Name: Denis Deripasko

Title: Partner

Organisation: B Investments

With a deep understanding of banking and finance, Denis successfully leads teams and executes intricate transactions across diverse markets, now working as a partner in a financial services company and NED in several organisations. His extensive experience encompasses senior roles in business planning and budgeting, C-suite relationship management, deal structuring and documentation, credit monitoring, and exit strategy.

Denis boasts a proven track record in corporate financing, ESG and sustainable finance, corporate financing solutions, debt financing, equity offerings, and structured finance products. As an Executive Director and Head of Liquidity Initiative at a premier international bank, Denis spearheaded initiatives to optimize liquidity management and mitigate risks for major corporate clients.

Denis holds a Master's Degree from Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, and was awarded the British Council Award. He also holds Bachelor's Degrees from Central European University, Hungary, and Donetsk State University. Denis possesses strong strategic thinking, leadership, financial analysis, and relationship-building skills. He is committed to driving innovation and leveraging technology to streamline business processes and enhance outcomes.

Denis is a staunch advocate for AI in financial services and believes that AI has the potential to revolutionize the industry by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and augmenting decision-making. Denis is actively engaged in industry discussions and initiatives related to AI and its applications in the financial sector.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Denis's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Building and maintaining trust is the most challenging thing for any leader.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Leadership isn't solely defined by titles, despite the emphasis politicians and corporate advisors often place on them. True leadership stems from integrity, is effectively communicated, and inspires others to follow willingly and entrust you with the responsibility of guiding them forward.

My leadership journey began in school, where knowledge and sound judgment were recognised and valued, often leading to leadership opportunities.

Early experiences like these shape character and prepare one to seize later opportunities. This translates effectively into business and professional relationships, and especially into client communication, where being a respectable and even authoritative figure is essential.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I believe the ultimate achievement in one's business life is when you finally capture full control over your workday.

When working with global clients, the workday often revolves around diverse communication opportunities dictated by different time zones. While complete self-focus is unrealistic and dictating schedules to clients is generally impractical, you can control priorities, manage your and your team's time effectively, and direct the goals you set for yourself and your organization.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

No matter how accomplished you become as a leader, there will always be differing perspectives, shaped by others' professional, personal, or spiritual experiences, which you must strive to understand and accept.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Mahatma Gandhi's "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" offers profound insights into the stoic life of one of modern history's most influential leaders. It exemplifies how a leader's character is forged through virtuous associations, enriching literature, and unwavering self-discipline, as Gandhi himself articulated. This book underscores the importance of self-control in shaping one's behavior, choosing one's company, and pursuing education to achieve one's goals—goals that can be as lofty as Gandhi's own or as attainable as one envisions.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Even at a young age, it's crucial to understand that leadership doesn't emerge from a vacuum. It requires earning trust and recognition among peers, colleagues, and even within one's family. Only by achieving internal balance and setting goals based on this self-awareness can one truly develop as a leader.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? People naturally look to their leaders for guidance during times of uncertainty, discomfort, or distress. In business, such situations can arise frequently and unexpectedly. True leaders maintain composure even under the most adverse conditions, guiding their colleagues toward safety and success and instilling awareness and self-belief in others. For me, this was particularly evident during restructuring, which demands maintaining control, exhibiting patience while meticulously understanding the challenges, and working diligently to achieve a positive outcome—even when giving up might seem the easier path.