[ B I G I N T E R V I E W | J A D E B E C K M A N N ]
leverage technology and existing tools, and also how we can innovate further as a team or use automation in our trading process. Outside of my day-today trading, I’ m also excited to participate in Pictet AM’ s annual Innovation Challenge where colleagues globally can pitch ideas on how we can use technology to improve efficiency, productivity or sustainability at Pictet.
What’ s the best advice you’ ve been given, or could give, for being effective on the desk? The best advice I’ ve been given, and would pass on to others, is to start by gaining a solid understanding of the basics: market structure, order characteristics, and execution strategies. From there, you can build a process that can be replicated, refined, and scaled as responsibilities grow. A consistent and thorough approach is key, as it allows you to handle many orders with varying characteristics, and importantly, can be enhanced over time to see a direct improvement to execution performance.
At Pictet AM, I’ ve also been encouraged to stay curious: to ask questions and seize every learning opportunity. On a trading desk, experienced traders often make decisions quickly, and it’ s not always obvious why they choose to work an order in a particular way. I quickly realised asking the‘ why’ and‘ how’ is the fastest way to learn. Understanding not just the mechanics of trading but also the reasoning behind decisions is critical in a high-stakes environment.
Building on this curiosity,
I’ ve embraced every chance to learn. My team has encouraged me to take exams, attend industry events and participate in teach-in sessions with brokers. These opportunities have deepened my market knowledge, expanded my network, and allowed me to learn from others’ experiences, all of which directly contribute to my effectiveness on the desk.
How do you see the make-up of the desk evolving over the next five to 10 years? Over the next five to 10 years, I see equity trading desks and the finance industry as a whole, embracing greater diversity. One area I’ m particularly passionate about is seeing more women enter finance and trading roles.
Trading has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but this is now changing, and we are seeing even more women step into these roles across the industry- it’ s about being bold, taking risks and
“ This is a fast-paced career where you can make a real impact, and your perspective matters.”
trusting your instincts. It is also important to seek out companies, such as Pictet AM, that value diversity, recognise talent and are willing to invest in your growth. I am grateful to my manager and teammates at Pictet AM for giving the training and support that has helped me to build strong foundations as a trader. I’ ve also enjoyed attending events and being part of initiatives like the Pictet Women’ s Network, which fosters collaboration, mentorship, and professional development for women across the firm.
Women in STEM( Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) can bring a unique mix of fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo, which I think is exactly what modern trading desks need. It’ s not just about diversity for the sake of it, it’ s about building stronger, more innovative teams that can adapt and grow faster. If I could give advice to women considering trading, it would be this: be bold and take the leap. This is a fast-paced career where you can make a real impact, and your perspective matters. I’ m excited to see more women joining me in trading and I’ m proud to be a part of this shift.
46 // TheTRADE // Q1 2025