A DAY IN THE LIFE… FLORIAN SOMMER

When did you join UniCredit and what do you do?

I joined UniCredit in 2002 - feeling old now! I joined as a CIB graduate in Munich and from 2003-2019 worked in the Financial Sponsor Solutions team in London, which I co-headed from 2016 onwards.

In 2019, I relocated to Vienna with my family, where I am head of UniCredit Bank Austria’s Financing and Advisory (F&A) division. As F&A Head, I oversee several units: corporate structured finance, portfolio management, capital markets and advisory activities including M&A.

Describe your ideal workday?

If weather permits, I cycle to work and drop off my daughter at her kindergarten before starting at my desk at around 8.30. Covid has changed my routine a bit, so I try to be as structured as possible with meetings throughout the day.

My day consists of video calls with my teams to discuss business matters, reading credit files, joining various business and credit committees and working on initiatives and projects, HR matters and business alignment.

I personally prefer working in the office, not only because my wife works from home and takes up the internet bandwidth, but I also enjoy seeing colleagues and feel more connected to the job in the office. Covid has shown us that flexible working environments are a key to success and that “working from home” is not only as productive as office work, but can contribute to work life balance.

What do you eat at lunchtime normally?

I rarely go out for lunch but instead get a takeaway and eat at my desk, whilst reading through news and emails – a bad habit which might still be a leftover from my time in London! I try to eat healthily during the week, but indulge on weekends.

Can you share an insider-anecdote on a funny moment you’ve experienced at work?

In general, I love the chat that we have in video calls whilst waiting for everyone to connect – one can witness the funniest conversations, when we make jokes on ties and home office backgrounds. The funniest moment I had was probably when I accepted a video call when I just finished a workout… always check whether the camera is on!

Are you a morning or evening person?

My head is clearer and more focused in the mornings, which is when I prefer to discuss complicated topics. It is easier for me to wake up early rather than go to bed late – so I guess that qualifies me as a morning person.

I definitely need to switch off in the evening after a long day –watching Netflix, reading a book or doing something that has nothing to do with work.

What is your morning ritual before going to work?

I try to wake up before my daughter at around 6am to catch up on news and squeeze in some sport – cycling or yoga – before breakfast. That’s perhaps the only “me time” I have during the day. From 7am, I make breakfast for the family and play with my daughter, who I often do not see in the evenings.

Favourite time of the day?

Switching off the PC and seeing my family.

Do you have a hobby?

Hobbies have changed a bit since my daughter arrived, but I try to spend as much time as possible outside exploring the surroundings of Vienna on foot or by bicycle, playing a round of golf, or skiing during the wintertime.

If we are lucky and have a babysitter, we do some climbing in the mountains surrounding Vienna and enjoy having dinners with friends.

I cannot wait to be able to travel again and visit friends and family who we have not seen for a while -  that’s probably what I have missed most during lockdown.