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    Samir Gadio
    
            
      

                                    
      
                        
      
                            
      Samir Gadio
      
                            
      
                                
                                
                                
                                    
      
                                        
                                        Position
                                        Financial Economist
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        University
                                        Fordham University
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        Degree
                                        PhD Economics
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        Nationality
                                        Ivorian and Russian
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        Joined
                                        August 2007
                                    
      
                                      
                            
      
                        
      
                        
      Renaissance is undertaking a significant push into Sub-Saharan Africa and aims to contribute to the continent’s rapid economic expansion. I was attracted by this energetic environment and the belief that nothing is impossible – even if this sometimes means swimming against the tide. Having focused on frontier markets during most of my academic programme, Renaissance was the most obvious organisation to join.

      I’m a financial economist and my working day starts at 7.30am or earlier with a morning meeting involving analysts from the London, Lagos, Nairobi and Harare offices. We discuss the most recent developments on the continent and topics can vary from the latest inflation report released in Nigeria to the specifics of an equity deal on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

      Later, I’ll screen the news and identify selected topics of interest for the Africa Morning Monitor (AMM), our daily publication covering Sub-Saharan Africa. I’m also working on thematic or country reports which other business divisions use to make investment decisions and develop our franchise. I’ll usually talk with internal and external clients daily, updating them on economic and political events through conference calls or meetings. Being an economist covering such a cosmopolitan and vibrant region as Africa is often an event-driven task, and every day is different with a unique set of events to investigate.

      My role requires a combination of macroeconomic and quantitative skills, as well as a broad knowledge of the political environment in core countries. You also need to be time sensitive as every day brings new complex situations that have to be assessed rapidly. Being multilingual is also useful.

      Working at Renaissance gives me the opportunity to get exposure to the dynamics of complex and exciting emerging markets, notably Sub-Saharan African countries which have been off the radar of international investors for several decades.

      Renaissance has attracted the best talent and has one of the world’s best emerging market research teams. There is always someone to guide and advise you, but the nature of the business means that you’ll learn new things every day. The group also organises specific courses in financial modelling, derivatives and many other diverse areas.

      The atmosphere is competitive in the sense that we need to maintain our lead in the industry. Our clients are used to high quality research products and we have to work hard not to disappoint them. It’s also a very supportive atmosphere as analysts tend to collaborate and share information regularly.

      As a truly international bank, one of the best things about working here is that you can travel extensively, visiting different continents and countries, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Since I joined, I’ve been to Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, the UK, Nigeria, and Ghana, and many more trips are coming! Probably the most unusual situation I’ve been in is having to speak three different languages in less than three minutes.

      When I’m not working I spend my time at the gym, always keeping an eye on the TV to catch any breaking news. And of course London, Moscow and Lagos are exciting cities where there is always something to do on a Saturday night!
      
                    
      
                
                            
    
        
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    Ladell Robbins
    
            
      

                                    
      
                        
      
                            
      Ladell Robbins
      
                            
      
                                
                                
                                
                                    
      
                                        
                                        Position
                                        Director, Head of Corporate Finance, West Africa
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        University
                                        University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        Degree
                                        BA Economics
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        Nationality
                                        US
                                    
      
                                    
      
                                        Joined
                                        2007
                                    
      
                                      
                            
      
                        
      
                        
      I started my career as an Investment Banking Analyst at JP Morgan before moving to Lucent Technologies and joining their Mergers & Acquisitions team. From there, I obtained my MBA and went on to join Credit Suisse in their London-based Equity Corporate Finance Department. I joined Renaissance’s Sub-Saharan Africa Corporate Finance team in 2007.

      I was attracted to Renaissance because of the opportunity to build something special in Sub-Saharan Africa. I believe we have the ability to build one of the premier financial services franchises in the region and I welcomed the chance to be a part of this from the beginning.

      I think the kind of person who thrives at Renaissance is hard working, confident, patient and not afraid to take chances. Within the Africa business, I think you also have to be willing to learn and understand diverse cultural differences and business practices.

      Renaissance is different from other organisations I have worked for in many ways, but perhaps the phrase that captures it best is ‘less rigid’.

      Overall, I think our culture is one of a strong entrepreneurial spirit. From there, I think the culture differs depending on the region where you work. In many ways I think the culture is being shaped as we go along.

      For me, no two days are the same, but the objectives are. I work with my colleagues to strategise and position us to win business and then provide our clients with the best service we can while also working internally to improve our franchise.
      
                    
      
                
                            
    
        
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