Q&A: BNY Mellon's head of fund servicing in Ireland explains why there's no substitute for hard work

Rachel Turner, heads up BNY Mellon's fund servicing team in Ireland, and argues that while the virtues of a traditional accountant can't be undervalued, it takes more than that to make it up the career ladder in fund administration.

This is Rachel:

And, in the first of a series of interviews with senior figures in Ireland's financial sector, here's what she said:

How long have you been working in financial services?

My career started in 1992 as a raw graduate in a relatively new industry in Ireland - an exciting time!

Has your career path been conventional or capricious?

At the risk of sounding like a boring accountant, I would say conventional although my current role has very little to do with the old fashioned ledger or 'T' accounts.

What matters most: talent or hard work?

There is no substitute for hard work and, while an acumen for facts and figures has its advantage, a willingness to go that extra mile for your clients and colleagues will always yield results.

What would you always advise people to do before they step into an interview with you?

Preparation is key - know how you want to sell yourself and know the company. It is important to identify three key messages that distinguish you from the competition. This in fact can be applied to any opportunity. If am going to remember three things about you, what should they be?

What do you know now about working in fund administration that you wish you'd known 15 years ago?

As we grow in our careers the need for knowledge beyond your comfort zone becomes more apparent so with the benefit of hindsight. I would have been keener to ensure that I understood the broader context of my role and the inter-dependencies with other parts of the business.

You are only allowed to hire one person over the next six months. Can you describe their ideal profile?

Someone who demonstrates core knowledge of our business and industry coupled with very strong relationship skills. In an industry that is facing regulatory and other challenges it is important to engage internally and externally to find solutions focused on delivering an excellent client experience. Therefore, being adaptable, informed and interested are important characteristics.

In no more than three sentences, can say what your business area will look like in 2015?

At a time where markets are under severe pressure it is very difficult to see a clear picture from the crystal ball however, given the quality of the BNY Mellon team I am confident that we will still be offering a superior service to clients which demonstrates a thorough understanding of their business needs.

I want to work for you. What will persuade you to hire me?

Be passionate about client service, about doing what is right and want to be challenged in an ever changing environment.