IFSDG: How long have you worked in Morgan
Stanley?
Graham: I have worked for Morgan Stanley
for almost 12 years; I re-located from London to Glasgow in
2008.
IFSDG: How many people work at Morgan
Stanley?
Graham: Morgan Stanley employs
approximately 55,000 people globally, operating in 43 countries.
The Glasgow Office has in excess of 1,300 employees working in
Operations, Finance, Technology and Data, Fund Services, Audit,
Corporate Services and Human Resources and has been present in the
city since 2000 - we will be celebrating our 15 year anniversary
this year.
IFSDG: What is the vision for Morgan Stanley in
Glasgow?
Graham: To continue to add value to the
businesses we support from Glasgow, whilst offering challenging and
varied career opportunities to our staff.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for you?
Graham: It is a well-used cliché, but
each and every day presents a different type of challenge partly
due to the dynamic nature of the business and partly due to the
ever-changing environment that the Financial Services sector
operates within. I am usually in the office at 7am which is partly
due to the legacy of global roles that I have previously occupied
and partly due to my long commute - I am not at my best when
sitting in traffic. The early start allows me to think and plan
ahead - typically calendars get booked between 9am and 6pm so this
is a valuable part of the day for me. As Head of Finance for
Glasgow and Co-General Manager of the Glasgow office, I will meet
with regional and global stakeholders as well as local management
to discuss performance, risk and strategy for the Finance team as
well as the wider Glasgow office.
I also represent Morgan Stanley on various external bodies - I
am a member of the Advisory Board for Career Ready (previously
Career Academies) Scotland. The Firm also actively encourages its
staff to pursue opportunities to give back to the local community
and to that end I am currently working with an organisation called
Pilotlight (alongside other Financial Services professionals) on a
project to provide support for a charity in the Glasgow area. I am
also sponsor of our Glasgow Charity Committee which works hard to
provide volunteering and fundraising opportunities for staff at a
range of local charities and organisations.
IFSDG: Why did Morgan Stanley choose to locate in
the IFSD in Glasgow?
Graham: The decision was and continues to
be based on the availability of highly qualified, talented and
energised people in the Scottish workforce. Availability of an
ongoing talent pool is fundamental to our success and we have
worked to build a strong partnership with local universities and
accounting bodies. Glasgow also sits in an advantageous time zone
to support a global business operating out of Asia, EMEA and North
America, benefiting from good transport links with London and the
rest of the world. In addition, IFSD have helped to build a strong
support framework that benefits individual businesses and the city
as a whole.
IFSDG: Three good things about working in
Glasgow?
Graham: The people are friendly, the city
is very accessible with a wide selection of facilities on your
doorstep, and the quality of life with some of the most stunning
scenery the UK has to offer only a short hop in any direction.
IFSDG: What is your biggest business achievement
to date?
Graham: Helping to build the footprint
that is Morgan Stanley Glasgow and now having the opportunity to
act as a leadership "steward" for the next phase of its growth and
development.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you ever
made?
Graham: Financial Services is very much a
people driven industry, so I would have to say the time invested in
mentoring and nurturing individual talent as well as broadening my
own personal networks throughout Scotland through various external
organisations
IFSDG: Which businessperson or company do you most
admire and why?
Graham: I admire individuals who are
passionate about their brand, inspire people to give of their best
but can still dedicate time and resource to good causes. This would
include individuals such as Steve Jobs, Richard Branson. Closer to
home, I would also nominate Ruth Porat the ex-CFO of Morgan
Stanley
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you were a
child?
Graham: Sports journalist
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away from the
office?
Graham: I like to relax with family and
friends. I also have a keen interest in sport and still manage to
actively enjoy cycling and golf - I am never too far away from the
next fundraising challenge!
IFSDG: Blackberry or I-Phone?
Graham: Blackberry for work, I-Phone for
personal
IFSDG: Suit or no suit?
Graham: Suit
IFSDG: Football or rugby?
Graham: Both. I am probably more inclined
towards rugby since arriving in Scotland, having left my football
loyalties south of the border.
IFSDG: Wine or beer?
Graham: Wine
IFSDG: Sunshine or snow?
Graham: Snow
IFSDG: and finally, what three words sum you
up?
Graham: Hardworking, approachable,
positive