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“Invest in your people. Systems are great, but without skilled individuals, they’re meaningless.” – Saadia Mujeeb
In this CPD episode of RiskMasters, host Julien Haye welcomes Saadia Mujeeb, a risk management veteran with over 25 years of experience across global financial institutions. From her early days at Barclays Capital to her leadership role at Macquarie Bank Europe, Saadia’s journey through the evolving landscape of risk management provides deep insights into what it takes to thrive in an ever-changing industry. She shares her strategies for resilience, the importance of continuous education, and her views on how emerging challenges like AI and geopolitical risks are reshaping the future of risk management.
In this edition of RiskMasters, you will learn:
A Career of Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Saadia reflects on her extensive experience in risk management, recounting her work at major institutions during pivotal moments in the financial markets, including the Global Financial Crisis and the post-Brexit energy crisis. She discusses the importance of staying agile and keeping up with market changes.
The Challenge of Keeping Pace with Markets: Saadia emphasises how risk professionals must continuously educate themselves to stay ahead. As markets evolve, risk managers need to research new trading strategies and understand various risk types, from credit to market and operational risk, making them the linchpins of organisational insight.
Building Resilience Amidst Crises: With a career shaped by handling crises, Saadia highlights the need for preparedness, stress testing, and the ability to react quickly. She advocates for scenario planning and the importance of sharing knowledge across teams to build organizational resilience.
Emerging Challenges in Risk Management: Looking to the future, Saadia discusses the growing importance of AI and digital proficiency in risk management. While technology offers vast opportunities, she underscores the need for critical thinking and scepticism, particularly when relying on AI-generated outputs. Additionally, she points out the risks of complacency in the face of geopolitical and cyber threats, stressing the need for constant vigilance.
More about Saadia Mujeeb:
Saadia is an accomplished risk management professional, having held senior roles at global financial institutions, including Barclays Capital, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Macquarie Bank. With a career spanning multiple markets and regions, Saadia brings a wealth of experience in managing risk across diverse portfolios, including hedge funds, prime brokerage, and asset management.
Connect with Saadia on LinkedIn to explore more on risk management and leadership in the financial services industry.
Tune in to this episode for an in-depth discussion on building resilience, the importance of continuous learning, and the emerging challenges that risk managers must navigate in today’s complex market environments.
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Find out more about Saadia Mujeeb:https://www.linkedin.com/in/saadia-mujeeb-242157/
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Summary of the interview with Saadia Mujeeb on RiskMasters
"Staying ahead in risk management is about investing in yourself and your team." – Saadia Mujeeb
In this episode of the RiskMasters podcast, host Julien Haye engages with Saadia Mujeeb, a risk management expert who has spent over two decades navigating the dynamic world of financial markets. Saadia shares her remarkable career journey, highlighting the lessons learned from her time at Barclays Capital, Bank of America, and Macquarie Bank during significant market events like the Global Financial Crisis and the Brexit energy crisis.
A Career Built on Adaptation and Continuous Learning
Saadia reflects on how the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of financial markets demanded a constant commitment to learning and adaptability. Starting in Barclays’ graduate program, she quickly immersed herself in the world of credit and hedge fund risk management. Her ability to thrive in this dynamic field is tied to her dedication to staying informed about new trading strategies, evolving regulatory frameworks, and emerging risks.
The Importance of Holistic Risk Management
Throughout her career, Saadia emphasised the value of a holistic view of risk. Risk managers, she says, must understand how different risk types – credit, market, operational, and liquidity – intersect. This broad perspective not only helps them make informed decisions but also positions them as key advisors within their firms, offering insights that can mitigate risks and seize opportunities.
Managing Resilience Through Uncertainty
One of Saadia’s core messages is the importance of resilience. Drawing on her experiences handling crises, she shares how firms can prepare for unexpected events by developing robust stress testing and scenario analysis frameworks. Her advice: Don’t wait until the crisis hits—practice, prepare, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders, from clients to regulators.
Emerging Trends: AI, Digital Proficiency, and Geopolitical Risks
Looking ahead, Saadia discusses the challenges risk managers face in today’s market. She points to the growing reliance on AI and technology, highlighting the need for critical evaluation of AI-driven outputs. Additionally, she expresses concerns about complacency in the face of geopolitical risks and cyber threats, urging risk professionals to remain vigilant and proactive.
Actionable Takeaways from the Episode
Invest in Continuous Learning: Risk management is a field that demands constant education and upskilling. Saadia recommends investing in both personal education and training teams to ensure they can handle emerging risks.
Build Resilience Through Practice: Firms should regularly conduct stress testing and scenario analysis to prepare for crises. Saadia stresses the importance of sharing knowledge across teams to foster a culture of resilience.
Embrace Technology, But Stay Critical: While AI and digital tools are transforming the industry, risk managers must not rely solely on technology. Saadia emphasises the need for critical thinking and validation of AI-generated data.
Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Risk Management
Saadia Mujeeb’s career offers a powerful example of how continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience are key to thriving in risk management. Her insights on the importance of integrating technology, fostering team growth, and preparing for emerging challenges provide valuable guidance for professionals looking to succeed in this complex field.
This episode of RiskMasters is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving role of risk managers in today’s rapidly changing market landscape.
FAQ: Insights from Saadia Mujeeb on Resilience and Risk Management
1. What are the key skills required for success in risk management?Saadia emphasises the importance of continuous education and staying informed about market developments. Risk professionals need a solid understanding of credit, market, operational, and liquidity risks, as well as strong stakeholder management skills. Being able to adapt to new regulations and technological advancements, such as AI, is crucial for staying ahead in the field.
2. How can organisations build resilience in risk management?Building resilience requires preparation and practice. Saadia advises firms to implement regular stress testing and scenario analysis to anticipate crises before they occur. Communication is also key ensuring that all stakeholders, from internal teams to external clients and regulators, are informed and prepared for uncertain events.
3. What role does AI play in the future of risk management?AI is becoming an integral part of risk management, offering advanced data analytics and predictive capabilities. However, Saadia warns that risk professionals must critically evaluate AI outputs and ensure they align with real-world scenarios. It’s about balancing technology with human judgment to ensure robust decision-making.
4. How do geopolitical risks and cyber threats impact risk management?Saadia points out that while markets may not always reflect geopolitical stress, complacency is dangerous. Cyber threats remain an unpredictable risk. Firms must invest in system security, conduct regular testing, and maintain vigilance to stay ahead of these emerging risks.
5. How can firms prepare for unpredictable risks?Preparation comes through a combination of scenario planning, stress testing, and real-time monitoring. Saadia recommends that organisations develop playbooks for crisis management, share these plans across all levels of the business, and foster a culture of resilience by continuously practicing and refining these strategies.
6. What advice does Saadia offer for emerging risk leaders?Saadia encourages emerging risk leaders to choose a specific area of expertise that they want to be known for, whether it’s derivatives, credit risk, or another domain. Investing in personal education and gaining deep technical knowledge in one area will build credibility and open doors to broader leadership roles.