Women’s revolution in finance
Inside Barclays Italia with Rossella Bellini, Head of International Corporate Banking
ENGLISH VERSION
For the eighteenth issue of EmpowHER, we had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Rossella Bellini, currently Head of International Corporate Banking at Barclays in Italy, and the protagonist of a career shaped by motivation, analytical rigor, and a strong international outlook.
Her path began to take shape during her years at Bocconi University, where she developed the inclination toward the quantitative side of economics and had the opportunity to study alongside highly distinguished professors. Yet it was not academics alone that shaped her trajectory: early in her career, a series of encounters turns out to be decisive for increasingly conscious professional choices.
Alongside her academic background, one defining trait emerged from the outset: curiosity. “I have always loved traveling, meeting different cultures, and maintaining an open mindset that allows me not to judge,” she explains. Over time, this inclination translated into a rich and formative international career. From Japan to London, each experience broadened her perspective, strengthening her ability to navigate complex environments and adapt to constantly evolving scenarios.
What has guided her journey is not only professional ambition, but also a solid compass of values and a strong sense of responsibility which have been constant principles, paired with a mindset she describes as being “entrepreneurs of ourselves”: an approach that calls for proactivity, vision, and the ability to build, over time, something better than what one initially encountered.
The conversation then shifted to her work: International Corporate Banking, which represents one of the most strategic points of connection between a bank’s global dimension and the needs of large companies. It is not simply about offering financial products, but about building a relational infrastructure capable of supporting complex clients, such as large corporations and financial institutions, in increasingly interconnected contexts. For these clients, value lies in access to integrated solutions and in the bank’s ability to activate its global network: corporate banking thus becomes the gateway to a true ecosystem.
Her role operates on two levels: recurring and relationship-driven activities, such as cash management, lending, trade finance, factoring, hedging foreign-exchange and interest-rate risk, and coordination with the Bank’s other divisions, in particular investment banking and global markets. What emerges is the bridge role between products, expertise, and client needs. An equally important aspect of her job is managing a highly qualified team, with whom she spends most of her time in the office and during frequent business trips. “Teamwork is a fundamental element of this role, and I place particular importance on strengthening and valuing the ‘we’”, she explains.
From Ms. Bellini’s words, the decision-making complexity of the role clearly emerges. Corporate banking is, above all, about managing balances between client and bank, risk and opportunity, speed and rigor. “In our work, we are always managing a series of tensions,” she notes. This dynamic is amplified in an international context, where operating within an international bank means working according to global platforms and frameworks, while adapting them to the specific needs and dynamics of local markets. In this scenario, the challenge becomes strategic: the environment is constantly evolving, and the goal remains to “stay relevant for our clients.” The relationship with the customer is the focus of the business, organization is continuously evolving to meet the needs brought about by changes such as AI, digital transformation, and the geopolitical context.
In such a multifaceted field, the required skill set reflects the complex nature of the role. A strong technical background alone is not enough; what truly makes the difference is the ability to navigate complexity and quickly adapt one’s approach. Determination, curiosity, and teamwork become essential tools, alongside the energy and motivation needed to sustain demanding workloads. This is an environment where skills are never static, and where developing an open and flexible mindset is key.
What stands out most clearly in her approach, however, is her refusal to be guided by emotion or by market noise. Even in the most turbulent phases, the goal is not to react impulsively, but to build robust and diversified portfolios. Market consensus is considered, but never followed automatically. Experience and analysis remain the real points of reference.
Within this context, the topic of opportunities in the sector also emerges. Ms. Bellini highlights how, compared to the past, there are now greater opportunities for women, thanks to “increased respect and greater awareness of these issues.”
However, the balance between personal life and career remains one of the central challenges in professional development. “As you move into positions of greater responsibility, there are undoubtedly sacrifices to be made that not everyone may be willing to make. This is a key aspect to the level of work-life balance that each person chooses based on their own needs and motivations,” she observes.
Finally, addressing younger generations, Ms. Bellini underscores the importance of truly understanding one’s own inclinations and recognizing one’s strengths and skills when choosing a career path. The aim is to answer a question as simple as it is complex: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
From this perspective, direct engagement with professionals and professors becomes essential, along with actively seeking information about different career opportunities.
Her message to young female professionals about to enter the workforce is clear and impactful: be proactive, motivated and determined, do not fear challenges or confrontation, and approach every situation with an “active mindset,” open to change and continuous growth.