Prudential People - Roshen Harry

Meet Roshen Harry, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager  

Tell us why you enjoy your role at Prudential.

I’ve been working at Pru for over 13-and-a-half years now. I’ve always had a fascination with financial markets, and working at the coal face of debt markets gives me a great sense of satisfaction. Alongside this, working with smart people is very humbling, and learning from them gives me great pleasure.  

If you weren’t a portfolio manager, what job would you like to have?

A dealmaker at an investment bank. 

A recent favourite read?

I drew great inspiration from psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. He was a Holocaust survivor, and in this book outlines his learnings of the human spirit under the most extreme and degrading of conditions. He concludes that life is not primarily a quest for pleasure or a quest for power, but a quest for meaning. He believes that in order to overcome painful experiences one needs to find a “why” or a sense of meaning in one’s life. To quote: “A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the ‘why’ for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any ‘how’.” 

An ideal evening is…

Arriving home after a great workout, spending quality time with my kids and putting them to bed after some storytelling. 

What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

I was an article clerk at an auditing firm. I realised I did not want to practice as an auditor or an accountant. 

What is your number-one bucket-list activity?

I used to be a keen motorcyclist, and in the current stage of my life I’ve hung up my riding gear. I hope that I can ride in future and again experience the joy of riding on and off the track. 

One thing you’re glad you tried, but would never do again? 

Jumping off a bridge. Some friends convinced me that this was great fun.

Where do you usually spend Saturday afternoons?

I’m at the bike park at Uitsig in Constantia where I can sit back and relax while my kids ride their bicycles, or at some other kids’ venue; a party or the park. 

Best advice you ever received?

If someone’s behaviour is not going to affect you in a year from now don’t let it bother you. For example, I don’t get annoyed when a taxi cuts in front of me. 

Who is your hero and why?

My twin boys for their unconditional love.  

What you want to be remembered for?

Having raised my children to become good human beings.