Career development
Leadership and skills development: the keys to success according to Cynthia O’Gorman Schem
December 17, 2025
In this interview, Cynthia O’Gorman Schem, Global Head of Human Resources at Pictet, discusses the importance of skills development, leadership and continuing education within the bank. She discusses Pictet's participation in the ISFB Observatory of Banking and Financial Skills, which tracks changes in the industry and prepares employees for the challenges of the sector, while strengthening the expertise and HR practices of the Geneva financial center.
Cynthia O’Gorman Schem, you are Global Head of Human Resources at Pictet Group. How important is skills development within your organization?
Skills development is essential at Pictet. We have a central Learning & Development team and others integrated into each business line, which allows us to align our priorities while remaining close to the needs on the ground. We use the 70-20-10 model: 70% through experience (such as projects), 20% through exposure (mentoring or feedback) and 10% through traditional training (face-to-face or online courses).
How would you describe the management philosophy at your bank?
At Pictet, management is seen as a key responsibility for today's and tomorrow's leaders. Good management means attracting, developing and retaining talent. Our managers embody our values: they promote our culture and support the development of their teams.
Management begins with recruitment, continues with clear objectives, careful integration, and regular exchanges: feedback, information sharing, and development discussions.
What do you expect from your managers in terms of management, and how do you support them in their training?
In recent years, we have invested heavily in developing managerial leadership. In particular, we have created a People Leadership Handbook, which formalizes the Group's expectations of our managers. We have also introduced a "people management" objective for all managers and implemented a structured 180° feedback process through our Upward Feedback initiative. This allows employees to evaluate their manager, identify strengths and areas for development, and foster constructive dialogue around leadership. Finally, we offer programs dedicated to new managers, as well as targeted training for those who wish to deepen specific skills (transformational leadership, communication, managerial courage, etc.).
The ISFB recently launchedthe ISFB Observatory of Banking and Financial Skills, which Pictet has signed up to sponsor alongside other institutions in the city. How do you view the importance of skills development in the workplace, both for your institution and for the financial center as a whole?
In a constantly changing world marked by the emergence of artificial intelligence, developing skills in our sector is crucial. Our professions will evolve and, even though people will remain at the heart of our business, certain tasks will be automated and the way we work will have to change. Understanding how to integrate these new technologies into our various professions and processes, and training our employees while maintaining the high standards of quality that characterize the Geneva financial center, must be among our priorities. Pictet celebrated its 220th anniversary this year – we have been able to adapt to previous changes, and we want to be present and ready for the next developments.
Your bank works regularly with the ISFB. What benefits does your bank derive from this collaboration?
Our collaboration with ISFB is long-standing and valuable. It broadens our training offering and complements our internal programs: many employees attend courses there to acquire new skills that they then reinvest in the bank. The institute also provides us with a forum for exchange with other players in the sector, which enriches our practices and strengthens our collective understanding of HR and development issues.
