Women in Finance – Hrefna Ösp Sigfinnsdóttir

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WHAT DID YOU DREAM OF BECOMING AS A CHILD?

I was raised in a household that emphasised equality and education above all. I was always certain that I would attend university, though not in the same fields as my parents. My mother has a PhD in biology and she specialised in ichthyology, whereas my father is a minister, specialising in pastoral psychology and care. He has worked as a hospital priest for many years. I was interested in finance from an early age and enjoyed creating stores and selling to my family or in school. Another favourite game was playing office manager. I pushed for the opportunity to work for my grandfather, who founded and operated a hardware store, when I was still a teenager. I started working there when I was 13, first in the store and later in the office. This is when I decided to study business administration.

HOW DID YOU END UP IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?

When I graduated from university in 1994, the Icelandic securities market was still in its early stages. I was excited about securities and determined to get a job from one of the few securities houses operating in Iceland. The financial services company Skandia operated an insurance and securities firm in Iceland and I was lucky enough to get hired there fresh out of school. I got the opportunity to work different jobs and to gain experience in back office operations, fund management, private banking, among others. At Skandia, I also got to know exceptional professionals who influenced and shaped the future of my career. At this point in time, I decided to specialise in securities. In 2010 I was appointed as managing director of asset management at Landsbankinn.

WHAT JOB OR EVENT HAS TAUGHT YOU THE MOST IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR?

Although my years at Skandia were formative, shaping the course of my future, the financial crisis of 2008 has been my biggest lesson. I have always been fortunate to have superiors that have mentored me and supported my career.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE THE MOST IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?

My clients make me try harder, always striving to perform better. I have worked with some of my clients since 1994, so we share a long history together. Working with ambitious individuals who are motivated to succeed is another thing I find deeply satisfying, and this description certainly fits the Landsbankinn team.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR CURRENT JOB?

Not having the opportunity to meet with my clients to the extent I would like.

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU?

My family and childhood friends are my greatest inspiration and support network.

WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS OUTSIDE YOUR WORK?

Mountaineering and skiing, both cross-country and mountain skiing, replenishes and centres me.

NAME A PERSON, BOOK OR A STUDY THAT HAS GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR THINKING?

In my work to implement a policy on responsible investment I searched for strong role models who had broken new ground in the field. This search led me to Roelfien Kuijpers, originally from the Netherlands and now working in London, she is a true pioneer and leader in responsible investment. I later sought her advice and arranged her visit to Iceland; first in connection with the founding of IcelandSIF and later a conference on sustainability, hosted by the Iceland Chamber of Commerce. I had the opportunity to meet with her both times. Her words have been a great influence and stood me in good stead in my work. Roelfien is an exceptional and resourceful visionary who shares much of her values with others. 

Hrefna Ösp Sigfinnsdóttir is the managing director of Asset Management & Capital Markets at Landsbankinn in Iceland. Hrefna worked as a fund manager for Arev Securities from 2007 before joining Landsbankinn. Between 1998-2006 she worked as an analyst and headed the listing division at Nasdaq OMX. She has also previously worked as the head of retail banking at Fjárvangur (former Skandia) and in the Central Bank of Iceland’s monetary policy division. Hrefna has served on the board of directors of several companies both in Iceland and abroad, and lead the foundation of IcelandSIF.

WHAT DID YOU DREAM OF BECOMING AS A CHILD? I was raised in a household that emphasised equality and education above all. I was always certain that I would attend university, though not in the same fields as my parents. My mother has a PhD in biology and she specialised in ichthyology, whereas my father is a minister, specialising in pastoral psychology and care. He has worked as a hospital priest for many years. I was interested in finance from an early age and enjoyed creating stores and selling to my family or in school. Another favourite game was playing