Celebrating our long-serving employees: Guenther Heil
Guenther Heil, Market Services Senior Specialist, Luxembourg, reflects on his 17-year career at Schroders.
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Delivering for our clients as an active investment manager depends on our ability to attract and retain outstanding employees. To maintain our position as an employer of choice we place a premium on supporting their development and career aspirations.
Over the past five years, we have maintained an impressive retention rate of 96% for our high-performing colleagues. In fact, 15% of our workforce have been with us for more than 15 years – and we think that’s something to celebrate!
We decided to delve into the remarkable journeys of our long-serving colleagues to find out more about their experiences, memorable moments and what’s made them choose to stay.
This time we’re with Guenther Heil in Luxembourg, talking positive cultures, motivation and mentoring.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen within the company since you’ve joined?
There has been a lot of positive change during my time at Schroders – for example, the flexible working policy, changes to parental leave, availability of mindfulness training. Change and communication has become much more efficient which I see as another positive.
We’ve moved away from printing documents, a positive contribution to resource protection and the environment.
What contributes to the positive culture in your team?
Although we are a diverse team of 12 in Market Services with different interests, ages and more than 10 nationalities, we all get along very well and there is a very inclusive and respectful atmosphere. We all meet frequently for lunches and occasionally meet for leisure activities like bowling, or geocaching. We even have a common playlist on Spotify with songs from our respective countries!
What motivates you to continue contributing your best work?
The good working atmosphere is a central driver but also being respected by colleagues and the feeling of being needed, and a super participatory leadership.
How do you continue to increase/update your skills?
With a growing work volume, the use of modern technology and AI becomes more important. I discover tools that make my life easier and regularly attend training. I use Genie, our in-house AI tool, for translations and also for the creation of minutes based on recorded meetings. It is also very useful when researching new topics.
Do you mentor any junior colleagues?
More junior colleagues often leverage on my experience. I’ve found that sharing skills and knowledge helps create a supportive work environment which then enhances teamwork, and boosts team morale.
What’s your plan B?
There is an alternative cultural centre in Trier (a town in Germany close to the Luxembourg border where I live) with cinema, theatre and musical programmes. I would love to be the programme director there.
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