Thomas Konitzer: from Bremer Landesbank to Eastern Africa
1. In which institution of the Sparkassen Finance Group did you start your career and what brought you to the Sparkasse?
I started as a trainee at Bremer Landesbank Kreditanstalt Oldenburg - Girozentrale. The noticeably good working atmosphere and the openness right from the selection process for trainees convinced me at the time to take the job.
2. How long did you work for this institution? Please describe your Sparkassen-career briefly.
I stayed with Bremer Landesbank for a total of 18 years. After completing my training, I started as a business customer advisor. Following my studies at the training institute of the German Sparkassen Academy, I was able to help set up the business area “management for private and business customers”. Shortly afterwards I was able to help set up the corporate development department, in effect the bank's internal management consultancy.
I then took on the role of assistant to the Board of Management and personal advisor to the Chairman of the Bank's Board of Management, then deputy HR manager, and finally I worked as head of the Organization/Informatics department.
3. When did you start your career at German Sparkassenstiftung and what motivated you to work in international cooperation?
I started to work at German Sparkassenstiftung in 2012. My biggest motivation was to be able to use the skills I had acquired at the Landesbank to do more for socially disadvantaged people. Working in an international environment and in a culture that was previously foreign to me added an extra attraction.
4. What valuable experience have you taken with you from your work at Sparkassen Finance Group to your project region?
For a project to be successful, you need a reliable network - I learned that at the Landesbank Bremen and transferred it to my work at German Sparkassenstiftung. Another key takeaway was that the implementation of well-thought-out, holistic concepts is more successful than implementing individual measures with straw-fire effects.
Finally, my broad practical experience at the Landesbank, from credit business to bank controlling and project management, provides a solid foundation for my work with German Sparkassenstiftung's partners.
You can find out more about our projects in Africa here.
