Your Interviews

 Ten minutes with....

Claudio Chistè (Shipping, Trade and Finance 2006)

What is your current position/occupation?
I currently work as a Vice President in the London Branch of a leading Italian bank, specialising in shipping finance. I am also the current Chairman of the SPNL – Shipping Professional Network in London (see: www.spnl.co.uk), which is London’s foremost networking forum for young shipping professionals, with industry backing from the UK Chamber of Shipping. In addition to this, I serve at Board level of: the Mission To Seafarers (trustee), United Nations Association-Westminster Branch (elected to the Executive Committee at the last AGM, which was held at the House of Lords) and the European Union backed EZA (workers association). I am a member of the Nautical Institute, International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) and have just completed my final exams for the Charter award from the Institute of the Chartered Shipbrokers.

Why did you study at Cass?
I started my career in the combat branch of the South African Navy (i.e. Warfare Officer), specializing in Navigation and Diving, working my way up the ranks to be Executive Officer (Second-In-Command) of a naval warship with 44 men. In my last year, I represented the navy in an international yacht race, from Cape Town to the ‘British Overseas Territory’ of St Helena Island - which as my greatest seagoing experience - influencing my decision to pursue the leisure yachting industry in the Mediterranean.
This was an amazing experience, but having been in the navy, I was used to order and a regimental way of life. I decided the only way to live by combining my passion, along with structure, would be for me to pursue a land-based career in the world of shipping. Although I had completed two degrees, a BSc in Mathematics & Nautical Science and a B.Comm (Hons) in Financial Analysis & Portfolio Management whilst in the navy, I had no commercial experience.
Cass Business School’s MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance came highly recommended to me by a shipowner and former Secretary General of Intermanager, Professor Guy Morel, who advised the Costas Grammenos International Centre for Shipping, Trade & Finance Cass would provide the “bridge” to transform my seagoing military & yachting background to the corporate world of the maritime industry. I have not looked back since.

What is most memorable of your time at Cass?
As I’m sure is the case for most of the Cass graduates, my best memory from Cass was the biennial organised by Professor Grammenos held at the IMO Head Quarters - the United Nations specialized agency - featuring presentations from global industry leaders. I would also have to say, the high quality of the lecturers and the opportunity of studying with such a high calibre of students, most of whom I am still in contact with today.

How has your career developed since you left Cass?
After leaving Cass I joined a leading Italian bank and moved to Milan, thereafter relocating to London. My key focus is on Shipping Finance, but I have also worked on other aspects of marine projects, such as port infrastructure projects. In addition to this, I have published in leading, industry respected publications such as Lloyds Shipping Economist, Marine Money International and that of the International Association of Maritime Economists.

You were included in the latest Lloyds List world’s most influential people in shipping (Next Generation). What does this mean to you?
I was honoured to learn of my inclusion in the list of the world’s most influential people in the shipping industry (Lloyds List: Next Generation 2012), which was presented at the international shipping exhibition, Posidonia, held in Athens. Lloyds List having its own proud place in history, as one of the world’s oldest continuously-running newspapers, dating back to 1734.
A week prior, I had received the Freedom of the City of London, believed to have begun in 1237, for which I was nominated for my contribution to shipping. The ceremony itself is steeped in tradition, after which the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court pointed out the parchments of well-known previous recipients which adorned the wall of the chamber. These included, Nelson Mandela, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale and Margaret Thatcher.

I am most grateful for this recognition, being a great supporter of the shipping industry, as well as the promotion and enhancing the City of London (as my current ‘adopted’ home).

Your current role in banking is rather different to your military background. Did your military background help you in any way?
I think the two most valuable skills I learnt from the military were structure and management, which are most certainly transferable. Other than that - in this ever-evolving world - I think we all need to learn continuously, or at least strive to...

What does the future hold for you?
(1) I hope to complete my Doctorate studies, with a view to continue lecturing part-time, enhancing tomorrow’s young shipping professionals so that they may be better positioned in the industry.

(2) Being also an Italian and representing Italians abroad for UNAIE (based in the UK), I will continue to participate in the EU-backed ‘think tank’, EZA, to seek to address social & economic development on a European level.

(3) Continue to be committed to the budding success of South Africa, by promoting the social & economic growth.

What’s your favourite thing to do in London?
Making things happen, whereby there is an overall positive impact on all involved.