Promoting future growth: Insights from the Head of Business Development for Equity at Siemens Financial Services

In today's ever-evolving business landscape, the role of the Business Development team has never been more critical. The rapid changes in technology and market dynamics are reshaping the way the Siemens Financial Services Equity (SFS EQ) team approaches growth and investments. For these reasons, having a business development team in place to implement the right strategies and identify opportunities to promote growth is paramount. In July 2023, Ina Vetter took over as the Head of Business Development for SFS EQ. Her experience, skills and expertise are poised to help the team continue to grow and achieve new heights. SFS EQ CEO Steffen Grosse talked to Ina about her vision and her invaluable insights on the strategies that are driving success in the world of equity investments.

Steffen: How do you see the role of the business development team contributing to EQ’s success and growth in the near future?

Ina: Our mission at SFS EQ is to invest in companies or projects where we can accelerate the deployment of purposeful technology and support Siemens customers along key impact areas: decarbonization & energy efficiency, resource efficiency & circularity and people centricity & societal impact. Here the Business Development team plays a crucial role as we are responsible for identifying new business opportunities, exploring new markets and emerging trends, and forging strategic partnerships. By staying abreast of developments in sustainable investment fields and new innovative technologies, we contribute to EQ's sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term success in the equity market.

Steffen: Can you share some of the most exciting projects the business development team is currently working on?

Ina: One current focus topic for us is the Circular Economy. We are actively exploring investment opportunities for circular economy solutions where we see lots of business model innovation happening, spurred by increased regulation around sustainability and scarcity of critical materials needed for the energy transition.

Another big focus for us is the topic of digital transformation where clearly the focus now is on exploring opportunities in the area of artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI is a rapidly growing field with immense potential for technology innovation and disruption across industries. Undoubtedly, it will also have an impactful effect on financial services going forward with internal applications along the full investment process including deal sourcing, due diligence, valuation, portfolio optimization etc. but also impact significantly on our portfolio companies and their business models. By staying agile and understanding the latest trends and advancements in AI, financial services companies can position themselves to capitalize on these opportunities.

Steffen: Can you provide some examples of how the business development team collaborates with other departments internally to promote growth and support the business?

Ina: As a team we are in constant exchange and dialogue with other relevant departments at Siemens Financial Services and Siemens overall. Cross-functional efforts are essential for staying updated on technology innovations and aligning investments with the overall corporate strategy. To give some examples, we regularly exchange with our Corporate Technology group to identify emerging technologies and trends that can drive innovation and create new business opportunities for Siemens. We also closely collaborate with the strategy and sustainability departments. We share insights on market dynamics, technology innovations, and new trends, helping to shape long-term business plans and sustainability goals. For our customers, we have built an entire ecosystem known as our Xcelerator Marketplace which brings the full breadth of Siemens’ portfolio together – along with our partners – to offer complementary solutions along the entire value chain.

Steffen: As the head of the business development department at SFS EQ, what message or insights would you like to convey to your key stakeholders?

Ina: At SFS EQ we are committed to accelerating investments into climate solutions and scaling new technologies around the decarbonization of industries. Here we are leaning on Siemens with deep industry insights into climate technologies and the industrial domain. As a value-add partner we are dedicated to providing our stakeholders with opportunities for growth and profitability and our affiliation with Siemens enhances our ability to offer expertise, strong networks and resources. We look forward to working closely with our partners to seize these opportunities and drive profitable and sustainable success.

Steffen: Last but not least, tell us a bit more about your personal development within SFS.

Ina: I started my career at SFS in 2005 in England and worked primarily on the Origination side in the European Infrastructure Financing market with a strong focus on structuring transactions to drive sustainable growth. The move into a strategy role allows me to develop a broader perspective on Siemens and experiencing the equity investors perspective after many years on the lending side.?

SFS has always been an employer providing ample development opportunities. I started my career in the Siemens Graduate Management Program and had over the years many opportunities to build on this with further corporate talent programs, e.g. by participating in the Siemens Executive MBA Program which has allowed me to expand my professional network across the Siemens organization. In addition, SFS has consistently supported my career development through various other avenues such as taking on challenging assignments and providing opportunities for cross-functional experiences and I am proud and grateful to work for an organization which fosters a culture of learning and innovation.

This article is part of an article series:

Interview with Mark EE - Head of Asia Australia at SFS EQ

Interview with Stephanie Tack – Head of Sustainability at SFS EQ

Interview with Robert Schiele – Head of Negative Emissions Technologies at SFS EQ