Spotlight on Executive Search with Sarju Morjaria

Posting date: 18 July 2024

Today, our spotlight interview is with our Executive Search Director, Sarju Morjaria, about topics from trends in the Financial Services sector, relocating to Switzerland & diversity.

Sarju joined Swisslinx over a decade ago with a legal background and now leads the Executive Search team, managing a diverse portfolio of clients seeking top senior talent.


JOURNEY TO SWISSLINX?

 

After working in London for a PR firm, I moved to Zurich for personal reasons. I interviewed with Swisslinx and immediately knew these were the people I wanted to work with. A strong (predominantly) female team and one that was able to find a nervous response to “Why do you want to work here?” funny (because I live close by) made it clear that this was the place for me.

 

MY TEAM’S ROLE AT SWISSLINX?

 

Executive and professional search across Financial Services, focusing on Alternative Investments (Family Office, Hedge Funds, Digital Assets, Private Equity). Research is at the heart of our work, and we dedicate a lot of time to building on our networks in this space.

 

WHY SWITZERLAND?

 

In addition to the abundance of opportunity and competing with other hubs like London, New York, etc., the education system here allows for many paths, whether you choose to pursue a higher education or not. You can work your way through the ranks from a young age if you choose an apprenticeship path, and I think this is pivotal in the success of so many here.

 

TECHNOLOGY IN SEARCH?

 

We could talk at length about our search processes. Still, when we closely examine the sources of our senior/executive placements, we find that many of these candidates were individuals we spoke to 10 years ago for a senior role. They have since become executives; we have maintained communication over the years. They have developed a liking for our company and trust us to find them the right role.

 

TRENDS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES?

 

The representation of women on the executive committees of SMI-listed companies has been stagnant despite significant progress in recent years. Women are leaving management boards much earlier than their male counterparts. This could be due to increased business focus on core functions in the current market. There is an increasing focus on sustainability in business, with 95% of SMI companies linking remuneration to ESG targets.

 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?


Diversity and inclusion are central to us, mirrored in our internal 70% female workforce. We actively source diverse candidates, mitigate bias, and promote inclusive interviews. We see positive changes in the industry, with clients increasingly prioritising diverse leadership teams.

 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION?

 

Diversity and inclusion are central to us, mirrored in our internal 70% female workforce. We actively source diverse candidates, mitigate bias, and promote inclusive interviews. We see positive changes in the industry, with clients increasingly prioritising diverse leadership teams.

We believe in keeping things simple. When recruiting at the C-suite level, it's all about the connections you have and the relationships you've built. with them.

 

TRENDS IN FS ?

 

The pandemic reshuffled what companies value in CEOs. They seek leaders who can navigate disruption, prioritise employees, embrace digital change, and champion sustainability. This leads to a quicker turnover of CEOs and a more diverse pool of candidates.

 

RELOCATING TO SWITZERLAND ?

 

Networking allows you to meet people you might never otherwise encounter. Switzerland's small size means you're likely to come across a diverse array of influential individuals across many industries. Enjoy your time in Switzerland, it's beautiful.


Let Swisslinx assist with your recruitment strategy


At Swisslinx, we have a highly experienced team of consultants who have a deep understanding of the different recruitment markets, such as financial services, digital and technology, and health and life sciences.


We’re a Swiss market leader in recruitment and we offer a truly personalised service to our clients and candidates. 


We have an outstanding track record in talent acquisition across the globe and we always strived to achieve the highest standards of excellence. 


For those seeking to enhance their team with exceptional talent, reach out to us today.

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