"Among a global customer base, only the best products are successful. Those are the products we choose to make."
Petri Aho, who oversees Aktia's international customer base, encourages those interested in the financial sector to acquire subject-matter expertise, build networks and think globally.
Aktia's international customer base consists of institutional investors in the Nordic countries and in Central and Southern Europe. The customer relationship is managed either directly or through external sales partners.
"My days usually consist of meetings with partners and investors, meeting preparations and follow-up. We meet investors both digitally via Teams calls and in person. In other words, there are a fair number of travel days,” says Petri Aho, Director in charge of international sales.
Many opportunities
Aktia's international sales team currently consists of three team members, and the number is growing. At the heart of the work are sales of the company's flagship products, emerging market and European corporate bond funds, to foreign customers.
"Aktia's products are of global interest because of our unique expertise. For example, our Frontier Bonds fund is the world's first and still a rare niche product. We also have strong and broad expertise in fixed income products, where we have built a top-class range over the years,” Aho continues.
He says he sees wide-ranging opportunities in international sales.
“While digitalisation has made the world smaller, the requirements of customers have increased. Among a global customer base, only the best products are successful. Those are the products we choose to make.”
Tips for applicants: think globally
According to Aho, Aktia's day-to-day operations are characterised by a strong sense of togetherness.
"Our culture, at its best, is about focusing on getting things done while avoiding silo effects. We know each other here, and the teams work well together. Our size allows us to be fast and agile.”
Aho is a Master of Social Sciences with a major in Economics and has spent his entire career in the financial sector. His advice to those interested in the financial sector is as follows:
“Acquire subject-matter expertise, build networks, and think globally! The financial sector and especially wealth management are important new service export sectors in Finland and hold many opportunities. Now is the time to forget the old idea that Sweden, Denmark or Britain is better at these things than we are. It is really great to see that the new generations are not held back by these kinds of thoughts anymore."