Nomura has approximately 27,000 employees across the globe representing approximately 90 nationalities. How is the firm building strong teams to turn this diversity into strengths? In this first installment of our interview series with three Nomura team leaders, we speak with Hiroshi Shikano who heads the Japan Structuring team, which offers customized solutions to institutional investors.
Q. Please tell us about your role and responsibilities.
I am part of the Global Structuring group. We offer bespoke products and solutions across asset classes such as rates, foreign exchange, and equities. Lately, we have been customizing more products for institutional investors to meet their investment and hedging needs.
When I joined Nomura in 2001, we had a simple business platform. Our Solutions business changed dramatically when Nomura acquired Lehman Brothers. Lehman was ahead of other firms in terms of technology even in London, which was at the forefront of technology in the financial industry. Today Nomura has multiple Solutions platforms based on Lehman’s platform, and we are the only Japanese investment bank whose technological capabilities match that of US or European based firms. Within Japan, we have a competitive edge over foreign firms because we are able to provide services to both institutional and retail investors.
Q. What is your team’s composition?
We have a team of about 50 people, including members in overseas locations such as London and Singapore. To enhance our competitiveness, we have focused on building a diverse team. Since 2020, we have significantly revamped the team, allowing us to compete more effectively against foreign firms in the institutional investor space.
- 拡大
- Hiroshi Shikano, Head of Structuring Japan, Nomura Securities
Q. What do you prioritize in team building?
Earning the trust of our clients and having a commitment to providing the best service is important. Foreign competitors operate in an environment where individuals must demonstrate results within one or two years. So even if you have the same skills at the outset, you need to have the drive and determination to grow and achieve a certain level of success.
This perspective has grown through my work with team members from Lehman Brothers. They have a strong desire to build the business and they are driven to perform and receive recognition for their efforts. I believe this is what work is about. I want everyone in the team to maintain this level of determination and commitment at all times. I often tell them that being recognized for your work and getting a promotion is great, but it also means taking more risk. As head of the team, I take the most risk. I think it is important for members to understand this to maintain a good team.
Q. What does a " strong team" mean to you?
I spent a long time in London and I consider the soccer Premier League to be an ideal model. To secure victory, teams in the Premier League gather talent from around the world. However, it’s not just about bringing together skillful individuals. Discipline is crucial for the team to win. The coach clearly defines the team’s goals and how they must operate to succeed. Both the players and the organization exist to achieve those goals.
Q. What is essential for communication with team members?
I make it a point to visit everyone's desk when I have time to talk and listen to what’s on their minds. I strive for those opportunities to connect. I also invite younger members to regular team meetings and create opportunities for them to think by posing questions.
Q. Highly skilled individuals often have strong personalities. Are disagreements acceptable?
Disagreements are healthy and natural. When people have different opinions, we listen to what each person has to say and make the necessary adjustments. It’s natural for friction to occur when everyone is genuinely engaged. People with strong views cannot thrive in an environment where differing opinions are not welcomed. Even if we have small disagreements, our goals are the same. As we work towards our common goals, I want members of my team to feel free to express themselves.
Hiroshi Shikano
Head of Structuring Japan, Nomura Securities
Hiroshi assumed his current role in October 2022. He originally joined Nomura in 2001 as a JGB trader and later worked in structuring. He served as the Head of Cross-Border Structuring from 2017 to 2022 at Nomura International plc (London).
He holds a Master’s in Engineering from The University of Tokyo and obtained an MBA at HEC Paris.
