Julia Akhmedova, Deputy Area Manager for Emerging Markets, Sweden

Julia Akhmedova's plan was to work at an accounting firm. Today she’s happy she didn’t. In her job as Deputy Area Manager, she is able to take advantage of her interest in other countries and cultures as well as her Russian background.

What is your educational background?
I was a student in the economics programme at Lund University, with a major in accounting.

Why did you start working at Swedbank?
I was an accounting student and intended to work at an accounting firm. But when I wrote my master's thesis I got a job at Global Payments at Swedbank. Then I was promoted within the bank and started at Emerging Markets. I’m really glad I made the choice I did.

What does your job entail?
I work as Deputy Area Manager for Emerging Markets, which is responsible for the bank’s business in developing countries. The markets we work with are Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. I primarily work with Russia and the other CIS countries. My main tasks are managing inquiries from banks and companies regarding business finance, determining prices and following up deals and analysing market developments. My job involves a lot of contact with customers and banks and you need to have a large contact network to be able to help customers.

Why did you apply for this position?
The job seemed exciting and fit well with my background. I was born and grew up in Russia, which is an advantage when it comes to language and understanding of how things work in Russia and the CIS countries.

What is the best part of your job?
It’s a constantly changing job where one day doesn’t look anything like another. You grow and learn new things all the time. You come into contact with different people, from private individuals and smaller companies to large foreign banks. I also like that there is a clear focus on business and business thinking, which provides motivation for the day-to-day work and means that you see concrete results. Having great colleagues and being able to travel a lot makes the whole thing even better!

What are you most proud of so far with your career at Swedbank?
I am glad that I have an interesting and variable job. In addition, it’s fun to be a part of, and contribute to, Swedbank’s establishment and expansion eastwards.

What are your future career plans?
I am still quite new in the department and want to learn as much as possible to have a strong foundation. But at some point in the future I’d welcome the chance to work abroad and gain more international experience.

How do you relax after work?
I meet friends, work out, shop…

Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to work in your department?
It’s important to be able to speak additional languages besides just English and have international experience. At the same time, it’s good to be interested in other countries and cultures and be curious and want to learn new things.