Jasmine is a Strategic Partnerships Director within M&G Investments’ UK Wholesale business, a role she assumed in August 2021. Jasmine joined the Investment industry in 2009, and before her career with M&G, worked as a Business Development Manager for Macquarie, Man Group, and later, Lonsec Research. Much of this time was spent in Australia, having moved there with Macquarie Bank in 2011. Much of her time was spent covering the regions of NSW and WA. Before joining the Investment industry, Jasmine worked as a Sales Executive for the Royal Bank of Scotland group, this was her first ‘industry role’ from 2004 - 2009. Jasmine holds the CII in Financial Planning, RG146 (Australia) in Securities, Derivatives and Options from Kaplan Professional, and is currently studying Business Strategy with Cambridge University.

Why is corporate culture becoming more important as a strategic focus?

Looking at this from a commercial perspective, when a business has a strong corporate culture at its core, it thrives, and who wouldn’t want a thriving business.

The asset management industry and corporates overall have woken up to realise that when employees have a healthy work-life balance, and feel valued, it has a direct impact on employee engagement and retention. Performance and productivity surges, and everyone feels motivated. This in turn becomes systemic, as happy employees generally go hand in hand with happy clients, and happy clients often equate to a strong corporate brand and increased profitability.

Importantly, from a ‘human’ perspective, why wouldn’t you want content, healthy employees!

In your view, why is it important to set a higher standard of stewardship and behaviour within the investment industry?

In its most basic form, Stewardship means to have ‘responsibility’. We all ‘show up’ for work and are responsible for bringing a version of ourselves into the office each day. That ‘version’ whatever it may be, has a direct impact on our colleagues, peers, clients, profitability – you name it. Collectively, we are stewards of the investment industry; we are stewards of people’s pensions they’ve grafted over a lifetime for, future home deposits, education fees for children. We’re closer to and impact ‘real life’ situations more often than we remember. It’s ‘real world’, and it’s important we set high standards, and hold ourselves accountable.

Why did you decide to sit on the ACT Global Leadership Council and what does it mean to you personally?

I was chuffed when Bev asked to sit on the ACT Global Leadership Council. This role enables me to speak out a little louder, encourage a little more, and to influence for better. The difference Bev, Mandy, and the team at City Hive have already made in such a short space of time is remarkable. I’m honored to walk alongside them in making our industry a better place for everyone.