Guillaume Guéritée from Apex is our Sales Manager of the Month

Guillaume graduated with a Master of Research Risk Management in Finance / Insurance and is AMF certified. He joined Alfi Partners (a leading Third Party Marketer) in 2007 after graduation and has served as a sales director for France and Monaco since 2020, previously as senior sales manager since 2012. Since January 2023 and following the acquisition of Alfi Partners by Apex Group, Guillaume is a Partner and sales director at Apex Capital Raising.

Guillaume is an experienced business development specialist both in Liquid and non-Liquide assets having worked for a top Asset Management firm for 15 years, with a proven track record in maintaining and developing diversified portfolios of high-level European investors.

What made you decide to go into the financial sector? Did you have any other vocations?

If I didn’t join the finance industry, I would be an architect for the challenge, representing each project with its own constraints and specificities.

I finally ended up for a more classic route with a prep school and a business school and even started a Ph.D. in asset management company valuation.

It was at that time I joined a quite experienced and dynamic sales team for an internship, and had the opportunity to exchange with highly successful and high-profile managers … I felt quite lucky!

We were in April 2007, the last few months of ‘exuberance’ before the Global Financial Crisis.

Even if the immediately following period has been difficult for the industry, I found this fast and changing environment fascinating, and 15 years later, I am still keeping on learning and still impressed by some of the personalities I have had the chance to work alongside.

Could you tell me the most challenging aspects of your job and also the most positive ones?

Intense competition, pressure on fees, and consolidation of the market are considerable challenges for the asset management industry. So you need to be resilient and flexible

On the positive side, this is a chance to evolve among very smart and interesting people and keep on building strong relationships

In your opinion, what are the key drivers for successful fund distribution?

First, product quality is crucial. It's essential to offer high-performance funds with solid investment strategies and stable investment teams capable of generating consistent alpha through different market cycles.

Then, whatever the investor segment (retail, wholesale, or institutional), proximity and persistent communication play a vital role in establishing brand recognition in an extremely competitive world.

Finally, one of the most important elements remains the ability to develop strong relationships with investors where transparency and trust are essential to be successful

What is the most exciting thing you have seen in the markets since you started working in the financial sector?

Working in the financial markets is a constantly exciting adventure.  I keep on being impressed by how the markets are adaptative and stand back each time you think the boat is going to capsize;

What investment products do you believe would be more interesting in the next 5 years?

Many things can happen over 5 years, this said we clearly see some regain of interest for traditional Fixed income which might represent a good entry point at this level.

I am also convinced that the ability and flexibility to deviate from the index will be key in the next years when considering the hyperconcentration of some markets. Hence, I would not be surprised to see the comeback of active fund management.

What is your favorite thing to do when you disconnect from the markets?

Spending time with family and sport!