Training cross-functional specialists with the new ISFB State-Major & Support certificate - Interview with Sylvaine Simms

September 1, 2025

With the Etat-Major & Support certificate, the ISFB is offering a brand new 14-day training program starting September 29, aimed at specialists in cross-functional areas within financial organizations. Sylvaine Simms, Program Director, tells us all about it.

Sylvaine Simms, you are the Program Director of the new ISFB Etat Major & Support certificate. Could you tell us about this program and who it is aimed at?

When we speak of staff and support management, we are generally referring to the military domain, where the title originated in the 18th century, but it is now used by metonymy in all complex organizations - companies, administrations or political parties - to designate a team responsible for advising and assisting a leader, general management or senior executive to carry out their day-to-day tasks and implement their strategy in the field.

Today, managing the challenges posed by changes in business, regulations, economic stakes and technology requires curiosity and creativity, as well as rigor and agility on an ongoing basis.

ISFB's Certificat d'Etat-Major is designed for managers in charge of cross-functional functions (Risk, Strategy, Organization, Compliance, Information Systems and operational support teams) who have to meet strategic, operational and human objectives.

In your opinion, what makes this program so rich and high quality?

The richness of a staff management program comes from its ability to go beyond simple technical training to create an immersive experience, combining strategic vision, operational mastery and organizational development.

This type of program provides a panoramic view of the bank. It enables participants to understand the links between all the major functions. It fosters a team spirit: working as a team, coordinating expertise, supporting strategic decisions. What's more, participants develop a capacity for strategic intelligence and foresight, essential to support their line.

What do you see as the main challenges in this area, and how does this program provide concrete solutions?

Firstly, staff and support specialists need to understand the technical aspects of several disciplines, without necessarily being specialists in these different fields. This is why the program provides them with cross-disciplinary reading keys to dialogue with experts and make informed decisions. The aim is to build a bridge between technology and operational strategy.

Staff and support units need to do more than just analyze: they need to decide, convince and coach. The program reinforces soft skills such as crisis communication, emotional intelligence, influence and change management. It's a real school of collective leadership: knowing how to decide quickly, in complex situations and as part of a team. This is executive leadership development.

ISFB brings together high-level profiles from various banks in French-speaking Switzerland, financial institutions and the wider financial ecosystem. The ISFB Staff and Support Certificate is part of this configuration of experience sharing and peer network maintenance, which is very useful throughout a career. It also enables participants to appreciate the importance of networking and influence in their day-to-day work.

What is your role as Program Director?

As Program Director, my role is to liaise constantly with the Head of Continuing Education to ensure that the content of our program corresponds to the needs of the market. I make sure that the modules are consistent with each other, so that the content covers all the essential dimensions.

A second aspect of my role is to participate in the selection of lecturers for this certificate, together with the ISFB Continuing Education Manager. Finally, I'm also the program's first ambassador.

I'll also have the chance to talk directly with the participants and gather their impressions throughout the course.

Sylvaine Simms

Chief of Staff, Wealth & Asset Management Division (BCGE)

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