The New Generation of Investment Professionals: A Journey of Growth and Professional Development

The investment industry requires not only deep expertise, but also intellectual flexibility, inner discipline, and a commitment to continuous growth. A new generation of professionals is shaping an environment in which career development is impossible without the ability to adapt to rapidly changing market realities and technological change.

In the new edition of Inside Our Team, we spoke with Daniyar Iskakov, Risk Manager at Fonte Capital Ltd, about how a career in risk management begins, which skills are especially important today for young professionals in the investment industry, and what helps them grow professionally within a dynamic investment company.

 

- How did your journey into risk management begin, and why did this field resonate with you?

- My career in risk management began at Fonte Capital. My interest in this field first emerged during my third year at university. What attracts me to risk management is that it is a versatile and in-demand profession where analytical and creative thinking can be combined. It is a field that brings together the skills of a mathematician, programmer, economist, and investment analyst, while also requiring an understanding of the corporate and political environment.

Kazakhstan has created favorable conditions for the development of the investment business. The market is developing rapidly, which requires constant adaptation to new realities, the ability to anticipate potential risks, and to find effective ways to prevent them. Risk management covers a wide range of tasks, provides freedom of action, and offers opportunities to experiment and propose your own ideas.

 

- What moments in recent times have become key milestones in your professional development?

- The company’s growing scale of operations, reflected in the launch of new funds and work on new transactions and portfolios, has made it necessary to automate risk management processes and search for new solutions. The support of colleagues has also played a major role — the exchange of experience and continuous learning have helped me develop professionally and apply these skills in practice.

 

- In your view, what competencies and skills are especially important today for young professionals building a career in the investment industry?

- Today, young professionals building a career in the investment industry need a combination of both professional and personal competencies.

First and foremost, I would highlight a strong drive for growth, a high level of responsibility, analytical thinking, and the ability to work effectively with large volumes of information. Investment activity requires balanced and well-grounded decision-making, so it is important to remain composed and maintain a systematic approach to solving any task.

Even while studying at university, it is important to go beyond the standard curriculum by taking specialized courses or internships and building practical experience. Even at leading universities, where a strong foundation is laid — for example, in mathematics, programming, and similar disciplines — there is often not enough practical application or understanding of why these skills matter. For a successful career in investment management, it is also important to develop adjacent areas of knowledge, including politics, economics, law, and foreign languages.

 

- What is it about Fonte Capital’s approach to working with young professionals that, in your opinion, truly helps them grow quickly?

- Fonte Capital is a fast-growing company that creates excellent opportunities for professional growth. The work here is always filled with new tasks and projects, while the support of the team helps young professionals adapt quickly, improve their skills and knowledge, and grow through experience, communication, and active involvement in the company’s work.

 

- How do you see your further development as a specialist?

- I see my further development as a specialist in deepening my professional knowledge and expanding my practical experience in the investment industry. For me, it is important not only to improve my analytical skills, but also to develop strategic thinking and continue taking advanced professional courses.

 

- What in your work requires not only knowledge, but also inner discipline?

- The ability to manage time wisely and efficiently, set priorities, and remain attentive to detail, especially when it comes to numbers. Consistency in actions and the ability to stick to a chosen plan are also very important.

 

 

- What personally motivates you to keep moving forward and continuously strengthen your competencies?

- What I value most in the profession of a risk manager is its relevance and dynamism — the opportunity to constantly face new challenges and experiment with different approaches to solving them.

 

- What are your hobbies, and what helps you switch off and restore your energy?

- Whenever possible, I try to enjoy everything I do and to discover something new for myself. Sport and travel help me recharge: running, swimming, team sports such as basketball and volleyball, hiking in the mountains, and traveling abroad.

Running and mountain hiking became my hobbies during my time at Fonte, largely thanks to my colleagues and the people around me, many of whom pursue these activities at a professional level. Their example inspired me to try, and over time it became genuinely interesting to me. I used to find it hard to imagine that I would be able to cover long distances without much difficulty.

I realized that it is not only about physical fitness, but also about motivation, mindset, and inner attitude. That is what builds endurance and allows you to enjoy pushing yourself and reaching a goal, such as conquering a summit.

It may seem that there is nothing extraordinary about it — “you climbed it, so what?” — and one might ask why it is worth putting in so much effort just for the view from above. But for me, it feels like a place of strength and another closed gestalt.

- Do you have a motto or principle that helps you both professionally and in life?

- Everything that happens is for the best. Everything will unfold the way it is meant to, but you should build your life the way you want it yourself. And you should do so in a way that leaves you with no regrets about your decisions and a clear conscience.