Throughout her extensive career in finance, Ariane Dehn has witnessed every facet of the industry. 

She knows that booms are inevitably followed by crises—and she has experienced both in abundance. «When I first came to Switzerland, companies were reporting record profits, and the boom seemed unstoppable,» says the Country Head of Asset Management at France’s BNP Paribas.

But things took a different turn. The Swiss financial center came under increasing international pressure—a well-documented story. Yet, Switzerland has managed to maintain its leading position in global finance. «I have nothing but respect for this achievement. It fascinates me. It shows just how resilient the Swiss financial center truly is,» says the German-born executive.

Rising Competition

Singapore, Dubai… the competition is much fiercer today than it was a few years ago. Even so, Dehn states, «In Europe, no one can rival Switzerland anytime soon.» However, she warns that the need for adaptation remains high.

Sustainability demands are a key driver of this. «The past four years have been particularly tough in this regard,» she says. To address the issue seriously, one must deeply commit. «ESG alone is not enough,» she adds.

At BNP Paribas Asset Management, ESG is now just one of many criteria for evaluating companies. It’s also about actively influencing a company’s direction, which requires persistence.

A Changing ESG Landscape 

Four years ago, ESG was the buzzword. Everyone in the industry championed sustainability. But the narrative has shifted. «Today, there’s almost a sense of ESG-bashing,» says Dehn.

However, it would be a mistake to assume the topic is no longer up for discussion. 

«Sustainability will regain prominence in the coming years, and that’s when it will become clear who did their homework and who merely chased the latest trend,» she says, making it clear that she does not intend to fall into the latter category.