David Stafford was appointed Director and Chief Executive Officer of ALD Re Limited in February 2012, a subsidiary of ALD Automotive, the provider of vehicle fleet leasing and fleet management solutions, ultimately owned by Societe Generale. He is responsible for implementing Board strategy and managing day-to-day operations. ALD Re provides reinsurance protection for third party motor liability across 23 countries and Stafford says one of the challenges is dealing with cultural differences with his remit spreading from Portugal in the west to Russia in the east.

Anthony Linehan, B.A., M.A.,is head of fixed interest, portfolio risk and management, and director at KBC Asset Management. He says that the primary skill required to be a fund manager is an analytical mind one which can analyse a lot of data, get to the key points, or drivers, be this in regard to a company or a country/economy. An abiding interest in the world around you is also an essential attribute.