The Art of Investment Banking: Strategies for Success with Maria Watts, Managing Director & Co-Head of Global Consumer Investment Banking at Baird

What happens when everything you’ve built - your career, reputation and future plans - can suddenly feel like it has been crushed? In this episode, Brian Jones, CEO and Co-Founder at BankCap Partners and former Co-President of Archegos Capital, an experienced investment banking and investment leader, reflects on his career, the Archegos collapse, rebuilding after a major setback and what difficult experiences can reveal about leadership. We explore: • The impact of reputational damage and what it means to rebuild. • Why success can be one of the most dangerous seasons in a leader’s life. • Money, generosity and the “stabilisers” that keep leaders grounded. • Why vulnerability and learning from your scars can become leadership assets. • The importance of intentionality in career, family and relationships. • Why Brian left investment banking at 36 - and what happened next. • What it means to “stay in the arena” through difficult seasons.• Why service, relationships and personal fulfilment matter beyond financial success. •“Fire reveals what comfort conceals” - and what Brian learned from going through the fire. Brian also shares practical lessons from more than three decades in finance, including building relationships early, navigating uncertainty and taking the next step when the path ahead isn't clear. Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/ Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/) Guest: Brian Jones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjones214/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjones214/) Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/) If you’re thinking about your next step towards MD → join the waiting list for the IBLC Inner Circle 🔗 https://ibleadersclub.com/inner-circle-community

What separates the investment bankers who win deals from those who win trust? In this episode, Simon Mordant, Vice Chairman at Luminis Partners, reflects on more than four decades in investment banking, building independent advisory businesses and working alongside CEOs and boards. We explore: • Why great bankers listen more than they talk. • How to build trusted, long-term client relationships. • Making the transition from execution to origination. • Building a successful and durable boutique advisory firm. • Hiring, developing and retaining entrepreneurial talent. • Why 200-page pitch books can get in the way of effective client conversations. Simon also shares practical insights on networking, meritocracy, leadership, entrepreneurship and what it takes to leave the security of a major banking brand and build your own advisory business. Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/ Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/) Guest: Simon Mordant (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cav-simon-mordant-ao-738b4710/) Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/) If you’re thinking about your next step towards MD → join the waiting list for the IBLC Inner Circle 🔗https://ibleadersclub.com/inner-circle-community

What do private equity firms really look for in an investment banking partner, and why do some bankers become trusted advisors while others remain transactional? In this episode, Marc Jourlait, Lead Operating Partner at The Riverside Company, shares a rare behind-the-scenes perspective from the client side of private equity. Having led global businesses at Apple, HP, Bose, Kodak and other international companies before becoming a CEO, Chairman, and Operating Partner, Marc now works alongside portfolio company CEOs to drive operational transformation and long-term value creation. His unique experience gives investment bankers an inside look at what private equity firms truly value throughout the investment lifecycle. We explore: • Why the best investment bankers think like long-term partners - not transaction advisors. • What private equity firms really expect from investment banking relationships. • How operating partners translate investment theses into value creation plans. • Why industry expertise and specialisation are becoming essential in today's M&A market. He also shares powerful insights on: • The role of operating partners in private equity and how they work alongside deal teams. • Why CEOs and CFOs often struggle after private equity acquisitions. • The importance of "clock speed" during a five-year investment cycle, and why every month matters. • Building high-performance cultures through employee ownership and the Ownership Works initiative. Including practical lessons on private equity, investment banking, value creation, leadership, operating excellence, culture, and building trusted client relationships. If you're an investment banker, M&A advisor, private equity professional, corporate finance executive, or aspiring finance leader looking to strengthen client relationships, understand how private equity firms think, and create greater long-term value, this conversation is packed with actionable insights from one of the industry's leading operating partners. Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/ Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/) Guest: Marc Jourlait (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcjourlait/) Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)

What does it take to create one of the most successful investment banking boutiques in Central & Eastern Europe, and develop an entirely new buyer universe along the way? In this episode, Gábor Szendrői, Co-founder and Co-managing partner at Concorde MB Partners - IMAP Hungary, shares how he established a market-leading advisory firm through long-term thinking, entrepreneurial leadership, and innovative deal origination. After a decade at McKinsey and an early career in investment banking, he returned to Hungary to launch a boutiqueand pioneer an innovative Management Buy-In (MBI) model. We explore: • Why building relationships, not just closing deals, is the foundation of successful origination. • How the Management Buy-In (MBI) model creates an entirely new buyer universe. • Why investment bankers should think long-term when building their careers and businesses. • How changing buyer behaviour reshaped the mid-market M&A landscape across Central & Eastern Europe. He also shares powerful insights on: • Transitioning from execution to origination and developing a sustainable deal pipeline. • Building a network of thousands of executives through consistent, long-term relationship building. • Creating a differentiated brand through thought leadership, publications, and client engagement. • Why psychology, trust, and human relationships remain at the heart of successful dealmaking, even in the age of AI. Including lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, business development, networking, and building a sustainable competitive advantage in investment banking. If you're an investment banker, M&A advisor, private equity professional, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader looking to strengthen your origination skills and accelerate your career, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of Europe's most innovative boutique investment banking leaders. Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/ Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/) Guest: Gábor Szendrői (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabor-szendroi-a74157/) Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/) Note: Concorde MB Partners – IMAP Hungary (https://www.imap.com/en)

What does it take to rise from managing risk during the global financial crisis to leading one of the world's most dynamic investment banking platforms across EMEA? In this episode, Evie Vanezi, CEO at Jefferies, shares the leadership lessons, career decisions, and mindset shifts that helped shape her journey from risk management to the C-suite. From navigating financial crises and managing uncertainty to driving growth across Europe and the Middle East, Evie offers a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and building high-performing teams in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. We explore: • Why risk management is a strategic advantage, not just a control function • The lessons the global financial crisis taught about leadership, resilience, and opportunity • How public markets are evolving and what companies need to succeed in today's environment • The key drivers behind renewed activity in European capital markets • What it takes to build and scale an investment banking franchise across diverse regions and cultures Evie also shares powerful insights on: • Building trust across teams, clients, and cultures • Why cultural intelligence is essential for success in EMEA • Creating inclusive, high-performing environments through community and mentorship • The importance of curiosity, adaptability, and life long learning Including lessons on relationship-building, career development, inclusion, and the importance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination. If you're an aspiring investment banker, business leader, or professional looking to strengthen your leadership skills, and accelerate your career growth, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of the industry's most respected leaders. Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/ Host: Peter Nieberg ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/ ) Guest: Evie Vanezi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-vanezi-47a62a12/ ) Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/) Note 1: This video was recorded pre the US-Israel-Iran war. Note 2: Jefferies (https://www.jefferies.com/) is one of the world’s leading full-service investment banking and capital markets firms.