Maroussia Guillemot from Anaxis is our Sales Manager of the Month

Maroussia Guillemot brings nearly 25 years of experience in sales and financial markets. She joined Anaxis at its inception and is a partner, overseeing institutional clients in French-speaking Switzerland. After completing her studies in Switzerland and at Paris-Dauphine University in France, she established herself in Geneva, where she further honed her sales expertise through her early professional experiences.

What initially sparked your interest in financial markets, and how has your perspective evolved over the years?

My interest in financial markets began with a strong academic foundation at Université Paris-Dauphine. I started in credit in Paris, then moved to wealth management in Switzerland. Later, I created my own forex trading firm, which strengthened my entrepreneurial mindset. In 2006, I joined Anaxis at its inception, helping to build it into a company specialized in corporate credit, now managing €1.1 billion.

For 25 years, I’ve worked in sales, drawn by the mix of analytical rigor and human connection. Over time, my perspective has evolved from a purely technical focus on performance to a more holistic approach. Today, I value risk management, sustainability, and long-term impact as much as returns. Financial markets are not only about creating value, but also about building a resilient future.

Who has had the biggest influence on your professional journey, and what was the most valuable lesson you learned from them?

The biggest influence on my professional journey was my first manager at the credit company where I started. He taught me that success is not only about mastering technical skills but also about building trust and lasting relationships. Later, working alongside entrepreneurs reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability, qualities that proved essential when I created my own trading firm and later joined Anaxis.

The most valuable lesson I learned is that listening and understanding clients’ needs is just as critical as delivering performance. Resilience and adaptability are the true foundations of sustainable success in financial markets, and they continue to guide my approach today. 

In your day-to-day role, which commercial or client-focused metrics do you prioritize to steer your strategy effectively?

In my day-to-day role, I focus on metrics that reflect both growth and stability. I monitor fund flows because growth is a strong indicator of both performance and client satisfaction. At Anaxis, we have doubled our assets under management in the past three years, which confirms the strength of both our strategies and our way of building relationships.

Delivering performance remains essential, but always in balance with risk management, which is at the heart of our investment philosophy. Client retention and the stability of assets under management remain equally crucial, especially during periods of market stress and volatility, when resilience becomes paramount.

Beyond numbers, I pay close attention to the quality of interactions, responsiveness, depth of dialogue, and how proactive we are in addressing concerns. These elements guide my decisions because they measure what truly matters: building partnerships that last.

From your experience, what are the core ingredients of a long-lasting client relationship in asset management?

Trust is the foundation. Transparency and consistent communication are essential to build confidence over time. Performance matters, yet clients also seek peace of mind, especially in volatile markets. That’s what we focus on at Anaxis: listening carefully and understanding priorities, while staying close to our clients.

For me, a strong relationship also means accepting that we cannot please everyone. We need to build partnerships based on shared values. Stability is the key, and common principles, such as sustainability, give depth and meaning to the relationship. Being proactive, anticipating concerns before they arise, these principles guide my daily work at Anaxis.

Are there shifts in investor behaviour that you feel are not yet fully appreciated by the industry?

One major shift is the demand for simplicity and clarity. Investors want transparent strategies they can understand, not unnecessarily complex products. That’s what we offer at Anaxis, and it resonates strongly with our clients through this focus on stability. As I said before, peace of mind matters as much as performance.

Clients today are also more sophisticated and better informed. Many manage part of their allocation themselves, but they look for specialists in areas like corporate credit, where expertise, diversification and robust, high-performing funds still make a huge difference. The industry often underestimates this duality: investors want autonomy but also rely on trusted experts for core strategies.

Finally, I believe ESG and sustainability are no longer optional. They shape long-term commitment and decisions that will have long-lasting effects on future generations and the natural world as we know it. At Anaxis, these principles are central to our investment process, yet many players still treat them as a marketing tool rather than as a genuine investment approach.

Which tech-driven capabilities do you believe will become indispensable for sales professionals in the coming years?

Mastering digital tools is indispensable as technology helps us save time, work more efficiently, and focus on high-value tasks. CRM systems, automation, and data analytics improve our day-to-day operations and allow us to anticipate client needs. Video calls enhance responsiveness, enabling real-time communication regardless of location.

But these tools do not replace the human element. Of course, it supports the process, but the essence of sales is human, and hopefully that won’t change anytime soon.  For me, the future belongs to those who combine tech-driven efficiency with authentic relationships. The best technology is still picking up the phone, booking a meeting, and meeting face to face for a real and meaningful conversation.

Looking ahead to 2026, which three themes or forces do you believe will have the strongest impact on global markets — and why?

Anaxis being specialized in corporate credit, it is through this prism that I can identify three main themes I believe will significantly influence the markets in 2026:

• Geopolitical environment: commercial tensions initiated during the Trump administration persist alongside ongoing conflicts and tensions, especially in Europe and the Middle East. These geopolitical factors contribute to market volatility, notably influencing credit spreads.

• Inflation and central bank policies: inflation dynamics and central bank interest rates remain critical parameters for corporate credit. Monetary policy decisions strongly affect funding costs, credit availability, and investors’ risk appetite. 

• Corporate fundamentals: amid uncertainty, corporate financial resilience remains the key factor. In Europe and the United States, many companies in our universe demonstrate solid credit metrics and operational strength, while emerging markets show strong signs of improvement. We expect it to stay that way.

Together, these themes will largely determine the attractiveness of our markets. A good illustration I find is how these themes have paved the way in recent years for a return of the Investment Grade segment, which today offers attractive yields combined with very high-quality companies.

What personal qualities have most contributed to your success as a sales manager?

Enthusiasm and active listening help me connect with clients, while discipline and perseverance ensure consistent follow-up and delivery. I stay focused on goals, adapt quickly to challenges, and communicate clearly. These qualities have allowed me to build trust, strengthen relationships, and achieve sustainable growth throughout my career.

Outside the office, what passions or activities give you energy and perspective?

Outside of work, I’m passionate about many sports that challenge limits. I love the mountains and the outdoors, the sense of freedom they bring keeps me energized and grounded. Being located in Switzerland gives me this unique opportunity to immerse myself in nature while fulfilling my drive for athletic performance through activities like skiing and swimming.

My family is also my foundation and greatest source of joy. And when time allows, I enjoy sharing meaningful moments with friends, because strong connections matter as much off the slopes as they do in business.