Having just passed her seven year anniversary with Copia, we asked our Head of Operations, Marina Contato to take some time out of her busy day to reflect on her time with us.
Going back seven years – how did you start working at Copia? What were you doing before?
In 2016, I moved to London after my husband was transferred from his job in Brazil to the office here. Once we settled in, I spent some time studying English and getting used to life in a new country, which was an adventure on its own.
After that, I resumed my career in financial services, joining the South Korean firm Mirae Asset Global Investments, where I was responsible for trade settlement and reconciliations. Then, in April 2019, I joined Copia.
What was Copia like when you started and how has the business changed?
Copia has changed a lot over the last seven years. When I first joined, the team was made up of just five people. As the business grew and we welcomed more clients each year, the team naturally expanded as well. Over time, we hired more portfolio managers and analysts and built a dedicated Copia Sales team.
It’s been fantastic to see the company grow organically, improve the service we provide to existing clients, attract new ones, and expand our product range along the way.
What does your typical day look like now?
When I joined Copia, I started on the investment side of the business, where my days followed a more structured routine. However, since moving into Operations in 2022, I can honestly say there is no such thing as a “typical day”.
Each day is different and usually involves a mix of overseeing operational processes, managing our platforms and technology providers, supporting the Investment and Compliance teams, and leading internal operational projects. It definitely keeps things interesting!
What aspect of your time here are you most proud of?
I believe that being able to contribute to Copia’s overall growth is what makes me most proud. Being part of this journey, from the early days to where we are now, has been incredibly rewarding.
If you weren’t working for Copia would do you think you’d be doing instead?
Travelling around the world and being a travel blogger sounds like a pretty good alternative career to me!
Have you got any tips for people who’ve just started working in the financial services sector?
Be curious and always be willing to learn. Invest in your communication skills, build your network, and – most importantly – be a nice person to everyone. It really does make a difference!
Away from work, what’s your ethos when it comes to money and looking after your finances?
I’ve always believed that managing money is ultimately about balance – planning for the future while still enjoying the present. For me, it’s less about chasing short‑term gains and more about being consistent and disciplined.
I try to keep things simple: spend consciously, save regularly, and invest with a long‑term mindset. It’s about staying calm through market ups and downs and focusing on the bigger picture rather than short‑term noise.
What’s worth spending more money on?
I would say experiences, especially travel. Travel gives you a different perspective, helps you adapt to new situations, and creates memories that last much longer than material purchases.
And I also believe it’s worth spending a bit more on things that genuinely improve your daily life, whether that’s comfort, quality, or something that saves you time.
