Since opening its doors in 2007, Aztec’s Luxembourg office has grown to almost 300 employees. Nestled in the heart of Europe and with easy access to other major European capitals, the country boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world, paired with one of the lowest crime rates and a relaxed pace of life. Home to a booming international finance centre and a thriving job market, it’s easy to see why Luxembourg has become one of the hottest destinations in the world for ambitious expats looking to fast-track their career whilst gaining international experience.
We spoke to some of our employees about moving to Luxembourg with the Aztec Group, and why it turned out to be one of the best decisions they’ve ever made!
Sian – Senior Fund Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in a small town in the Highlands of Scotland. After studying Combined Social Sciences with Criminology at university, I worked at a solicitor’s office focusing on property sales. Although I enjoyed it, I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do forever. I have always been ambitious and wanted to see the world, so when my fiancé was offered a job in Luxembourg I was excited to join him and packed up for a new adventure!
What attracted you to the Aztec Group?
I’d had interviews with a few other companies but nothing felt quite right. My fiancé was working for Aztec so I knew they had a great training programme and were committed to progressing employees within the company, and this really appealed to me. I joined Aztec as a Junior Fund Administrator in 2017 and immediately started taking advantage of the training offered by the in-house Aztec Academy. I’ve attended courses across a range of subjects from private equity, Luxembourg tax and VAT laws to running board meetings. In 2018 I was promoted to Fund Administrator, and less than a year later to Senior Fund Administrator. My next step will be to study for my ICSA chartered administrator qualifications, and become a Client Relationship Manager.
How easy was it to settle into life in a new country?
I was surprised how easy it was to integrate into life here, and Aztec played a big role in that. The company is English speaking whilst many others in Luxembourg are primarily French speaking and require fluency in another language, so that made everything much easier for a start! I quickly discovered a busy calendar of social events, which made it easy to build friendships. My fiancé is a rugby player and you will normally find me standing on the side lines cheering on the team (come rain or shine!), so becoming part of the local community also helped me settle in.
Ellen – Fund Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m originally from the north of Norway and moved to Scotland in 2013 to study at Edinburgh Napier University. After university I had a variety of jobs in the hospitality sector, before making the move to Luxembourg in February 2018. I wanted to explore new surroundings, and I chose Luxembourg as it’s so central, diverse and full of opportunities.
How did you settle into life in Luxembourg?
The move was surprisingly easy, thanks to the fact that everyone here is super-friendly and open. With such a large and diverse expat community almost everyone else around you has gone through the same process, and is keen to welcome you and help you settle in. The culture at Aztec is particularly close and supportive, and they organise a regular calendar of social events which helps you make new friends. Outside of work I do a few activities which include dress-making and singing in an international choir, and it was great to find that I could continue my hobbies here which also made me feel more at home.
What advice would you give for anyone looking to make the move?
My advice would be to go for it! It’s natural to worry about the potential obstacles and difficulties, but it’s surprising how easy the move can be in the right environment and with the support Aztec provides. There is a real family feel to the culture here, and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It’s made it very easy to adapt to my new life and feel at home here.
Mario – Junior Fund Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you moved to Luxembourg?
I grew up in Athens and went to university there, gaining my Master’s degree in economics and business strategy. I was keen to try living and working elsewhere, and Luxembourg seemed like a great place for expats. I also knew I wanted to work in the finance sector, so applied to join Aztec in Luxembourg.
What were your first impressions of Luxembourg?
When I first arrived in Luxembourg, I was blown away by the city centre; the different levels of the city with the modern buildings contrasting with the classic architecture creates a unique environment. There is beautiful countryside here too which is never far away, so it’s easy to escape the city if you want a change of scenery. Luxembourg is located in the centre of Europe with fantastic travel links, and this makes it easy to discover new places every weekend in the surrounding countries.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Aztec is an international company with employees from all around the world. We have over 50 different nationalities and almost as many languages in one office and as a result, the working environment is very different to anywhere I’ve ever worked before. I have made so many friends here and I think that’s because of how closely we work and socialise as a team. Having this support network helps a lot if you feel like you’re missing home!
Carni – Senior Fund Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself and your career so far?
It was always my dream to become a dancer, but unfortunately I sustained a serious injury before my audition with a prominent dance company in London. I returned home to South Africa and decided to study law. After graduating I moved to Luxembourg for my next challenge, working at a South African family office for a while before moving to a role in corporate services. I then took a break to have my daughter, before joining Aztec in 2017 where I now work in the Real Assets team.
Why did you move to Luxembourg, and what has kept you here?
My boyfriend (now my husband) was offered a job here so I came with him. I’d never even heard of Luxembourg so I didn’t know what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was a beautiful country, with so much to offer and which I quickly fell in love with. Since having my daughter I’ve come to appreciate it even more. It’s a great place to bring up a family, with a low crime rate and easy access to the countryside. My daughter goes to a local school and children here grow up multi-lingual, which will be a huge benefit to her when she’s older.
The job market is very competitive; what attracted you to the Aztec Group?
I had friends working at Aztec and from talking to them I realised that this was a company I would love to work for. The atmosphere and camaraderie are very different to other corporate environments. On top of this, at Aztec you feel regularly rewarded for working hard. The company ensures employees can celebrate the work they’ve achieved with their co-workers, which is noticeable compared with other places I have worked where it isn’t always the norm. Employees’ families are also included in the fun, and we have regular family-friendly events throughout the year topped off with a fantastic children’s party at Christmas time!
Niklas – Fund Administrator
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you moved to Luxembourg?
I’m from Stockholm and I have a Master’s degree in business administration from Linköping University. After graduation I worked for a few large banks in Sweden, but I really wanted to work in an international environment. I liked the fact Luxembourg is so well located for travel to other European countries. We are within two hours of most major European capitals, so it’s easy to get away for the weekend if you want to. I joined Aztec here in March 2019.
The job market is very competitive; what attracted you to the Aztec Group?
Aztec’s focus on continued professional development really appealed to me. You’re encouraged to study for professional qualifications, and the in-house Aztec Academy provides a huge variety of both technical and soft skills training. It’s possible to progress your career here very quickly if you have the willingness to study and work hard, and this was very attractive to me.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I haven’t been bored for a second since I started! Every day is different, and you’re encouraged to continue to deepen your skills and knowledge within your field. It’s not just professional development either – there are language courses on offer too, which really helps with personal growth and settling in. I have colleagues from every continent in my department. Working daily among so many cultures is amazing, you can really learn so much about the world.
We’re looking for bright new talent to join our Luxembourg team. If you’re feeling inspired to make the move, take a look at our latest vacancies here, or get in touch with our friendly recruitment team at careers@aztecgroup.eu to find out more!
Want to know more? Janusz recently spoke to Luxembourg for Finance along with other Luxembourg professionals to discuss his relocation and experience – you can watch the full video below.
