Ana Grbec was promoted to partner in the Capital Markets Group in January 2022. Resident in our London office, Ana advises on public and private capital markets and finance transactions with a focus on high yield debt securities, equity capital markets and cross-border securities offerings across a broad range of sectors and jurisdictions.
What do you like most about your practice area/what attracted you to your practice area?
A distinguishing feature of capital markets is that it is simultaneously a very intense and fast-paced practice, yet collaborative and teamwork oriented. It's a thrilling combination that really works well for Type A personalities.
Whether acting for the issuers or the financing sources, we have the opportunity to work closely with the issuers and get to know their business in detail when advising year after year on all aspects of the capital structure. We also are there for each transformative transaction – leveraged buyouts, refinancings, equity offerings and restructurings – no matter where we are in the economic cycle.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give an associate who wants to make partner?
Stay curious – every task can lead to a new learning experience. Grasp every opportunity to collaborate with other practice areas and round up your skillset. Raise your hand for stretch assignments. In your own team, you want to become the trusted "go-to" person and from there in no time you will become the point person for your clients as well. Of course, partnership also depends on external forces. Find a sponsor and try to position yourself in a practice area with momentum.
Who had the greatest influence on your career that helped propel you to partner?
On the topic of sponsors, I would not be here without Apostolos Gkoutzinis, who is a true inspiration to anybody keen to have a career in international capital markets. In addition, I am lucky to be surrounded by colleagues and peers who always strive for excellence and spur my competitive nature on a daily basis.
How has your background influenced or impacted your career?
I was born quite literally on the border between Slovenia and Italy, so it is probably no coincidence that I ended up specializing in cross-border transactions! I grew up in an entrepreneurial family at a time of economic transition to capitalism, so I developed very early on a great interest in the rule of law and the international economic order. It all truly comes together in the practice of capital markets in Europe.
