Case study: Paula Aamli

"I decided on the financial services industry because it was intellectually challenging and always changing."

"I worked in Geneva in the Upper Gulf team, Singapore in Investment Advisory, and then a roving role in Internal Audit."

"We have a huge range of skill sets in the private bank, and you could probably split them into two fundamentally different areas: technical and relational."

"I graduated with a BA (Hons) in History from Oxford University and spent some years working outside of the financial industry. I then looked into the graduate programme at HSBC for a career change.

"I decided on the financial services industry because it was intellectually challenging and always changing. Initially, I looked at some of the UK-based private banks, but it was only HSBC that offered the international aspect. I realised I had made the right choice when I turned up for training and there was such a range of nationalities there — and such a variety of international experience.

"The graduate programme trains you to be a generalist, and when you come off it, you then enter a niche area where you quickly gain expertise. I worked in Singapore in Investment Advisory, Geneva in the Upper Gulf team and then a roving role in Internal Audit where I covered the Hong Kong SAR, Miami, Luxembourg and London. HSBC is well known for having a strong training and development culture, and in October, I will be going to Brazil on a Group-wide development programme.

"Now, I am a relationship manager. I work in the UK lending bank with the UK-based high-net-worth clients — mostly entrepreneurs and self-made people. Most of the portfolio I manage is lending against property — typically quality homes in prime parts of London, and specifically helping my clients to buy these, redevelop them and move on.

"I am based in St James's Street. This is well-placed for our clients, many of whom have business around this part of London. Private banking is all about building a rapport and trust, and personal contact is the best way to do this.

"We have a huge range of skill sets in the private bank, and you could probably split them into two fundamentally different areas: technical and relational. But what everyone has in common is flexibility, good time management and the ability to manage conflicting priorities and build relationships throughout the whole business."