Can you tell me about your journey into the securities finance industry?
My route into the industry was not linear, but it has been shaped by steadily increasing exposure to capital markets through international roles. I began my career in events, which provided a strong grounding in stakeholder management, delivery under pressure, and working in highly regulated environments. While studying events management at the University of Greenwich, I focused on operational excellence and coordination across complex projects, skills that later proved highly transferable to financial markets.
Early roles within international organisations exposed me to senior decision-makers and global governance structures. Working across multiple jurisdictions, including Europe and Asia, gave me insight into how international markets operate in practice, not just in theory. Delivering conferences for financial and corporate governance professionals meant engaging closely with market participants, regulators, and subject-matter experts, which gradually deepened my understanding of capital markets dynamics.
Joining the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) marked a step change in my exposure to securities finance. Through close collaboration with members, speakers, and internal experts, I developed a practical understanding of international capital and securities markets, including market structure, regulatory developments, and the interdependencies between issuers, dealers, investors, and infrastructure providers. Being embedded in flagship industry events accelerated my learning curve and allowed me to build meaningful relationships across the market.
As a young professional, what aspects of your role or the industry do you find most exciting?
What I find most exciting is the proximity to market developments and decision making. Working closely with senior capital markets professionals provides constant exposure to evolving trends in securities finance, from market resilience and liquidity to regulatory change and innovation. Each event or initiative offers a real-time snapshot of how the market is adapting.
From a role perspective, I value the intersection between operational delivery and market insight. Supporting agenda development and speaker programmes requires understanding what matters to the market at a given moment. This has strengthened my ability to translate complex market themes into coherent narratives that resonate with a global audience.
I am also particularly motivated by initiatives aimed at early-career professionals. Supporting programmes that help junior market participants build knowledge, networks, and confidence reinforces the long-term sustainability of the capital markets ecosystem.
Many companies offer various training and development opportunities for their employees. How has your company supported your growth?
My organisation has placed strong emphasis on structured development, both in terms of professional skills and market knowledge. Company-wide training has strengthened leadership, communication, and strategic thinking, which are essential when operating in senior-facing, international environments.
Access to ICMA’s Education and Training programmes has been particularly valuable in building capital markets expertise. Exposure to primary markets, secondary markets, repo and collateral, as well as sustainable finance and digitalisation, has allowed me to contextualise my day-to-day work within the broader securities finance landscape and contribute more meaningfully to internal and external discussions.
What misconceptions about working in the financial industry have you encountered, and how do you address these challenges?
Before entering the industry, I assumed financial markets would be rigid, transactional, and dominated by technical expertise alone. In reality, relationship-building, collaboration, and communication are central to how the market functions. Securities finance, in particular, relies heavily on trust, shared standards, and ongoing dialogue.
Coming from a non-traditional background initially felt daunting, especially when engaging with senior market participants. Over time, I learned that intellectual curiosity, preparation, and a willingness to ask informed questions are highly valued. By focusing on understanding market priorities and contributing from an operational and strategic perspective, I was able to build credibility and confidence.
What advice do you have for other young professionals aspiring to pursue a career in your industry?
My advice would be to stay adaptable and actively seek exposure to the market. Capital markets reward those who are curious, prepared, and comfortable operating in fast-moving environments. You do not need to start with a purely technical background, but you do need to commit to continuous learning.
Taking advantage of training, networking opportunities, and cross-functional exposure can significantly accelerate development. Being reliable, solution-oriented, and engaged in conversations beyond your immediate role will help build long-term career momentum.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in the next five years in terms of your career goals and aspirations?
Over the next five years, I would like to continue developing at a more strategic level, combining deepened capital markets knowledge with leadership responsibility. I am particularly interested in how innovation, technology, and process optimisation can enhance how market participants engage, share information, and collaborate.
Ultimately, I see myself contributing to the design and delivery of initiatives that support market development, capacity building, and knowledge exchange across the securities finance ecosystem, ensuring that events and programmes remain aligned with the evolving needs of a global market.
Ravina Patel Bio
← Previous emerging talent
BBVA
Forging your own path
Next emerging talent →
CIBC Mellon
Applying the psychological element
-part-1.jpg)
Image: Ravina Patel 
