Co-founded in 1996 by Christian Fauvelais and Frederic Mancuso to solve a specific challenge in benchmark data management, Rimes has grown into a global provider of data and intelligence solutions for capital markets.
Today, its Intelligence Fabric for Capital Markets connects a network of more than 1,000 data partners and billions of data points daily, supporting over 400 institutional clients representing more than US$75 trillion in assets under management.
Elena Aristodemou, Office Manager at Rimes Cyprus, explains that Cyprus has become an important part of that growth. The company now employs 106 people, up from 66 three years ago. Its Nicosia office is involved in client services, software engineering, data development and operations, professional services, product, finance operations, FP&A, HR and talent acquisition.
“Rimes has been in Cyprus for two decades, and today the office covers almost every function,” says Marios Ioannou, Head of Rimes Cyprus. “As Rimes has grown, Cyprus’ office has grown with it, mainly because of the talent we have built here and the quality of the work coming out of this office. Cyprus is not just somewhere Rimes has a presence – it is where Rimes lives and grows,” he adds
For Elena Aristodemou, the company’s culture is defined by trust and empowerment. “Seniority does not determine who gets listened to,” she explains, while the values of client excellence, innovation, integrity and empowerment shape how people work. “That philosophy is reflected in the careers developed in Nicosia, with several employees who started as graduates now holding global or multi-regional leadership positions,” she adds.
Learning and development are central to that progression. In 2019, the Nicosia office was the first to launch the Rimes Graduate Programme, which now operates in several locations globally. Graduates progress through assessment days into Rimes University, the company’s internal education function, combining hands-on projects with blended learning. Regular global knowledge-sharing sessions cover how teams operate as well as practical AI and technology use cases, while Rimes also sponsors professional qualifications including the CFA and CIPM.
The Nicosia workplace reflects the same emphasis on collaboration. Its open-plan design allows colleagues to exchange knowledge in real time, while conference rooms, meeting rooms and private phone booths provide space for focused work and confidential conversations. Across both floors, kitchens and verandas encourage informal interaction between teams, helping build relationships and generate new ideas. “Employees particularly value being able to collaborate in person and spend time with colleagues in an environment where their operational needs are taken care of,” Aristodemou tells GOLD.
Employee feedback is also gathered formally and regularly. Quarterly engagement surveys are complemented by semi-annual performance reviews, Ask Me Anything sessions, monthly ExCo standups, team meetings and townhalls.
Trust also shapes the company’s approach to work-life balance. As Aristodemou puts it, “a policy that employees do not feel able to use is not really a benefit.” So, Rimes operates a hybrid arrangement with 40% office time and focuses on output rather than hours spent at a desk. Employees receive 26 days of annual leave, paid sick leave, parental leave arrangements and study leave for those working towards professional qualifications.
The wider rewards package includes family medical insurance, a provident fund and an annual bonus, but some of the most appreciated parts of daily office life are simpler: breakfast and snacks, Smoothie Fridays and barbecue days. Employees can also join initiatives including mental health committees and Illuminate, Rimes’ women’s network. Volunteering leave allows them to support causes through activities such as blood donation drives and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Aristodemou notes: “Being an attractive employer ultimately requires more than offering a competitive package. It is about the overall experience and creating a company that cares for its people and recognises that its success comes through theirs.”
Marios Ioannou agrees and adds: “Being a pioneer in this industry only happens with innovative ideas, superior technology and great people.” He points to the recently launched Intelligence Fabric and the contribution made by teams around the world, including Cyprus, as an example of that combination. “Technology enables and accelerates but it is people that make a company great,” he adds. “After 18 years at Rimes, that is still what keeps me here.”
(Photos by TASPHO)
This interview first appeared in the September edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
