London Calling: An Interview with GenTwo's UK Head Goran Gusic

Goran, how did you first come across GenTwo?

I’ve known the GenTwo CEO, Philippe, for many years and have been following GenTwo from day one. We’ve been discussing a potential engagement for a few years, but it wasn't really on my radar until the London expansion came up.

What appealed to you about joining GenTwo?

I was looking to get some exposure to the entrepreneurial side, away from the big banks. I love the story, and I like the doors it opens. Assetization and mass customization have no limits. We can engage with the banking world that I'm familiar with, but also touch the universe of non-bankable assets. I've learned a lot already in the last two months from discussions with clients and prospects in finance, film, climate, real estate and infrastructure. GenTwo is a very flexible service platform that potentially provides solutions for all kinds of needs.

Can you share a little bit about your career up until now?

I started my career in Switzerland with UBS. I was then hired by BNP Paribas in Frankfurt as an Options Trader. From there, I moved around from Frankfurt to Paris to London to Tokyo, and back to London working for blue chip banks. I've been in London since 2009. I've had a few stints on the entrepreneurial side, from business development to setting up companies with partners in the equity derivatives space. My last position was at Barclays, running risk books in various European sectors. Now, with GenTwo, I see this as a chance to take on more of an entrepreneurial role, making an imprint on the company's growth and being part of a long Assetization journey.

How do you see your role evolving at GenTwo?

I would like to be part of the expansion through my network and experience on the structured product side and the world of finance. I have an analytical approach when it comes to costs and strategy. I hope to contribute by setting long-term goals, creating specific steps to reach them, and staying focused with the support of the founders Philippe and Patrick who are leading the charge, and of course the GenTwo Team.

Why do you think the UK is an attractive location for GenTwo?

It's a huge hub in terms of assets and wealth. There's also a lot of entrepreneurial thinking happening here. Entrepreneurs settle here because they can access funds and a large pool of international talent. There’s also a strong flow of capital from Europe, the US, and the Middle East. Despite Brexit, London continues to thrive as a financial center. The UK-Switzerland partnership offers a supportive framework for us.

What specific opportunities do you see for GenTwo in the UK?

We are looking to scale our product. There's a lot of interest on the distribution side of structured products. The banking system is very present but maybe somewhat antiquated. Investors have customized needs and asset managers need to find solutions to service these needs and that’s where GenTwo will play a crucial role. Opportunities for clients to do business with us and through our platform are endless. This typically can’t be done via banks, or at least not without size/nominal constraints. What sets GenTwo apart is the efficiency, innovative approach and low cost of our solutions. I haven’t seen another product in the UK that offers the same breadth of services that we do.

Is there a unique target client base that we have in the UK?

Asset Managers and Family Offices are a focus, but it goes much further. The UK has proven to be a place where our product is used to facilitate large-scale projects, especially in venture capital and project financing. And lastly a big focus for us, is the implementation of our platform where asset managers can create products and issue ISIN’s with a few mouse clicks and offer their products to a variety of clients in smaller clip sizes in bankable and non-bankable assets.

What are your plans for expanding the UK operations?

We want to move quickly and make a proper imprint here. We plan on bringing new people on board in the UK to help drive this forward. We’re also working on finding a home (office) for GenTwo in London. The business plan is clear, the goals are defined in terms of what we want to do, who we want to be, and how we want to serve our clients best. If I may use a quote from our CEO: “The investment universe is yours!”

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

Most of my time is spent with my two young boys, who are 2 and 4 years old. They are a handful and keep me busy! In a nutshell, family and friends get all my attention outside of work.  

How do you balance working for a startup in the UK with your busy family life?

The difference between GenTwo and my previous jobs is the flexibility it offers – knowing what needs to get done and having clear goals allows for planning and time management. So far, my work/life balance has improved.