“Over the past five years, the Horizon conference has become a unique forum that gathers thought leaders from Luxembourg’s financial industry. Deloitte is honored to host the conference and to provide an opportunity for these experts to debate the future of financial services,” noted Yves Francis, Managing Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg.

Pierre Gramegna, Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance, gave the opening speech, noting that Luxembourg has grasped new opportunities for growth, leading to double digit growth in the fund industry, even after numerous regulatory changes. Minister Gramegna highlighted the agility of Luxembourg’s financial sector in the face of challenges. Finally, he said the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the latter half of 2015 will be an opportunity for Luxembourg.

Gérard Lopez, a well-known entrepreneur, businessman, and a founding partner of Genii Capital, gave a key note address focusing on entrepreneurship—in himself living proof that it is possible to forge your own way successfully. Mr. Lopez emphasized the importance of risk-taking and entrepreneurship. He called for Luxembourg to encourage entrepreneurship at an early age in schools and to encourage entrepreneurs to keep trying, even if they fail the first time.

What does the future hold?
To stay competitive, Luxembourg must become more attractive to global talent, reform its educational system, improve connectivity via air and rail, and create an ecosystem for entrepreneurship, noted the panel members of “The future of Luxembourg through the eyes of its leaders.”
The panel members of “The role of women within the modern financial industry” shared their perspectives from their personal experience as leaders in the financial industry. Speakers noted that gender balance is important and that it is crucial that both men and women are involved in the discussion about ways to ensure gender balance. It was noted that women must be daring and take risks, while financial institutions and finance professionals must look at ways to retain promising leaders.
“Now is the time to show that we are proud of Luxembourg’s financial expertise—the industry directly employs 45,000 people and indirectly employs 20,000 people. The conference is a moment to focus on how much financial markets contribute to Luxembourg’s economy—and how they can do even more,” said Benjamin Collette, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg and Global Investment Management Consulting Leader within the Deloitte network.

Panelists and speakers included:

• Véronique de La Bachelerie, CEO, Société Générale Bank & Trust
• Pierre Castagne, Managing Director, Luxoft
• Marie-Jeanne Chèvremont, Independent Advisor—MJC Conseil S.à.r.l.
• Benjamin Collette, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg and Global Investment Management Consulting Leader within the Deloitte network
• Juan Gómez-Reino, COO and Head of Strategy, Consumer Finance division— Lloyds Banking Group
• Joëlle Hauser, Head of the Investment Funds department, Clifford Chance Luxembourg
• Marc Hengen, CEO, Luxembourg Insurance and Reinsurance Association (ACA)
• Tonika Hirdman, Director General, Fondation de Luxembourg
• Sarah Khabirpour, Head of Strategy, Regulatory Affairs and MarCom, BIL
• Yves Maas, Chairman, the Luxembourg Banker’s Association (ABBL) and CEO, Credit Suisse Luxembourg
• Christopher Stuart Sinclair, Director, Strategy & Corporate Finance, Deloitte Luxembourg
• Camille Thommes, Director General, ALFI

For more information about the conference, please visit the Horizon conference website.