EN PL

Why we’re hopeful about 2023 and how we want to remember 2022

16th December 2022

We asked our teams about their hopes and expectations for 2023 and what surprised them in 2022. Here’s what they’ve said.

Olena Solska, Senior Depositary, Luxembourg office

Having Ukrainian roots, my main wish is for the war to end.

On the business side, 2022 was the year of Q Securities’ initiation in Luxembourg. We have done a lot of grounding work and already see positive traction from the market.

I am confident that 2023 will be the year we take the business to the next level, onboarding and servicing many new clients. Such a rapidly changing environment creates many opportunities for self-development and professional growth.

January 2022 started positively for me with a promotion. Thanks to the quickly growing business, I learned a lot about operations and business development, which I would be keen to continue in 2023. The team tripled in size, and I am very enthusiastic about the business support model we established in Poland, which allows scalability and addresses the needs of a rapidly changing regulatory environment. That’s one of the reasons I am willing to learn basic Polish in 2023 and pass the A2 exam.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the year was also marked by tragic events in Ukraine. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised and very proud of how Q Securities participated in Ukrainian–Luxembourgish business events, fundraising and donating to various charitable organisations.

 

Gosia Skalska-Buraczewska, Head of Compliance, Warsaw office

The only constant in life is change. This sentence attributed to Heraclitus of Ephesus today is more relevant than ever.

The situation in the broadly understood financial market was and still is surprising. This makes it necessary to modify the current approach to the services provided and look for new ways to support customers while maintaining the highest diligence.

So what can you expect in the coming 2023? As the philosopher mentioned above said: changes. I hope the change would, first of all, mean the end of the armed conflict and, secondly, curbing inflation that bothers businesses and individuals alike.

Another essential change expected in the coming year is a comprehensive package of regulatory changes to boost capital market development. Everyone in the team closely follows the work progress in this area on an ongoing basis.

I also expect further dynamic growth of cyber services. But the rapid development of blockchain technology and cloud-based financial services, unfortunately, brings along the rise in cyber threats. Thanks to digital services, our lives are easier, but the price we pay for these improvements cannot be that of accepting cyber criminality.

I always try to be open to changes and notice their positive effects, despite the effort that often has to be made along the way. In the coming year, I would like to not only improve my skills but also gain new ones – one of my plans is to start learning the Polish sign language so that I can communicate efficiently in this way. Social inclusion is a topic dear to me, so I’d like to contribute to reducing barriers.

 

Marlena Demiańska-Plewa, Head of Depositary, Warsaw office

I find deep meaning in a quote from the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall that one of my former bosses had in his office:

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

If, in 2023, I run such a marathon while enjoying it, it will mean I used each day as well as possible. I’m optimistic about what’s ahead, after 2022 being full of business and organization challenges in the depositary department I head. We’ve maintained a high service quality as a team while increasing the portfolio. I’m nicely surprised with the market recognition Q Securities is receiving, and its growing brand awareness. I’m sure 2023 will bring even more new opportunities to provide quality service to funds in many European markets.

 

Herman Artsimenia, Issuance Agent Manager, Warsaw office

I hope 2023 will provide us with all the strength to find balance in the changing world, both personally and professionally. This year has been full of unexpected challenges, which – after a demanding pandemic period – once again tested our mental preparation and endurance to a wide range of stimuli.

Next year will be a year in which we will be implementing new regulations in the financial markets, in particular next regulatory steps addressing investor sustainability factors and preferences. The world is accelerating, and so are social and economic challenges affecting us all. This can result in adverse efficiency outcomes for the whole market, which must be addressed to ensure long-term competitiveness. Nevertheless, I believe that as individuals and a community, we are up to the task.

Although 2022 was a period of troubling global events, I am impressed by the ability of people to come as one for the sake of achieving a common goal. We have made all the necessary efforts to meet the challenges that this year has brought, and I am proud that Q Securities is among market leaders for issuance agent services, the team I proudly represent. Diligence and professionalism are our essential qualities, not nice-to-haves luxuries.

 

Anna Kwiatkowska, Brokerage Department Manager, Warsaw office

Considering the current macroeconomic environment, 2022 has been a very difficult year. The effects of the pandemic are still being felt, while further concerns about the effects of the war in Ukraine are growing. But despite the difficult market conditions and some considerable sell-offs throughout 2022, investor activity is again picking up, with more capital flows into investment funds and clients opening up to investment opportunities. Investors are looking for new solutions, so we’re introducing new products.

In this challenging year, it was heart-warming to see people’s openness to welcome Ukrainians and organizing aid on such a large scale. Commitment to helping the victims of the war was evident at every step. Once again, as a society, we have shown that we can unite on important issues and be above political and ideological divisions.

In 2023, I wish, above all, the geopolitical situation in the world stabilises. A predictable macroeconomic environment and a stable legal system will allow everyone to build a long-term strategy for developing their business.

One wish for a genie? Finding the proverbial golden mean to curbing the high inflation.

 

Grzegorz Cieślik, Conducting Officer, Luxembourg office

It’s almost a year since I joined Q Securities, where I have met some fantastic people with whom I enjoy working and supporting each other, while ensuring business growth.

I expect Q Securities to continue its excellent growth track record and forge additional rewarding relationships with partners. If in 2023 we become the first choice Depositary for AIFs, it will be a wish come true.

On a personal note, despite the common saying that hope dies last, I hope that Western democratic values will prevail over the willingness of various dictatorships to depreciate them constantly. Like everyone around, I’m hoping for the geopolitical situation to normalise. After the challenging pandemic years, and now with the war in Ukraine, we all long for stability and predictability.

 

DISCLAIMER
The presented material was developed by Q Securities S.A. for informational and promotional purposes only, with the assumption that its recipient will also use it only for this purpose. It cannot be treated as an offer or recommendation to conclude any transactions, legal or tax advice, it does not constitute a service referred to in Art. 69 sec. 2 point 5) and sec. 4 point 6) of the Act on Trading in Financial Instruments. The investor uses the information contained in this material at his own risk and responsibility.
When preparing this material, Q Securities S.A. acted with due diligence and reliability and is not responsible for any actions or omissions made on the basis of the information contained in this material or for damages incurred as a result of these actions, omissions or investment decisions. This material does not constitute the basis for the conclusion of any contract or the creation of any obligation on the part of Q Securities S.A.