Employees at SIX

Jesús, Head of Domestic Settlement Services, is a person of many hobbies and has mastered the ability of applying everything he learns from his pastimes and volunteering into his day-to-day work life. Learn about his history at SIX and how his hobbies made him grow personally and professionally. 

Jesús you’ve been working at SIX and BME for a few years now, can you tell us about your history in the company?

I started working at BME in Madrid, Spain, more than 18 years ago, back in February of 2006. During this time I had the opportunity to embrace new roles and challenges that enabled me to meet new people, gain insights on various topics and different points of view, and, of course, to grow personally and professionally.

SIX is a globally active company. How does SIX manage to preserve its cultural identity?

Balancing global processes with local cultures isn’t easy. We need to find the right balance by working together, no matter where we are or what our roles are. Too much uniformity doesn’t work and neither does too little. Management has been doing a good job with this, and I hope we keep it up because it’s everyone’s responsibility.

In my meetings, I always encourage collaboration. While I can’t control everything, I can promote teamwork and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. This way, we can respect cultural differences while still working towards common goals.

Talking about collaboration, you have a long history of volunteering. What are some of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of teaching Spanish to Foreign Unaccompanied Minors?

We all have vulnerabilities. In my case, it’s the belief that no one is different. In other words, I cannot accept the idea that someone’s life path is better than another’s simply due to their country, culture, race, belief, or religion.

Where I live, there is a center housing 1,500 foreigners, and I volunteer there to help them feel less alone or afraid. The language barrier is a significant challenge. I assist them with their communication needs, helping them to speak effectively in stores or when they need to ask for help.

The most rewarding aspect is seeing their effort and appreciation. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness their progress and to know that my work helps them navigate social situations and overcome cultural barriers. The biggest challenge is addressing the diverse needs and backgrounds of each individual, but it’s also what makes this work so meaningful.

Doing this volunteering work you closely deal with individuals from diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and needs. How has this experience helped you in your job? How do you think this contributes to the purpose and strategy of SIX?

Volunteering has taught me to be more understanding and patient. Instead of getting frustrated when someone doesn’t understand, I see it as an opportunity to improve my communication skills and try again. This perspective is crucial because there are times when I might be the one who doesn’t understand something, and experiencing this firsthand has deepened my empathy.

Regarding how this contributes to the strategy of SIX, I believe that diversity should be more than just a word; it should be a way of being. The same goes for tolerance and loyalty. It’s essential that we work together, each bringing our unique contributions and striving for continuous improvement. Being constructively critical and humbly tolerant is key to our collective success.

Your experience at SIX and BME in three words?

Loyalty, tolerance, and hard work. 

Morten Rasmussen, a passionate sales professional at SIX in Denmark, shares insights into his career and mountaineering journey. From summiting Everest to achieving sales targets, he reveals how lessons from the mountains shape his approach to teamwork, growth, and overcoming challenges. Discover how his journey drives the success in both business and adventure.

When did you join SIX and how would you describe your role?

I joined the SIX sales team in December 2022 and I am based in Denmark. My role involves speaking with clients, understanding their needs, and exploring how we can support their projects, particularly in market data for big banks, central banks, pension funds, and family offices. I have revenue targets and KPIs to meet, but I enjoy my work and have great management support.

How did you get into mountain climbing and what fascinates you most about this hobby?

I began mountain climbing in 2008 with a 10-day expedition in Russia’s Caucasus region, climbing Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. This sparked my pursuit of the Seven Summits. Since then, I’ve climbed Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in Alaska, and Everest in 2019, where I summited from the north side after two challenging months in Tibet.

What fascinates me most about mountaineering is its simplicity. It requires focusing on basic needs: staying warm, dry, and patient. I enjoy the journey and the step-by-step process of reaching the summit, knowing the descent requires just as much focus. I also love the positivity among climbers—it’s a sport that combines adventure and travel, where you meet optimistic people ready for tough days. After 16 years, this mindset and dedication keep drawing me to the mountains.

You said before that it’s about the journey and not the moment at the mountain peak. How is this reflected in your professional goals?

Yes, for me, it’s really about the journey rather than the moment at the peak, and I see this reflected in my professional goals as well. Just as with mountaineering, where the experience comes from the process, in my job I focus on the progression and the steps it takes to reach an objective rather than just on the result. Building strong teams, navigating group dynamics, and achieving a shared goal with people from diverse backgrounds are as essential to me in the workplace as they are on an expedition. Every project brings new people and challenges, and I enjoy figuring out what each person brings to the table, how we can work best together, and learning along the way. It’s that collaborative journey, with all its challenges and growth, that brings the most fulfillment.

Climbing is often about overcoming limits. How does this mental strength help you in your day-to-day professional life, especially when faced with challenges in sales?

I think sales are really similar to mountain climbing. You have KPIs, and there are ups and downs. Sometimes, you go through periods when you don’t sell as much—just like when there’s bad weather on the mountain. During those times, you know that things will eventually turn around; you’ll meet your KPIs, climb the mountain, or try again next year if you don’t succeed. You just need to be patient, work a little harder, and focus on what you can control. If you’re behind on KPIs, it might only take a few deals to get back on track, just as in mountaineering, where bad weather or illness can set you back but then clear up in a few days. It’s all about patience, and in the end, things usually come together.

You are generally quite active and practice other sports as well. How does this personal passion of yours contribute to the SIX purpose and strategy?

My hobbies, particularly endurance sports like MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), marathon running, and mountaineering directly contribute to my resilience and long-term focus. Both is  essential for achieving my purpose and strategy in sales. These activities teach me to stay patient, maintain stamina, and commit to long-term goals without immediate rewards—qualities that align well with the demands of lengthy sales cycles and project timelines. In sales, as in sports, success requires consistent effort and the ability to push through challenges, knowing that persistence will ultimately lead to results. This mindset helps me stay aligned with our company’s long-term strategy and deliver on my KPIs effectively.

Your experience at SIX in three words?

Great colleagues, exciting work, great opportunities.

Turgut, Service Manager, applies his extensive knowledge not only to his position at SIX, but also to his role as a lecturer. His enthusiasm for mentoring is driven by his passion for culture, problem-solving and the desire to contribute to society.

Turgut, you’re in the IT department, can you tell us a bit more about what you do specifically?

In my role, I focus on designing and improving business processes, particularly those related to IT. My main emphasis is on digitalization, cost reduction, and automatization. This allows us to help employees focus on their core tasks by streamlining administrative processes.

What I like most about my job is looking for synergies in our business and seeking possibilities for improvement in any area.

Can you share a bit about what inspired you to become a part-time mentor?

In addition to my work at SIX, I also work as a lecturer at HSO Business School for Business Informatics, which brings me great joy. For me mentoring and coaching are essential aspects of my role as a lecturer.

The motivation behind it came from different experiences. For starters, I volunteered at a Culture Committee in my city during a proposal to sponsor a local initiative, and we decided to provide economic aid to artists from the area. It was so exciting to do something meaningful and contribute to the culture of the place where I live.

What inspired me the most, however, was in 2018 when I joined the Culture Transformation Program at SIX, which  led to SIX Spirit: a company-wide network of people who recognize cultural needs and implement initiatives to align with the corporate strategy and business goals. There, I worked alongside experts in facilitating workshops and working with leaders. This made me reconnect with my passion for workshops and interacting with people, which allowed me to grow and find deeper professional fulfillment in sharing knowledge.

How do you balance these mentoring projects with your full-time position at SIX?

Despite my limited availability, I make it a priority to dedicate focused time to HSO, where I teach part-time. To complement my responsibilities at SIX, I carefully schedule tasks and maintain a balance. Saying, “No, I can’t”, is sometimes necessary. The hybrid working model at SIX is also a very helpful resource that allows me to balance things more smoothly.

I value synergies and effective time management. My students benefit from my practical experiences at SIX, and at the same time I keep growing professionally and personally. As an example, Generative AI is in demand at SIX, HSO, and by me personally. By learning and applying these tools, I enhance efficiency in all three areas.

This approach benefits my work at SIX, at the Business School, and myself, creating a win-win situation.

Given your passion for culture, how do you integrate cultural elements into your day-to-day work life at SIX? How do you think SIX fosters and promotes culture?

I value open communication and cooperation, and our values, such as Collaboration and Trust, align perfectly with my own. I avoid micromanagement and foster an environment where diverse perspectives are valued. Interacting with people from various cultures enriches our inclusive workplace.

Incorporating principles from our Cultural Transformation Program, like the “circle of influence,” helps me focus on what I can control. Facilitating workshops offers learning opportunities, and I emphasize both teamwork and independent work.

SIX fosters culture through various initiatives, including strategy workshops, leadership development, and regular roundtables. We have a dedicated unit that supports these efforts and a CEO who actively backs this cultural strategy with time and resources.

Your experience at SIX in three words?
Learning, growth, and fulfillment.

Meet Onur, a procurement specialist who recently came back to Switzerland from his short-term assignment at BME. When in Madrid, he also joined a local athletics club and found a community outside of the office. From personal growth to professional improvement, learn more about how this experience has shaped him.

How did you start at SIX?

I started my journey at SIX as an apprentice in the Olten office back in 2015. I spent two years as an apprentice and then moved to the Procurement department as a full-time employee, which is where I am working now.

What led you to take on a SIX international assignment?

Since I heard about the fusion of SIX and BME a few years ago, I have been thinking about the possibility of joining my team in Madrid. I had visited the city a couple of times before and knew that I loved it.

I’m always seeking new challenges and goals and I thought that this would be a great chance for me to expand my knowledge and learn more about the culture of the rest of my colleagues. Working shoulder to shoulder with them seemed like a golden opportunity.

The possibility came up recently as a global project needed support in Madrid and I offered to help out, which was beneficial both for me and the Spanish team.

How has this experience helped you in an international work environment? 

It really surprised me; I didn’t expect it to impact me as much as it did. I experienced a lot of self-improvement and growth. I became more self-confident and felt more comfortable in my position. It was also really nice to connect with people at BME to share knowledge, and to work with the rest of my team in person. They’ve all been super welcoming and made me feel at home.

What has this short-term assignment given you on a personal level? 

I was fortunate enough to have found a community both in the workspace and outside.

I do athletics and wanted to keep doing it in Madrid. Luckily, I found a club I liked and joining it allowed me to meet a lot of people and create a community as well as to keep doing something I’m passionate about. I even participated in a few competitions! Improving my Spanish was also a plus.

Overall, Madrid made me feel at home while immersing myself in a new environment.

Your experience at SIX in three words? 

Challenge, improvement, and collaboration.

In her spare time María del Carmen, Project Manager at BME, helps out at Casa Santa Teresa, a convent that supports elderly women with disabilities. Find out more about her long journey at BME and her motivation behind volunteering on a weekly basis.

You started your career at BME 33 years ago. How has your journey been so far?   

After a few years in IT, I decided to switch to Internal Audit in 2016. Two years later, I went back to IT. At the time of the merger of SIX and BME, I had the opportunity to join a merger project. I was the first Spaniard on the project, and I served as a kind of bridge between the Swiss and the Spanish. Having worked at BME for so long, I know almost everyone. I am a very open person who likes to talk to people. This skill was very useful in establishing the link between Spain and Switzerland. Within the project I also worked for the culture workstream; we talked about the values of SIX and we encouraged teamwork.

Can you tell us about your volunteer work?

Every Saturday afternoon I volunteer at Casa Santa Teresa, a convent that helps elderly women with disabilities. I started working there seven years ago, after my daughter’s school asked for support with the Social Work subject.

I support by preparing various accessible activities that we can enjoy together: We either go for a walk, do sports or even have sleepovers and go on weekend trips. The goal is for them to enjoy themselves in a safe space where they are supported and taken care of.

What is your motivation behind this volunteering and how does it help you in your career and your work in general?

The main motivation is my desire to help people. I am a person with a lot of initiative and drive. When I started, I thought about what I needed to do, how to plan things, and how I was going to help them. The truth is, they have helped me more than I have helped them. They teach gratitude, patience, and teamwork. I feel very loved, they never ask for anything. They take what you give them without asking for anything in return. So, for me it’s a feeling of giving and receiving.

That same drive and initiative I apply to my job every day. The new perspective they give me helps with my personal and professional growth. Getting out of your comfort zone improves your ability to view challenges from different angles.

What advice can you give to a colleague who would like to do more volunteering?

When you volunteer, you see that there are lives completely different from yours, making you realize the value of having a family, a job, and good health.

Above all, you realize that it’s about gratitude. You start to value everything you have and everything they have, because you realize that there are people who are very happy with very little.

SIX and BME have made one working day per year available to their employees for a volunteer assignment. I would recommend that every employee take part in such a volunteering day. Maybe other employees will find their way to volunteering in their free time.  

Your experience at SIX and BME in three words?

Passionate, diverse, and global.

Meet Juliane, who is currently pursuing a team coaching qualification in the UK. Find out how she can apply this knowledge and is supported by SIX during her education.

How long have you been with SIX and in which area are you working?

I have been with the company for four years and work in Human Resources, where the focus is on employees. For example, I take care of onboarding, professional development, the organizational structure, and career development for employees in the Financial Information business unit – an area of SIX that procures, aggregates and processes data for its clients.

You are currently pursuing a qualification as a team coach in the UK. Could you share more about this qualification and how you can apply this knowledge at SIX?

Team building, team structures, different roles within the team: I am fascinated by teams! Collaboration is very strong within our team. In fact, in everyday life, whether in sports or in the family, we operate within a team structure. At SIX, various smaller and larger teams are an integral part of our company and teamwork is the norm in most departments. This interest has led me to explore the question of how to improve teamwork. As a team coach, I deal with psychological issues such as human behavior or motivation and how to promote effective teamwork. We also deal with the composition of teams, the definition of roles and goal-oriented team communication. Team coaches also manage complex global, virtual, and intercultural team dynamics. My training as a team coach is a one-year qualification that is comparable to a postgraduate degree.

Perhaps, like many of us, you work in a team every day. Take a moment to observe how your team members communicate. Think about how you can listen. It’s really fascinating how much you can learn just by observing people within a group, including insights from observing your own interactions.

How does SIX support you and your overall development?

SIX has been a tremendous support on my career path so far, offering benefits like the flexible working model for all employees, and financial support, which has helped me a lot. The training program has a flexible structure, so I travel to England for the lectures and study on my own in between. This allows me to combine the program very well with my full-time job. In addition, my line manager and I regularly discuss my career development opportunities. Together, we develop strategies on how I can apply the newly acquired skills in my day-to-day work and integrate them into my job. For example, I already work as a team coach for a global team at SIX. With my current training, I am thus helping to improve the performance of the teams at SIX in the long term. Team coaching focuses entirely on the needs and challenges of the respective team: clear team goals, trust within the team, good team communication, dealing with conflicts, and, of course, fun and team spirit. A great mix of personal interest and a contribution to SIX.

What do you do in your free time to find a balance between work and your current training?

It’s perhaps not surprising that I enjoy spending my free time with my friends and family. Being with them gives me a huge boost of energy. Additionally, horseback riding helps me to unwind and concentrate on something completely different. As I love animals very much, working with horses is another passion of mine.

Your experience at SIX in three words?

Challenging, international, and really rewarding.

Meet Robert, who started to learn Spanish when he joined SIX in Poland. Find out how he manages to learn a new language on top of his daily work and why his interest in sociology helps him get better at his job as application manager SaaS. 

Robert, as application manager SaaS you are responsible for the implementation and maintenance of Software-as-a-Service solutions: This includes ensuring a smooth and efficient implementation of cloud-based services for our internal customers. What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy working in a diverse team that brings together people from different cultures and backgrounds. This dynamic environment encourages creativity, collaboration and a lively exchange of ideas. Another aspect of my role that I find particularly fulfilling is the constant interaction with the people I work with. This includes regular communication with internal customers, end users, external consultants, and our technical teams.

How did you manage to combine learning a new language with your daily work?

Fortunately, our company provides a language-learning platform, called Speex, that has been instrumental in helping me combine my language-learning journey with my daily work. This platform offers great flexibility, allowing me to arrange lessons with native Spanish speakers in a way that fits my schedule, whether it’s during breaks, after work, or even during my commute. The platform gives me access to a range of learning materials, including written exercises and interactive activities, and allows me to track my progress.

In addition to IT, you are also fascinated by sociology. How does this knowledge support you in your daily work?

Sociology provides a unique lens through which we can understand ourselves and the world around us. Knowledge from sociology helps me see how social constructs, norms, and values impact our lives and influence our interactions with others. This broader perspective is immensely valuable to my work. In my role, it has helped me develop a deeper understanding of human behavior and dynamics in teams and organizations. By recognizing the social factors, such as cultural diversity, I can better navigate and manage interpersonal relationships, foster effective communication, and improve collaboration. This understanding is especially beneficial when working with heterogeneous teams, as it allows me to appreciate and respect different cultural backgrounds and perspectives, and to adapt my communication approach to different cultural contexts. In summary, understanding the principles of sociology allows me to approach situations with a more open mind, understand different perspectives better, and build stronger connections.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining SIX in Poland?

First and foremost, take advantage of the multitude of tools and resources provided by the company to support employee development. SIX places a strong emphasis on personal growth and provides ample opportunities for learning and advancement.

It is crucial to take ownership of your career. The company provides a supportive environment, but it is up to each and every one of us to drive our own career development. Be proactive in seeking out opportunities for growth, whether it’s attending training programs, participating in workshops or seminars, or taking on challenging projects. Actively engaging in professional development will not only enhance your skills and knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment and dedication to personal and professional growth.

Remember that career development is not limited to climbing the traditional corporate ladder. Embrace opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, lateral moves within the company, and even career shifts if they resonate with your goals and passions.

Lastly, stay curious and open-minded. The business landscape is constantly evolving, and being adaptable and willing to learn new things is essential for long-term success.

Your experience at SIX in three words?

Skills Development, Trust, and Customer Focus.

Sandra moved from Ireland, her country of origin, to Paris before relocating to Brussels in 2008, where she works as Local Country Head for the Benelux countries. She has a passion for sustainability issues and interior design. Find out how the art of feng shui helps her achieve balance and harmony, both inside and outside the office.

Sandra, this year marks your 20th anniversary with SIX. What made you stay here and what did you enjoy most?

I always had the opportunity to grow and learn new things. I also felt that through my different activities I could participate in the growth of SIX. I very much enjoy the people I work with, and it has been very satisfying to see how my teams have developed and grown over the years.

How should one imagine your job?

As Local Country Head, I am responsible for the day-to-day business and have to drive the company forward, change or adapt the business. It is also my responsibility to ensure that all employees understand the goals set by SIX and that they have a working environment in which they are comfortable and feel safe. It is also important that I listen to my employees, support them, and give them a voice.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

The challenge we face is making sure that the energy stays high and that our people are motivated and enjoy what they do. Furthermore, Benelux is a multicultural and multilingual environment, and we need to constantly work on the common denominator that makes us all tick. I believe this is found in the Values of SIX: Collaboration, Ownership, Customer Focus, and Trust.

You are engaged with sustainability (ESG) topics and always think of ways to use the office in a more efficient and sustainable way. Can you tell us more about this?

We recently set up an ESG & Events Committee with five voluntary members covering the Benelux region. They already have a lot of ideas such as applying for a Green Certification for an event we are organizing in October.

In April this year we became a member of IMS (Inspiring More Sustainability). This organization can teach us a lot about ESG, as they have trainings, conferences, and events where we can participate in and learn how to drive this mission forward.

Another big achievement was signing the Diversity Charter in Luxembourg this May, a step in the right direction for SIX. We are also proud to have greatly improved the ratio of men to women in Luxembourg: We are now at eight men to six women, compared to fourteen men to two women only three years ago.

At the moment we are looking to contribute to our environment by making sure that we sort our bins and that we are conscious about the use of energy in the office. We are planning to have some showers installed in the premises so that our employees have the possibility to come to work on their bicycle and do sport at lunch time if they wish.

Is interior design something that interests you in your free time as well?

Yes, of course. I base my decoration on a science which is 4,000 years old: feng shui. It is all about finding harmony and balance by using the cardinal directions. They come with colors, shapes, and objects, giving us various energies that we can deploy depending on our needs and wishes, whether they need activation or calming. The result is the creation of a living or working space where you feel balanced and peaceful and ready to take on the world! I am passionate about feng shui. I love it, because it works.

Your experience at SIX in three words?

That’s a hard question because there are so many things I can say after 20 years! Today I would say that SIX is: focused, developing, and supportive.

Enrique is the Director of Instituto BME in Spain. In his free time, he plays rugby and coaches the under-14 category of his club. Find out how his job and his hobby complement each other.

What does your day as Director of Instituto BME look like?

Instituto BME is a small company within the group where nine people work. We manage the courses, teach the classes, and carry out the commercial and financial activities. Every year, we have more than 6,500 students and manage around 200 courses, along with 4,000 hours of training. We have long-duration courses such as master’s degrees and short-duration specialization courses. Right now, for example, we simultaneously have 5 master’s degree courses (three editions of Artificial Intelligence and two of Financial Markets) while already preparing the summer courses and those that begin in the second half of the year. Additionally, we are recording new Braindex courses, constantly improving the platform and incorporating more staff. Each day is different, we have to be organized and versatile. Everyone has to do everything. Here at Instituto BME we don’t get bored!

What do you specifically like about your job? 

Is there anything more important than education? We have the most important job in the world, and it is one with a great deal of responsibility. I have been dedicated to training for more than 20 years and it is a very rewarding activity. From time to time a student comes up to me and tells me: “I did my master’s degree many years ago, it was the best decision. You changed my life.” In these moments, they make it all worthwhile.

You are also very active in your private life – you play rugby. 

Yes, I play rugby, although now at a slower pace as I am in the over-40 category, but I’ll keep playing as long as I can. I have been playing since I was nine years old, and I had to stop playing professionally when I was 26 years old. I say “professional level” because you train and dedicate as much time to it as a professional. But at the same time it is not professional because you can’t make a living as a rugby player in Spain. There comes a time when you must choose a field in which you can earn a living for the rest of your life. I was lucky to be part of a great generation of players and I accomplished great things. We won the Division of Honor League, two King’s Cups, one Iberian Cup, and I also played at a European Cup and two U20 World Championships with Spain. So, I can’t complain, in sports I’ve had a short but intense “professional” life. Now I enjoy a lot playing on the veterans team, especially the third half, where traditionally the home team invites the rival team to eat and drink.

You are also a coach now, right?

Yes, I currently coach the under-14 category of my club. In 2013, I took my five-year-old son to the club and the club’s management asked me to help. I’ve been coaching now for nine years. Generally, rugby clubs in Spain don’t have a big budget, so all of us working there are volunteers. But teaching the young players the values of rugby and seeing them grow and team up is very rewarding. I have been coaching throughout the categories while my son was playing. At some point I will have to leave him though.

To what extent do your hobby and your job complement each other? 

The values that I have learned from sports are teamwork, discipline, commitment, and respect. They are fundamental in any organization. A team only works if everyone pushes themselves as much as they can. Each and everyone is necessary. It takes just as much respect for teammates as it takes commitment to the job.

What advice would you give someone who considers joining SIX? 

SIX is a great company with many opportunities. We are operating in a fast-changing business where you have to be able to adapt quickly. My advice would be to keep a positive attitude and to be proactive. These are qualities that any manager recognizes. Also, try to be versatile. Continuing education is very important too as it helps you adapt to new challenges and projects. And don’t forget to learn from colleagues – SIX is a company with great people from whom you can learn a lot.

Your experience at SIX in three words.

Teamwork, efficiency, and honesty.

Elena, Head Financial Risk Management at SIX, enjoys playing the saxophone professionally in her free time. She graduated in Economics and Finance and, in parallel, Music. Find out why both degrees are an essential part of who she is.  

What does your day as Head Financial Risk Management look like?

Together with my team, we make sure that all financial risks are sufficiently monitored, reported, and covered. As a result, my day begins with a team meeting to share information, support and to gather feedback. After that, the day fills in quickly with meetings and requests. As the team that is accountable for the second line of defense, we want to minimize all threats to SIX, protect its reputation, fulfill regulatory requirements and still stay competitive. This requires staying focused, committed and involved. It means communicating proactively with all departments and acting fast. We do our best!

What do you specifically like about your job? 

I like that my role allows me to get a holistic view of SIX and its businesses. Also, I enjoy the fact that my tasks are very diverse and challenging, therefore, my job is always exciting. I also like that I can get in touch with everybody, share views and find common solutions.

Not only Economics and Finance are important parts of your life but also Music. How come?

I graduated in Economics and Finance and, in parallel, in Music. Both degrees are an essential part of who I am because I like rationality and numbers and to be able to prove and check a concept. Nevertheless, I also love to be creative, which is why I also enjoy playing the saxophone, something I have been doing for 20 years now. I guess my father’s passion for Jazz music, as along with my cousin and my brother, all inspired me to love music. I have been part of many bands and orchestras in the past. Currently, I play Jazz and Fusion, among others, in a big band in Kloten .

To what extent do your hobby and your job complement each other? 
Playing the saxophone pushes me to search for creativity which helps me in my job to see solutions outside the box and to sometimes improvise. In contrast, my job gives me structure, and helps me strengthen my resilience and resolve. This is also essential in music because even if you are creative you need to practice to get good at it.

What advice would you give someone who considers joining SIX?  

Be passionate about what you do and take full advantage of the company’s culture by networking with all the teams across functions. We have great people working at SIX.

Your experience at SIX in three words:

Exciting, dynamic and fun.

Five and half years ago, Alessandro started his career as a lateral mover at SIX in Operations. Now he works at the competence center of the asset servicing as an important cross function between different stakeholders. His leisure time he dedicates to Arts.

What does your day as a Specialist Corporate Actions look like?

There is no such thing as a typical day for me. Every day looks different and depends mostly on the upcoming meetings and deadlines, but other than that I am quite flexible. Since last year I have been working as a change manager and in this role I act as an intermediary between operations, IT, customers and many internal departments. I drive changes, improve and redesign processes with a holistic view.

What do you specifically like about your job?

On the one hand, I love that variety and new challenges always await me. I also like the fact that I can constantly meet new people and that we can work out solutions together. For this, good communication is particularly important. On the other hand, I think it is great that I can really make an impact and move things forward. Thereby, I am able to express my creativity by redesigning processes and thinking out of the box.

You are also creative in your private life - you paint pictures.

I am still in the experimental phase and I use many diverse painting techniques. At the moment I try mainly abstract art. My dream is to be able to exhibit my paintings at my own vernissage one day.

In what way does being an artist make you proud?

It makes me specifically proud that I'm carrying on a small tradition, since my whole family is artistically active. But most of all, I like it when my art makes other people happy. I sell my paintings on a small scale and it fills me with pride when my art pleases other people like that.

To what extent do your hobby and your job complement each other?

I am a very visual person and when I face a problem at work, I solve it by visualizing it. The other way around, I can really switch off while painting and drawing in my free time. Painting and drawing feels a bit like being in a different world. I can let out my creativity and I am guided by my inspiration. Sometimes I also get inspired by other pieces of art, art books or social media.

What advice would you give someone who considers to join SIX? 

If you want advance in your career, make an important contribution and work in an innovative, flexible, vivid and exciting environment which changes constantly, you are just right at SIX.

Your experience at SIX in three words:

Growth, trust, passion.

María Calvo, a person, a woman, a wife, the mother of three kids, a daughter, a sister, and a deputy head lawyer in the legal department in Spain (at BME, a SIX company), where she has been working for almost 18 years.
 

How would you describe your current responsibilities?

Challenging and exciting. As a member of the legal team, continually adapting to the constantly changing regulatory and legal landscape is key in delivering our legal advice and cementing our position as the best business partner. As a deputy, I view my responsibilities as an opportunity to support the team in any aspect where I can contribute to fostering a better working environment, creating opportunities for professional growth and development, and facilitating daily legal tasks.

What are the most important things you have learned while progressing both professionally and privately?

The most important wisdom learned (or rather, my core belief) is that we are human beings above all, immense in significance and dignity, and equal even though each of us holds different roles or positions. We need to practice self-awareness of our virtues and weaknesses in the ongoing search for the best version of ourselves as people. We are not just professionals in a working environment. We all have our own personal dreams, interests, goals, families, hobbies, and skills. We all need to achieve our purpose and to attain fulfillment both professionally and personally. Respect, consideration, gratitude, generosity, and empathy are needed. A work-life balance is essential as well.

How does the company help you maintain your work-life balance?

Our company offers a good set of helpful measures such as the possibility to cut back working hours, employment flexibility, and a strong commitment with a culture rooted in values such as “customer focus,” “collaboration,” “ownership,” and “trust.” However, when your responsibilities and your professional commitment increase, how you attain a sustainable work-life balance depends very much on your personal limits, priorities, and organization. Combining all of your different roles in a satisfactory way sometimes becomes almost a heroic undertaking. I pay homage to all those people, particularly women, who have succeeded in this challenge.

There’s still a lot to be done, and all of us should be part of it. Raising awareness of the need to protect a work-life balance becomes imperative because motivated, personally fulfilled, and well-balanced people have proven to be the best professionals.

What advice would you give someone who is considering joining SIX? 

Take the job, join us. A job at SIX can offer you a solid horizon for growth and development. I nonetheless would also tell someone who is considering joining SIX that we need to be able to count on you and on what you can offer us as a team, your approach to solutions, your views, your energy, your enthusiasm, and your commitment. New joiners need to partake in the opportunities we offer, but we all need to learn from them and to benefit from their fresh contributions, and to then follow our common journey for growth together. This is a win-win arrangement!

What three words encapsulate your experience at SIX?

Commitment, opportunities, and an exciting future! 

Artur joined SIX in July 2020 and works as a system engineer for the Collaboration Engineering in our corporate IT department in Warsaw. Together with his team, he is responsible for our IT collaboration systems. Also he and his team have been a part of a data migration project. Not only does he like to make people happy at work when updating their software or providing technical support, but also outside of work when he is making perfumes.

What does your typical day as a System Engineer looks like right now?

I start working at 7 am. I check if we have any incidents in our ITSM system. I’m assigning to me the not assigned tickets that I am able to solve. At 9 am I join our daily team meeting. We discuss tasks for the day, and we also plan tasks for the upcoming days. We share difficult problems in the team and we will solve it together. For rest of the day, I normally work on different tasks, do research, update documentations, read and answer emails, or write codes to automate processes. The day goes by usually really fast.

What do you like most about your job?

I spend most of the day at work and while working in an international organization, I am meeting people from all over the world. Even though, we are all different we are still connected by the same company culture and we work like a second family. The atmosphere and trust in the team is very important, only together we can achieve great success. But also organizing work in such a way that each of the team can hold each other’s back if someone is on holidays or sick. This made us successful when we migrated a huge amount of data without major problems from one system to another in ten months. SIX inspires me every day and I come to work with a smile on my face.

What prompted you to pursue such an unusual hobby?

My wife has always loved perfumes, at some point we started to buy niche perfumes containing a lot of natural and unusual ingredients. We started buying ingredients, sniffing and analyzing them. Once, I smelled a scent that took me back to my childhood: I was reminded of my grandmother’s house and the smell of white Madonna Lilies. From that moment on, I started sniffing all the flowers I encountered.  I started reading books on the subject and absorbing all the knowledge from the internet. All these sensual scents made me decide to become a perfumer in my leisure time. Covid-19 slowed down the launch of our perfume business, but we are on the right track.

How do your two passions complement each other (IT & Perfumes)?

Perfume making teaches you incredible accuracy, there is no room for error. You lose expensive ingredients if you mix them incorrectly. It also teaches patience, as blending ingredients for perfume is a process, when you mix you have to wait for them to blend, what can take up to three weeks. Only after that you are able to make corrections. Creating a perfume also allows you to look at the complexity of the whole process. A perfume is not only about ingredients, it is about knowing how to combine them, how to design and produce a bottle, how to design a box, what are the costs and what are the legal regulations regarding the sale of perfumes.

It is the same with working at SIX. The work of a System Engineer teaches you that the answers to all questions are available in the books and Internet. You just have to take the time to learn and to do it, and you can do anything.

What advice would you give someone who is considering joining SIX in Poland? 
Browse our job offers and if you are interested, do not hesitate and contact our company. You will not regret it. At SIX Poland we are like a second family.

What are the three words that encapsulate your experience at SIX?

Trust. Family. Home.