Sandra Legrand is the CEO of Alter Domus, a fast-growing fund administration and financial services company. As a young graduate, Sandra joined the auditing ranks at PWC Luxembourg, where she stayed for 14 years. She joined Alter Domus in 2013 as country manager and became regional manager for Europe--overseeing 12 countries, including the group’s headquarters in Luxembourg--in 2016. A member of the Luxembourg Order of Chartered Accountants (Ordre des experts-comptables du Luxembourg) since 2003, Legrand has been a company auditor since 2008.

Aurélie Boob: What is your favourite restaurant in the grand duchy?

: , in Contern. It’s a friendly starred restaurant with refined cuisine based on local produce. They also have a ‘surprise’ wine list that you have to discover by tasting them. A nice concept!

A good place for a brunch in Luxembourg?

I never brunch in Luxembourg, because I live in Belgium, not very close to the border and I spend my Sundays there.

What is your favourite cocktail, and how, or on what occasion do you enjoy it?

As a Belgian, I prefer a good specialty beer. It would be more in a friendly setting, at an event with colleagues to introduce them to .

Are you a tea or a coffee drinker, and tell us about the moment when you take one or the other?

More coffee. My favourite is in the morning, when I get up very early and have it in my kitchen with breakfast. I’m not a coffee addict, I don’t drink more than two a day.

Goodbye suit, hello jumper

Have professional dress codes become a thing of the past?

Yes, they have. Especially after 21 months of teleworking. I encourage my teams to wear correct, casual clothes, without coming to the office in flip flops... The suit and tie doesn’t make you work better!

Do you have a favourite fashion designer, stylist or brand?

I hate shopping, I’m terrible at fashion. When I go shopping, I go to a maximum of two shops and come back... I don’t have a dressing room to dream about! My style is rather classic.

What do you think is the most unforgivable fashion mistake?

I’m not sure there are any faults of taste... It’s everyone’s freedom. I probably make them for others, but it’s not a problem.

What was the last piece you added to your wardrobe?

A big wool jumper. It’s my favourite weekend wear.

Open spaces rather than cities

What is your dream destination and why?

I backpacked around the world in 2006 and spent two weeks with a Mongolian family in their yurt. People who have nothing and who still give the little they have. It was a trip that made me think a lot about the notion of superfluousness. I would like to take my children there today.

Are there any places that make you uncomfortable?

I come from the countryside and I still live there. Maybe a very big city with a lot of noise and traffic. After a few days, I feel oppressed.

Is there a character or someone who inspires you on a daily basis, and why?

The person who inspires me the most is my mother. A woman who didn’t study or work, but who is very attentive and open to differences. She gave everything she could to help others grow. In my work, I try to have this same simplicity and attention to others.

What’s a language tic you hate?

My eight-year-old daughter had to listen to the lyrics of a song and sometimes says ‘wesh’ instead of ‘yes’. I hate that because she doesn’t understand what she’s saying...

Successful living is... 

It’s about being fulfilled every day, enjoying what you have and feeling free in what you do.

Plug in the guitars

Are you more of a bookstore or Amazon person?

Bookstore! I don’t like shopping, but I can spend hours in bookshops and that’s where I spend the most. I like to discover new authors, I have a soft spot for French literature, whatever it is: thrillers, intrigues, feel good novels etc...

A film that particularly touched you and why?

I never go to the cinema and I don’t watch television. I already have too many screens in front of my eyes every day.

A favourite artist or band?

I like good, big rock like  and . I also like .

Do you play an instrument or do any artistic activities?

I played guitar for 11 years, but I stopped a long time ago. If I had time, I would like to learn an instrument at the same time as my children.

Do you play any sports, and what kind?

I love walking. Every weekend near my home and in the mountains with my family every summer. When I was younger I used to go trekking, I went to Reunion, Corsica and Costa Rica among other places.