Flex and the City - Great leadership in financial services

Rachel Treece
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Flex and the City puts the human back at the heart of financial services. Rachel Treece, CEO of The Henka Institute, sits down with some of the industry's most remarkable leaders. Not to talk about markets or metrics, but about who they are, how they lead, and what they believe it will take to make financial services something worth being proud of again. Because the people shaping this industry have fascinating stories. They've navigated crises, made hard calls, got things wrong, and kept going. They've built teams, changed their minds, and found a leadership style that's entirely their own. And most of the time, none of that makes it into a conference panel or a press release. This is where those conversations finally happen. Honest, human, and long overdue.

  1. Jul 1

    Flex and The City - Mandy Rawlinson - Episode 83

    I really enjoyed my conversation with Mandy Rawlinson, Head of UK and EMEA for Aberdeen Investments and author of You Don't Belong Here, for the latest episode of Flex and the City. Mandy's career didn't follow the path she originally imagined. Growing up in the Scottish Borders as a first-generation corporate, she studied law with ambitions of joining the police before finding her way into financial services. More than twenty years later, she now leads across the UK and EMEA, but what stayed with me wasn't the career journey itself. It was the conversation we had about the future of leadership and the skills we'll need most in the years ahead. As AI becomes part of more of what we do, it's easy to focus on the technical capabilities people will need to develop. Mandy challenged that thinking. She believes the skills we've spent years referring to as "soft skills", including judgement, storytelling, critical thinking, empathy and the ability to solve problems, will become even more valuable because they are the skills technology can't replace. In fact, she doesn't think they should be called soft skills at all. I think she's right. One of the other ideas that really resonated with me was her perspective on innovation. Organisations often say they want people to think differently, yet many are still uncomfortable with failure. If people don't feel they have permission to experiment, it's difficult to create the conditions where innovation can genuinely happen. It's a conversation that goes well beyond financial services. We talked about confidence, leadership, curiosity, and what it means to prepare both ourselves and the next generation for a world of work that is changing rapidly. It certainly gave me plenty to think about, and I hope it does the same for you. 🎙️

    Flex and The City - Mandy Rawlinson - Episode 83

  2. May 27

    Flex and The City with Denis Harty - Episode 82

    In the latest episode of Flex and the City, I was delighted to sit down with Denis Harty, Country Head of Waystone Continental Europe and CEO of Waystone Management Company, and one part of the conversation stayed with me in particular. His perspective on teamwork. Denis moved from County Kerry to Luxembourg 25 years ago and entered financial services almost by accident while studying law. Since then, he has built a career across firms including JP Morgan and Credit Suisse, and now helps lead an organisation of more than 2000 people globally. But what stayed with me was not the career journey. It was the way he described rugby as a metaphor for leadership and business. Every person has a role to play. The ball moves through multiple hands. If one person does not do their job properly, the next person cannot do theirs. “You don’t win in isolation.” It is a simple idea, but it says a lot about leadership. Strong teams are not built around one standout individual. They are built on trust, interdependence, and recognising that different people bring different strengths. For those entering the industry, his advice was equally practical. Stay curious. Keep adapting. Build skills beyond your specialism. The future belongs to people who can connect different disciplines and think more broadly about where value is created. He also shared a reminder that I think many people need to hear at some point in their career: “This too shall pass.” A grounded conversation about leadership, resilience, and what strong teams really look like in practice. 🎙️

    Flex and The City with Denis Harty - Episode 82

  3. May 6

    Flex and The City with Olivier Portenseigne - Episode 81

    I really enjoyed my conversation with Olivier Portenseigne, CEO of FundsDLT and Head of Digital at Clearstream Fund Services, for the latest episode of Flex and the City. He started his career as a temp, keying manual trades in Luxembourg. Nearly three decades later, he is leading a blockchain-based infrastructure platform. But what stayed with me was not the career journey. It was how simply he described his purpose: “We want to make funds accessible everywhere, anywhere, by anybody. Cheaper.” That's not a fintech pitch. That's a belief system.  He also gave me the best leadership metaphor I've heard in a long time. The secret to success in finance? It's the same as the perfect boeuf bourguignon — harmony of ingredients. Different skill sets, different origins, different perspectives, all cooking together. Diversity isn't a nice-to-have. It's the recipe.  It is a simple idea, but it lands. Diversity is not something separate. It is part of how good work actually happens. For those entering the industry, his advice was equally clear. Build your network early. Develop a strong understanding of technology, even if you are not technical. And learn to communicate a vision in a way that others can connect to and believe in. A conversation that gives you something to think about. 🎙️ #FlexAndTheCity #Leadership #FinancialServices

    Flex and The City with Olivier Portenseigne - Episode 81

  4. 11/25/2025

    Flex and The City with Georges Bock - Episode 80

    Some leadership journeys do not start with a perfect plan. They start with a decision to jump. In this new episode of Flex and the City, I had the pleasure of speaking with Georges Bock, Founder and CEO of Investre S.A. and Moniflo. Georges spent decades in a senior leadership role at a Big Four firm. Successful. Respected. Comfortable. But he realised that comfort is not where transformation happens. So he took a leap without certainty, but with a strong sense of purpose. What followed was not just the creation of a company, but the beginning of a vision. To reimagine financial services as a more inclusive, transparent and human space. To help people not only grow their wealth, but also their freedom. To position money not as the problem, but as part of the solution. What stood out most in our conversation was Georges' honesty. He spoke openly about courage, failure and resilience. He reminded us that every meaningful career, whether entrepreneurial or corporate, includes setbacks and difficult decisions. The real difference lies in how you respond. You reflect, you learn, and then you stand up. Every time. In this episode, we explore: - Why entrepreneurship starts with courage, not certainty - How financial inclusion and sustainability belong together - Why failure is not the opposite of success, but part of the journey Georges' story is a powerful reminder that purpose and leadership are not titles. They are choices. They are acts of courage.

    Flex and The City with Georges Bock - Episode 80

  5. 11/12/2025

    Flex and The City with Albert Howard - Episode 79

    Some of the best leadership lessons come from the most unexpected places. In this new episode of Flex and the City, I had the pleasure of speaking with Albert Howard, Co-Founder and Director of Business Development at MiniBranch. Albert’s career path is anything but ordinary. From his early days in sales to his time in banking and now business development, every step of his journey has been guided by one simple idea — people come first. What struck me most in our conversation was his ability to draw leadership lessons from everywhere, even from selling mattresses. Albert shared how listening, curiosity, and genuine care are the foundations of trust, whether you’re serving customers or leading teams. We also talked about how credit unions are redefining connection and community in financial services, and how adaptability, honesty, and empathy continue to shape meaningful leadership. In this episode, we explore: ➡️ What the financial world can learn from the mattress industry ➡️ How curiosity and empathy build loyalty that lasts ➡️ Why trust is still the ultimate competitive advantage ➡️ The human side of leadership, business, and growth Albert’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about titles or hierarchy. It’s about presence, curiosity, and the courage to keep learning.

    Flex and The City with Albert Howard - Episode 79

  6. 10/15/2025

    Flex and The City with Philip Brown - Episode 78

    I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Philip Brown, CEO of Clearstream Banking S.A., and I have to say, this conversation really stayed with me. From his early days in banking during London’s Big Bang to leading one of Luxembourg’s most established institutions, Phil’s story is one of curiosity, courage, and connection. What struck me most was his deep belief in people, in trust, long-term relationships, and the human side of finance. He reminded me that leadership isn’t about control but about creating space for others to grow and thrive. In this new episode of Flex and the City, we explore how purpose, curiosity, and connection continue to shape leadership in an increasingly complex industry. In this episode: ➡️ Why trust, relationships, and integrity still define success in the post-trade world ➡️ The marginal gains mindset and how lessons from cycling and cooking can transform efficiency and leadership ➡️ Why young professionals should embrace curiosity, problem-solving, and flexibility over perfect planning ➡️ How the financial industry can reshape its narrative by highlighting its real human impact For anyone passionate about leadership, trust, and purpose in financial services, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧

    Flex and The City with Philip Brown - Episode 78

  7. 06/25/2025

    Flex and The City with Stephanie Eckermann - Episode 77

    I had the immense pleasure of interviewing Dr. Stephanie Eckermann, Executive Board Member of Deutsche Börse AG and Chairwoman of Clearstream entities, for Flex and the City. We talked about career paths, female leadership, attracting young talent to finance, AND the surprising link between running a global post-trade business and hosting a great BBQ. From AI to agency, data to diversity—this episode is packed with insights for leaders at every level. - The REAL skills modern finance leaders need - Why curiosity at the top isn’t optional - Attracting the next gen to finance - AI, agency, and authenticity Stephanie is a powerhouse in European finance—and also a mother of three, a diversity champion, and someone who leads with heart and clarity in a complex world. It’s bold, brilliant, and absolutely worth a listen.

    Flex and The City with Stephanie Eckermann - Episode 77

  8. 06/03/2025

    Flex and The City with Stephane Pesch - Episode 76

    In this new episode of Flex and the City, I sit down with Stéphane Pesch, CEO of the Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (LPEA). He’s not just navigating Luxembourg’s private capital space — he’s shaping it. And he’s doing it with values, vision, and a deep belief in people. 💥 In this episode: ➡️ From liquid funds to private equity — Stéphane’s personal pivot ➡️ Why curiosity, adaptability and self-belief are non-negotiables for future leaders ➡️ How Luxembourg is building an ecosystem rooted in purpose, education, and innovation ➡️ The books and moments that shaped his leadership philosophy This one’s thoughtful, grounded — and just disruptive enough. 🎙️ Tune in now — and hear leadership through a very different lens.

    Flex and The City with Stephane Pesch - Episode 76
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About

Flex and the City puts the human back at the heart of financial services. Rachel Treece, CEO of The Henka Institute, sits down with some of the industry's most remarkable leaders. Not to talk about markets or metrics, but about who they are, how they lead, and what they believe it will take to make financial services something worth being proud of again. Because the people shaping this industry have fascinating stories. They've navigated crises, made hard calls, got things wrong, and kept going. They've built teams, changed their minds, and found a leadership style that's entirely their own. And most of the time, none of that makes it into a conference panel or a press release. This is where those conversations finally happen. Honest, human, and long overdue.

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