In this first edition of our ‘NextGen spotlight’ series, we speak to Petra Felgueiras, Assistant Manager in our Corporate Services Jersey team. In this Q&A, she shares some insight into her career journey so far, including her role and responsibilities, her proudest achievements to date, the experiences that have shaped her development and where she hopes her career might take her next.
Petra, tell us a little bit about your role?
I’m an Assistant Manager within Hawksford’s Corporate Services team, having transitioned from Funds after four years to pursue my strong interest in real estate. A significant part of my role involves supporting a large residential property in the UK, where I work closely with Building Safety Act requirements, governance, remediation projects and stakeholder management. This has given me valuable experience in a complex and evolving regulatory environment. What I enjoy most, however, is the human element of the role – bringing people together to solve complex challenges and help drive positive outcomes.
So, what attracted you to Hawksford? And what other parts of your role do you enjoy most?
What attracted me to Hawksford was the opportunity to build a long-term career in a growing business, while learning from talented people across different teams and jurisdictions. From the beginning, it felt like a place where I could continue developing, take on new challenges and be supported to grow. As I say, the part of my role I enjoy most is solving complex problems and bringing people together to find practical solutions. No two days are the same, which keeps things interesting. I particularly enjoy looking at how processes can be improved, whether that's through technology, automation or simply finding a better way of doing things. Seeing a difficult project move forward and knowing you've helped make a positive difference is incredibly rewarding.
What's been your proudest professional moment or achievement so far?
Winning the Jersey Finance Rising Star Award for Corporate Services in 2026 was definitely a standout moment for me. It was particularly special because it recognised not only the work I’ve done in my role, but also my wider approach to learning, development and contributing to the industry. On a day-to-day level, though, I’m also proud of how much I’ve grown in confidence since joining Hawksford. Taking on more responsibility, working on areas such as the Building Safety Act, and becoming more involved in process improvement have all pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I’ve developed professionally in a relatively short period of time.
Where would you like your career to be in ten years' time?
In ten years’ time, I'd like to be in a position where I'm leading people and helping to shape the direction of the business, while continuing to learn. I don't have a specific job title in mind, as I've learnt that some of the best opportunities are the ones you never planned for. What matters most to me is continuing to challenge myself, taking opportunities when they arise, and building on the experience I've gained so far. I'd love to be mentoring and supporting others in their own careers, just as I've been supported throughout mine. If I can look back and say I've made a positive impact, kept learning and helped others grow along the way, I'd consider that a success.
If you could improve one thing about the way our industry operates, what would it be?
It would be how quickly we embrace technology. I've always enjoyed finding better, more efficient ways of working, and I genuinely find tools like AI exciting because of the time they can save and the value they can add. Financial services will always need expertise, judgement and strong governance, but I think technology can help remove repetitive tasks and allow people to focus on more meaningful work. I'd also love to see more encouragement for people at all levels to share ideas and challenge existing processes. Some of the best improvements come from simply asking, “Is there a better way to do this?”
If you weren’t in your current role, what else do you think you might be doing?
I think I'd probably be doing something quite different! I've always loved being outdoors, travelling and exploring, so I could imagine myself working in something connected to hiking, adventure or travel. I also have a very creative side. A couple of years ago, I spent a lot of time sketching and even designing tattoo artwork for people, so I always liked the idea of pursuing something artistic. I'm not sure I could pick just one, though. I think I'd need a job that gave me plenty of variety and allowed me to be creative. I suppose there's a bit of a theme there: I like learning, exploring and doing things that keep me interested – whether that's in a boardroom or somewhere much closer to the mountains!
Our NextGen spotlight series celebrates emerging talent across Hawksford. Through conversations with colleagues from across our global business, the series explores their career journeys, experiences and ambitions, offering a closer look at the people helping to shape Hawksford’s future.
