Financial Services Insights from Paul Webster

Tell us a bit about your practice?

Our clients are as diverse as we are, ranging from global corporate and investment banks to fintechs, digital asset managers, investment and asset management firms, insurers, brokers, hedge funds, wealth managers, private equity firms and M&A boutiques. Over two-thirds of our Page Executive Partners have been working hand-in-hand with these clients for 15 years, during which time they have developed unparalleled market knowledge and an enviable track record of placements including CEOs, CFOs, Heads of Compliance, as well as various board-level appointments.

What’s something important in your practice for the rest of 2024?

AI will play a critical role in improving risk management, automating routine tasks, and enhancing decision-making processes. Sustainable finance will become a dominant force, with more companies integrating ESG criteria into their operations and investment strategies. Growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate form of payment will further disrupt traditional banking and payment systems. The majority of banking services will be available online or through mobile apps, reducing the need for physical branches. This shift will also pave the way for the rise of neobanks—digital-only banks that offer innovative, customer-centric services without the legacy infrastructure of traditional banks. 

How should companies adjust their recruitment strategies to hire more diverse talent?

Financial services companies should adjust their recruitment strategies by: setting diversity hiring goals, diversifying their sourcing channels, utilizing blind hiring practices, building diverse interview teams, promoting an inclusive company culture, and actively reaching out to underrepresented communities; all while implementing technology to reduce bias in the hiring process and tracking their progress with measurable metrics.

What are customer and other insights telling us about activity in your practice area?

TT24: Security is paramount – our US survey responses came primarily from tenured individuals in the FS space, with 78% of them feeling secure in their current role (highest % in US). With that level of security in a turbulent market, the drivers of moving roles were heavily tied to working arrangements: flexibility and “location of the office” were 2 of the highest talent attraction targets. Given the industry shifts in working dynamics, the workforce is looking for clarity for their employer on what the future of work will look like before making a decision.

TH Insights: The smaller FS clients represent a larger piece of our revenue YoY. In 2024, SME’s account for 25% more of our placements. The flexibility that smaller firms have to attract talent is paying off.  

What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to candidates looking to stand out during the recruitment process?

Researching your prospective company helps you answer questions about the company you're interviewing with. Review the organization's mission statement, history and target audience to give yourself more confidence to provide a clear and concise response. For example, if you're interviewing for a financial services position, discuss the clients the firm works with, the amount of growth they've experienced and where you pulled the sources from to show proof of the research you've conducted.

Can you share some of your greatest recruitment success or placements?

I was mandated by an overseas headquartered Family Office to hire a Managing Partner to launch a Private Equity firm in the US. Following undertaking a market map of over one hundred and forty suitable candidates, and were able to work with the client to narrow the field to their ideal candidate whom was hired on a $$$$ package.

Find out more about our Financial Services practice here, or reach out to me directly to discuss your needs.

 +1 (212) 771 6062

 paulwebster@pageexecutive.com