Sébastien Henry has joined Ameropa SA in 2009. For the last 5 years, he worked as a Grains and Oilseeds Trader focused on the Black Sea region. His career started in the oilseed crushing industry at Cereol Trituration in 2002 as a meal merchant in South France. Then, after spending several years at SAIPOL (Avril Group) from Rouen to Paris, living an experience in Australia at Gardner Smith, he eventually went on to join Ameropa in Lausanne. As an expert in his field, here, Sébastien shares his vision of the profession with us.
#1/ What is the best moment you can remember in your career?
I don’t have a ‘best moment’ even if my last 2 years at Ameropa have brought me a lot of satisfaction. When you’re trading, the highlight is when you make good decisions and take the right position – and that’s achieved by effective teamwork! You’re all completely in tune with one another and together you come up with ideas that no one else has had – that’s how you ace it!
Without saying it was the best moment, there was something special about my very first trade – three lorry of Sunflower meal of 27 metric tons sold to a feed compounder from the southwest France… I remember it more clearly than my first Panamax of wheat or corn!
#2/ If you had to give just one piece of advice to a junior starting his/her career, what would it be?
You need to have confidence in yourself, without being arrogant or putting others down. I think that in this profession you must have a bit of an ego – in moderation, of course!
You have to be both patient and impatient… Be prepared to give your all and be passionate about your work.
I would also add that you need to be quick-witted and conscientious in order to succeed.
#3/ Do you have a Motto/Lucky charm?
‘One life, no regrets’. You have to make the most of life and take – calculated – risks.
#4/ What do you enjoy the most in your day to day job?
What I like about my job is never knowing what tomorrow will bring. I am fortunate enough to trade 6 different commodities which means I am never bored. There are an infinite number of factors that can influence each market, from geopolitics to finance, the climate and economics. It’s the embodiment of speed and it certainly keeps your adrenaline levels high.
#5/ If you had to do it again would you choose the same career path?
Exactly the same! I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve been lucky… But we shouldn’t forget that to a certain extent we make our own luck.
#6/ Where is your favourite place on earth and why?
I have travelled extensively but I hope it’s somewhere I haven’t been yet…
You learn so much when travelling abroad… Actually, I could not live without it, travelling and exploring – every place is unique.
Having said that, my beautiful native Brittany, as well as Switzerland, Paris and Sydney, all hold a special place in my heart.
#7/ How could you qualify your relationship with Ampersand World?
‘Business’. I don’t see Ampersand World as a recruitment agency, but rather as a career consultancy and a business partner.
I like their energy and drive!
March 28, 2016
Good interview 😄