60 Seconds With... Z/Yen's Michael Mainelli

We all know what they are experts on, but we want to know what makes our speakers tick. In this series, we sit down with some of our key speakers for 60 seconds to find out a bit more about them before they take to the stage at FundForum International in Berlin, 6-8 June 2016.

60 Seconds with...

Michael Mainelli, Executive Chairman, Z/Yen

1. What is your personal philosophy?

Personal philosophies are personal, but I’d summarise mine in three Latin expressions, “tempus fugit” – time is our most precious resource; “carpe diem” – wherever you go there you are; and “sumus unus” – everything is connected.

2. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?

Deep ocean researcher.

3. Disruption is always on the tip of everyone’s tongue. In your opinion, what is going to be the ultimate game-changer for the finance industry?

Jobs.  Finance seems to be moving from inter-firm competition to a realisation that finance ought to be one of the most automated sectors.  This realisation creates a great tension between entrenched practices and innovation, between increased productivity and self-interest.

4. What's your favourite thing about Berlin?

My god-daughter, Anna.

5. What are you most looking forward to at Fund Forum 2016?

I’m constantly asking “when would we know our financial system is working?”, so I will welcome new thinking that challenges my views on the future of finance.

Michael Mainelli will be appearing in the FutureFinance Forum at FundForum International, taking place in Berlin, 6-8 June 2016.