Paul
Job title
Head of Equity Capital Markets
Company and location
BNP Paribas, Japan
Industry sector
Investment banking
Background
BA in French, University of Liverpool
In previous job, speaking languages opened up opportunities to travel overseas
Qualified as an accountant
What does your job involve?
Developing the equity capital markets business of a French bank in Japan. I am responsible for liaising with the Paris Head Office and for marketing to Japanese clients. I use both French and Japanese on a daily basis with clients and colleagues – Japanese mainly in terms of speaking and listening, in French I have to read and write as well as converse.
How vital are languages?
Japanese is a pre-requisite for this job and it certainly helps to speak French when liaising with many of my colleagues. In a country like Japan business is done in the local language and it would be impossible to make real progress without speaking Japanese. The same could be said of France, although French people are slightly less reluctant to use English. English remains the international business language, even in a French bank, but you need languages to manage local cultural sensitivities.
How has past experience helped?
Having lived and worked in France and Japan before I was well aware of the culture differences that need to be respected. I think this has made my time with the bank and in Japan more rewarding in that I have been able to develop deeper relationships with clients and colleagues.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
In all seriousness, speaking foreign languages on a daily basis and living abroad!
Any tips?
It must be remembered that in this profession, languages are a secondary skill and specialist financial knowledge and experience are also key to success.