Reflecting on the past and future with David Connor
In this interview with David Connor, Managing Director of North America, we explore his perspectives on InvestSuite. As we step into the new year, we reflect on the past and look ahead to the future.
InvestSuite was not just a career move for me
Choosing InvestSuite was not just a career move for me; it was a commitment to their vision and mission. We want to democratise wealth management and increase financial literacy. The overarching mission of InvestSuite is to allow financial institutions to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Our suite of solutions, whether it's our Robo Advisor, Self Investor, Portfolio Optimizer or our intriguing StoryTeller. It all converges towards a singular goal - staying ahead of the curve. Having spent three decades in this industry, InvestSuite stands out as a trailblazer, focused on ensuring that individuals comprehend the 'why' behind their investments.
My experience with the company culture has been nothing short of fantastic. Despite working remotely only, the sense of unity is palpable. Everyone shares a common mission. The belief in what we're doing is not just a job requirement; it defines the very culture of InvestSuite.
Upon joining, the size of the company was a pleasant surprise. What I initially perceived as a small company in Belgium, was in fact an organisation with a fairly large, international team. Beyond the numbers, what truly stands out is the collaborative spirit. Teams seamlessly work together – product teams aligning with sales, sales collaborating with marketing. Everybody seems to have the ability to ship in and work together.
The most unique part about working at InvestSuite.
Being part of something that no one else is doing – our StoryTeller solution. This innovative approach revolutionizes investment communications through automating and scaling the ancient art of storytelling. It brings unparallelled insights, putting a smile on people's faces via its engaging and personalized content. The feeling of contributing to this adds an extraordinary dimension to the everyday work experience.
But working here doesn’t come without challenges. For me, there are two significant challenges. The first one is being a European company entering the US market. The second one is that in the fintech industry, especially wealth management, advisors have so many options. So the challenge is getting through with the right solution.
InvestSuite really makes that difference. There’s an old saying: there’s nice to have and there’s got to have. In my opinion, there are a lot of solutions out there that are nice to have, but advisors don’t necessarily need them. StoryTeller is not just a nice to have, it’s a must-have. It goes beyond reporting, investors are more engaged and confident throughout their investment journey and advisors are well-prepared.
Looking back and forward.
Looking back at 2023, my biggest achievement was to get in with the key players. Building relationships with major players in the US financial landscape, is a testament to the impact of our solutions. Another achievement is being part of the Founders Arena, an incubator for rising WealthTech companies. This signifies substantial progress in raising awareness for our innovative solutions.
My focus for the upcoming year is clear: to continue the growth momentum and establish a dedicated team in the US.
My ambitions for the next 10 years align with InvestSuite's growth trajectory. This includes not only expanding the team but also establishing a physical presence in the US. The vision is to be a driving force in revolutionizing various aspects of wealth management, driving to the industry's evolution.
I'm looking forward to what lies ahead.