My Way: Ken Costa, of UBS Investment Bank, on how to succeed

Ken Costa is vice-chairman of UBS Investment Bank. He is also on the advisory board of the London Symphony Orchestra, and is the author of God at Work.

What did you want to be as a child?

I grew up in South Africa and felt very strongly that I wanted to do something that would correct the injustice of apartheid, so I thought I'd be a lawyer.

What did you realistically think you would end up being?

Probably a commercial lawyer. I knew I would have to earn my keep.

You studied law and philosophy at Witwatersrand University and law and theology at Cambridge. Was it worth it?

Absolutely. Philosophy and theology give a structure for understanding more of life than the material. You have to have a structure to answer the big questions such as, what is the purpose of work?

How did you first get into investment banking?

I decided I didn't have the right mind to be a lawyer, but I thought finance and law would make a good combination. I looked at international banks and was offered a job at SG Warburg.

What was your first position?

I was known as a banker's clerk. I was in fact an executive in corporate finance.

What was the best and worst part about it?

The best was meeting Siegmund Warburg, the worst was that I had no formal training in finance and it was hard to find my feet after years of indulging in philosophical speculation.

How did you work your way up?

In the first years I had to get to grips with a changing City landscape. I worked on the first BP privatisation, learning takeover rules and restructuring. I was also involved in the great bid for Harrods.

Do you consider yourself successful?

Others think I am, but there is much more for me to do.

Have you ever been fired from a job?

No, but I have been fired by a client. No banker grows up until they have been fired by a client.

What are your interview tips?

Be yourself and show your potential for leadership.

What are your CV tips?

Qualifications are the given but in a highly competitive market I look for distinguishing human characteristics, such as interests.

What are your tips for getting on at work?

First, one has to determine the purpose of life and live each day with purpose. Second, appreciate the positive qualities in your colleagues.

Describe your work/life balance.

At UBS we see music as part of the work/life balance and our staff have the opportunity to explore this through the London Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra comes to our building and holds concerts.

What motivates you?

Trying to apply my Christian faith to the workplace.

Learning to love one's neighbour in a highly competitive environment is a challenge, to say the least.

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