Pavel Vyhnalek

I was born in communist Czechoslovakia to two veterinarians. Yet, from a young age, I was more intrigued by steam locomotives and cars than animals. When I was 13, I disassembled my father’s old Skoda and then re-assembled it. To my surprise, the car ran even better than before, and for the rest of my schooling years, I earned my pocket money by repairing cars.

Owing to my love for automobiles, I thought I would pursue a career as an engine designer. Instead, life led me down a different path. Looking back, I strongly believe that when life presents you with a fork in the road, the two paths are often vastly different. It’s up to you to see that as an opportunity or a threat, and you can then make the best of your chosen route.

While at a technical university, I was given the opportunity to also study foreign trade financing. My professor had inspired me so much that I changed my goal and decided my dream job would be to work for her. I applied to the bank she worked at, but was turned down. I didn’t let that dampen my spirit. Instead, I applied again and again, even turning down offers from other banks until I finally received one from my professor’s bank.

During the same period, I was offered work at the World Expo in Spain, and even with no clear path back to my dream job, I decided to take the leap and go to Spain. I did not know what to expect as I never worked abroad, especially in western countries, and was not a finance person. It was a tough year, but I learned a lot. The experience taught me to be resilient, to believe in myself, and to continuously pursue growth opportunities. 

Luckily enough, after the World Expo ended, I was able to return to the Czech Republic and work for my professor. I have since spent over 30 years in financial services, holding multiple C-suite roles at KBC, GE Capital, and also as a partner at PPF, building up the Home Credit franchise.

I have worked in both retail and corporate banking, turned around businesses, and built multiple startups across four continents. I truly enjoy working with people who come from different backgrounds and cultures. I believe that diverse teams bring to light diverse opportunities. This diversity often means a variation in thought that gives teams an edge in choosing the best opportunities and being able to execute them well. I believe that excellence in execution is what differentiates successful people from the rest.