As Storebrand reintroduces its corporate management trainee program after over a decade, Sanjin Damjanovic, one of the first participants, embarks on an 18-month journey to shape the future of sustainable finance. In this interview, he shares insights into life at Storebrand, the evolving challenges of sustainable investments, and the exciting opportunities to drive meaningful change.
You’ve just begun in the Storebrand group’s corporate management trainee program. How’s it been so far?
I’m thrilled to share my experiences with the newly reintroduced trainee program at Storebrand. The program has been exceptionally well-structured, giving us a complete overview of various business aspects. Over the next 18 months, I will complete two rotations at SAM and one rotation at the CFO office, each lasting six months, before returning to SAM.
The cohort of trainees is incredibly talented and engaging, and I feel honored to be part of such a distinguished group. This is the first time that Storebrand has reintroduced the trainee program since 2012, and I am extremely grateful to be part of this first batch to start things up again.
Storebrand is a remarkable organization, filled with dedicated and skilled professionals in every department. The culture here is full of support and kindness, with everyone willing to lend a helping hand. This experience has undoubtedly been a fantastic start to my career, and I am excited about the journey ahead.
You’re working in the Storebrand Asset Management Sustainable Investments team, as your first rotation experience in the program? What’s your role in the team?
I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received from the Sustainable Investment team. They’ve given me a priceless opportunity to learn from some of the best professionals in the field of sustainability. It’s an honor to work alongside such dedicated and knowledgeable individuals.
As a trainee, my role has been to support various projects and topics, contributing wherever I can. My first project involved assisting with data for the integrated TCFD-TNFD report, which was published before the COP16 global nature and biodiversity conference, and working with geospatial data. Also, I have had the pleasure of contributing to research on human rights and working on a project related to green bonds. Right now, I am working on an exciting project focused on sustainable seafood. The team has also been kind enough to invite me to engagement meetings on various topics, further enriching my experience.
Working with this team has given me a clear understanding of why SAM is a leader in sustainable investments. Their expertise and commitment to sustainability are truly inspiring.
At first glance, what stands out to you as the biggest challenges and opportunities in this area?
The dynamic nature of sustainability is what makes it so fascinating. However, the sustainable investments industry has faced significant challenges and backlash in recent years. Despite these hurdles, it is crucial to continue our efforts in this field.
Sustainability is constantly evolving, with new regulations from the EU placing pressure on companies and investors to enhance their reporting. Data remains limited, and we are continually seeking innovative ways to interpret it. Beyond environmental issues like climate change and biodiversity, which can have disastrous impacts on companies, social issues are also paramount in today's world. Conflicts around the globe, the rise of AI, and digital rights are all critical concerns which needs to be focused on.
While these challenges are complex, they also present immense opportunities to find new solutions and drive positive change. As a new graduate in this field, these multifaceted issues make my work exciting. Being part of SAM, a company with a long history of addressing these challenges since the mid-1990s, gives me confidence in our ability to make a meaningful impact.
What perspectives or insights do you hope to contribute to the Sustainable Investments team?
The team I am working with is exceptionally talented and skilled. As a new graduate with a financial background, I am particularly interested in exploring how we can bridge these two areas of sustainability and finance tighter. My goal is to find innovative ways to quantitatively integrate sustainability into portfolio management. This could involve leveraging new data sources or developing novel methods to enhance our approach. By combining financial acumen with sustainability principles, I hope to contribute to creating more robust and impactful investment strategies.
In what ways do you think this particular rotation in the corporate management trainee program will prepare you for addressing the evolving needs of clients and the company?
The sustainability investment industry is constantly evolving, as are the needs of both our company and our clients. For the company, it is about innovating and developing new ways to enhance our work. Being a sustainability pioneer means taking bold steps, especially in uncertain times. I am committed to supporting Storebrand on this journey and contributing to our continued leadership in sustainability. For our clients, it is about being a Nordic powerhouse and a trusted local partner. We aim to provide cutting-edge solutions that meet their evolving needs, ensuring they can navigate the complexities of sustainability with confidence. By staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining a strong client focus, we can deliver exceptional value and drive positive change.
You must have had a lot of interesting offers after finishing your education - why did you pick Storebrand?
I did have a few offers, but I chose Storebrand specifically because of its long-standing history and focus on sustainable investments, which fits perfectly with how I would like to build my career. For anyone passionate about sustainability, I think there’s no better company than Storebrand.
What impressed me most about Storebrand was its ability to remain a pioneer in sustainability, despite being such a large and diverse organization in terms of client offerings. The company’s commitment to integrating sustainable investments, through every aspect of the business, is truly extraordinary. It makes me proud to work at a company that takes sustainability seriously and leads the way in this field. So, that was why I joined Storebrand and I’m extremely happy with my decision.
We see that you recently won the 2024 Young Alumni award from BI, your former university. How did that happen?
I’m really grateful and proud to be an alumnus of such a wonderful institution where I completed my bachelor's degree. Receiving this prize has been a journey with many milestones. This is my first prize from BI as an alumnus, in addition to two previous awards I received for academic achievements while I was a student there. At BI, I was fortunate to be deeply involved in various aspects of campus life - I loved being a student there and dedicated a lot of effort to my studies. Also, I prioritized giving back to the institution, by actively participating in the student union, serving as the National President for all campuses, and sitting on the Board of Trustees for BI, in addition to some more activities here and there through the years. I cherish the memories from my time at BI and hope to carry these experiences with me into the future.
