Mark England, State Street
Job title: Head of asset management and insurance, sector sales, Asia Pacific, State Street
Previous company and job title: Head of asset management sales, Citi Investor Services
Years in the region: Eight
What do you consider to be your home town? Brisbane
Educational background: B. Arts, University of Queensland
First job in the industry: Prime brokerage middle office, Merrill Lynch, London
What is the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your professional life?
Reducing headcount. While it is never personal, it’s such a personal process to work through. I’ve had experiences where people have been genuinely grateful down the track, as they’ve moved on to something they were better aligned to. But it is something all professionals find very tough.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I’ve had the opportunity a couple of times to shape a team over a period of years. Pulling together people with complementary skillsets and then setting an agenda they buy into is hugely rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone who is beginning their career in the funds industry?
Be patient and understand the fundamentals. Find a firm whose aspirations seem to match yours, and stick with them.
If you could change one thing about the funds industry, what would it be?
There is still a lot of complexity where there doesn’t need to be, and transparency is still an issue.
What is your greatest ambition?
To raise kids that have ambition, balance and passion, and to share their experiences.
Best investment you’ve made?
In 1990, I bought two bottles of Penfolds Grange Hermitage for $80. A 1982 and a 1983. I was looking at their valuations at auction in about 2005 or 2006 and the returns were amazing. I drank both bottles sequentially with my wife and my folks over dinner.
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know: I just don’t like abalone.
Favourite country to visit? Spain.
Favourite type of food? Right right now it’s Sichuan Chinese.
Favourite book or film? Pulp Fiction. It has everything.
Your house is burning. Your family is safe. You have time to rescue one object. What would it be and why?
The family photos. Kids grow so quickly, and I love to trawl back through those memories even though my kids are still only young.
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