Benoît Ceilles (SK 2005), an international career in finance

From SKEMA Sophia to Toronto and then New York, via Paris, Tokyo and London, Benoît Ceilles has been working in the finance world for nearly 15 years in different countries. How did SKEMA make an international career possible for him?

Although he begins his higher education at the University of Perpignan, the young man is naturally drawn to SKEMA, a school with a very international environment. Being motivated, he successfully passes SKEMA’s competitive entrance exam and transfers over in his second year to major in marketing and project management. The opportunity to spend some time abroad as part of his course appeals to him and Benoît Ceilles decides to go study for a while in Poland, at the Krakow University of Economics. This experience in a foreign country confirms his desire to live abroad.

Recruited as an analyst by a bank in Tokyo

In 2005, with his SKEMA degree in hand, Benoît heads back overseas without a moment’s hesitation. He goes to Toronto on a working holiday visa, with the aim of improving his English. He attends several interviews to find a job there. He ends up quite by chance in the world of finance when he is recruited by a bank. Once back in Paris in 2007, Crédit Agricole CIB hires him as a middle office analyst. “I approached that company because I knew they had offices pretty much all over the world. After a while, I let them know that I wanted to work overseas. At that time, the middle office support department was growing in Tokyo. Thanks to the Volunteer for International Experience solution, I was able to spend a year in Tokyo,” he explained. This experience earns him a promotion in London and then in New York. He has fond memories of it.

Always show what you’re capable of

For the past two years, Benoît Ceilles has been Head of Capital Markets Middle Office in New York. With each move to a new country, he has watched his teams grow and his responsibilities evolve. This 36-year old is very much at ease in Anglosphere culture and is now thriving in the city that never sleeps.

Go to grow

Benoît Ceilles only has positive things to say about his experiences abroad, whether for his studies or his career. “They enabled me to grow. You mature so much.”

What Benoît would like to say to SKEMA’s future graduates: “Move! The job market in France is what it is, but you’ll gain so much from moving. Go and live overseas! VIE contracts are great for launching a career and employers love them. Overseas work experience or travelling around the world for six months are things that really appeal to recruiters these days. Doing this shows great qualities. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone and find out what the world has to offer.”

From SKEMA to New York, the adventure is only just starting for Benoît.

Contact: Benoît Ceilles (SK 2005), Head of Capital Markets Middle Office

Interview by lepetitjournal.com for SKEMA Alumni