimCorp as an international company?
I deal with people all over the world. I can be speaking to a colleague in Australia at seven in the morning, an hour later I can be speaking to another colleague in Germany and later in the afternoon to a colleague in the US. That is the “sexy” part of this job – interacting with people all over the world.
