Meeting Zep
Zep, creator of the renowned cartoon character Titeuf, shared his career and quick-thinking drawing skill with an audience at Wadham College.
Wadham Career Networks: Banking
Date Published: 27.05.2025
We want to make it easy for you to meet like-minded alumni in banking and finance from every generation whether it's for mentorship, advice, or forging new contacts.
The College recently introduced Wadham Career Networks, designed to facilitate opportunity, mentorship, and the chance to meet like-minded alumni from every generation in your field. We caught up with Sergio Boehler (Oriental Studies, 2001), Investment Advisor at UBS, to hear more about the network for banking and finance roles.
What did your pathway into banking look like?
Having completed a BA in Oriental Studies (Mandarin), my thinking was that whichever bank I joined, I wanted it to have a strong growth trajectory in Asia and a significant footprint in China. I also wanted to ensure that whichever banking division I decided on — whether M&A, Capital Markets, or another area — the institution would be a clear leader in that space. UBS Wealth Management ticked all boxes and I was fortunate enough to gain a place on the graduate training programme in 2006 in their London office, marking the start of my journey into banking.
How did your Wadham education help you with your career in banking?
The packed study schedule during term time helped develop the ability to process large volumes of information efficiently and at speed - a key skill in Finance, where decisions often rely on assimilating complex data under time pressure. Preparing for exams, whether Collections, Prelims, or Finals, instilled discipline, attention to detail, and the capacity to perform under pressure - all of which have proved invaluable in the fast-paced and often demanding world of banking.
Who do you hope will benefit from the Banking network?
Ideally it would be beneficial to both alumni and existing students alike.
For current students, it’s a chance to gain insights into the financial world and receive help with their first steps into banking.
The network can support them in mapping out the various job paths available — whether a research, sales or trading role for example would be the best fit — and give them the guidance to make informed decisions about where they want to go.
For alumni, it can be a valuable resource for career developments, networking and intellectual debate — whether that’s sharpening views on financial markets, navigating geopolitical developments, or simply sounding out business ideas and challenges in volatile times. It could also be a space for exciting entrepreneurship, whether through introductions, partnerships, or sharing insights.
What opportunities do you think the Banking alumni career network provides?
It offers a real opportunity to learn from the experiences of others — to share ideas and perspectives across different stages of peoples’ careers. This includes mentorship, social events and access to valuable content - ad hoc news updates and articles, inspiring success stories and achievements from across the network.
What do you hope the network will look like going forwards?
It would be great to see the network evolving into a central hub for alumni initiatives — a dynamic place within which people can actively engage, share experiences and offer and receive advice. Ideally there is a real impact where the college thrives from the community’s support, where alumni can easily connect and bring value to existing students.
Ultimately, I’d love to see a natural growth in the network, with more people getting involved, more collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose and community.
To enquire about joining the network, please complete the career networks survey, or contact barnaby.norman@wadham.ox.ac.uk
