The eprivateclient 50 Most Influential is the definitive rankings of the key players in the UK and offshore private client practitioner sector.
To showcase the achievements of those listed this year and to get to know them a bit better, eprivateclient has begun publishing a new Q&A series with our 2021 50 Most Influentials.
Today we hear from Intertust's global head of private wealth, Francis Parisis, who took up his role in May last year. He focuses on bringing next generation services to private clients, UHNW as well as family office, sovereign and endowment funds. Francis has worked in the wealth management industry for over 20 years and has worked at firms including Citco and latterly IQ-EQ.
What have been your proudest personal/team achievements this year?
It has been a year of contrasts for everyone. However, my proudest moments have been to continue building great personal relationships with clients, business partners and colleagues despite the challenges of COVID and the physical restrictions.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Dare to make changes, take risks and avoid the comfort zone!
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
Although this has been somewhat limited, the most rewarding aspects of my role are the human contact, creating values and allowing others to benefit from my experience and knowledge.
What challenges do you see your firm/clients facing in 2021?
Like everyone, the challenge of COVID has and is continuing to be a priority. Keeping pace with the changes, adapting to rules and regulations, and the unprecedented uncertainty of the immediate future, do allow us however to become a lot more agile, connected and push us to adapt quicker within new circumstances and surroundings. The pace at which we have done this, is both a blessing and challenge to ensure things are done on the long term, while being challenged with short term hurdles.
What does being named a 50 Most Influential mean to you?
It is always humbling to be named by my pears who recognise my contribution to assisting clients, colleagues and business partners.
What is the favourite part of your job?
Continued interaction with people on a very large variety of topics. Whether it is clients, business partners or colleagues, it’s always interesting to discuss “face to face” the huge variety of subjects that the private wealth world entails.
What made you choose to focus on private client work?
There line between private/personal and professional matters is a lot more subtill when dealing with private clients. This in turn creates a much larger diversity of topics, challenges and hence solutions.
What book/luxury item would you want with you on a desert island?
‘1000 destinations to visit in a lifetime’
If you were not in (and it is not) your current role, what would be your dream job?
Managing my own 2 boutique hotels, one in a sunny destination, the other in a great ski resort.
What’s your favourite hobbies/passions/interests outside of work?
I run the Luxembourg national Field Hockey Club. As part of this, it brings together my family, other families, children, adults, doing the same sport, in one place, in one club, every week over and over - it keeps me going! It is extremely rewarding!
What one piece of advice has benefited you the most in your career?
Change when you are not happy!