Cédric Anker is today the CEO of Vontobel's Geneva office, the venerable Swiss private bank with more than SFr. 80 billion under management and an asset base of SFr. 120 billion. Cédric was offered this position when he was 39 years old, just after having completed IMD's Program for Executive Development. IMD's Jim Pulcrano met with Cédric recently to try to understand the changes he has gone through.

IMD: Eighteen months ago you left a very good position at Credit Suisse to become CEO of Vontobel's Geneva office. Why?

CA : Since the beginning of my career, with UBS in 1987, I had changed jobs only once, to join Credit Suisse 12 years ago. Approaching the age of 40, I felt it was time for a new challenge. Credit Suisse gave me a great opportunity to do corporate and investment banking in New York and private banking in Geneva, allowing me to deal with both international and onshore clients. All these positions consisted of management competences and, according to Vontobel, I was hence ready to take the responsibility of a CEO position, by managing their Latin-Europe Private Banking activities.

IMD: When you joined Vontobel, what were your biggest challenges?

CA : Probably to adapt to a completely new environment, by changing from an establishment with more than 75,000 employees to one with approximately 1,200, but with strong family values and where decisions are taken with a long-term perspective. On top of that, the entrepreneurial spirit within the Group is very well developed with important responsibilities assigned to the different regions or businesses covered. At Credit Suisse, I managed more than 100 employees, all of them being relationship managers, assistants or specialists. At Vontobel I am in charge of the entire unit covering all departments including front, trading, security, marketing, IT, legal and compliance, back-offices, etc.

IMD: How did your participation in IMD's Program for Executive Development (PED) help you with these challenges?

CA : It gave me the necessary structure for the due diligence I went through and, more importantly, helped me to quickly evaluate the situation I was going to manage and the quick-win decisions to be taken.

IMD: How has your leadership style changed since PED?

CA : When facing a problem, I take time to step back, breathe, think and then act. I also involve other colleagues to discuss the situation and analyze the possible consequences of the different options. I frequently use the “red team” technique (war gaming, setting up an internal team to challenge your strategy) and I developed my negotiation skills.

IMD: What do you do differently as a CEO, compared to your previous roles?

CA : As I have to manage different activities within the same organization, I do invest a substantial amount of time to orchestrate people and to ensure that everyone knows each other and understands « the big picture ». For example, we have set up a monthly presentation at which we communicate results, projects, objectives, marketing events, etc. This presentation is open to everybody, really everyone who is interested, as I seek to give the same information to the IT specialist, the compliance officer and the usher.

IMD: What do you do differently since your time at IMD in the PED?

CA : Life balance has become a more important topic. Turning 40 and having a second son pushed me to do things differently. PED provided great help in progressing with my projects, and the network I was able to develop during the program is an important tool that I use when I need the opinion of someone working in a different industry or coming from a different culture.

IMD: You've been quoted as saying that training and development is the only way for the Swiss banking community to stay ahead of the competition. You've completed IMD's Program for Executive Development; what's next for Cédric Anker?

CA : The IMD EMBA is part of my plan and is near the top of my “27 things to do before I die”!

IMD: On January 11, 2011 at 11:00am the Banque Vontobel will celebrate its 100 year anniversary. Does that number and that date resonate for you personally?

CA : As a Swiss citizen, I think I will even push to 11:11 am ! Seriously, I strongly believe that our employees, our shareholders and of course our clients should be very proud of this important anniversary. 11.1.2011 is an important milestone for all of us and time has come now for reflection and actions to be taken with respect to the targets we would like to achieve at that precise moment.