The global financial services industry is in the midst of a perfect storm; investment banking fees are dwindling and job cuts are rife, investors are scrambling for safe havens in volatile markets, fears of a sovereign debt crisis persist, and tough new regulation is adding to uncertainty across the sector.

The mood among market participants would therefore be expected to be a gloomy one and for many these factors will doubtless have been the cause of many sleepless nights. But there will also be others who relish a challenge and thrive under under pressure.