S. Gili first worked as an administrative agent in the USA in 1975, before joining the financial sector at the Banca Popolare di Novara group in Turin in 1977. He was noticed for his skills and was later transferred to several subsidiaries of the group as a Forex specialist (Dresdner Bank, in Frankfurt and Stuttgart, and Italian International Bank, in London).
In 1984, he joined the Luxembourg branch of the Banca Popolare di Novara group as a Forex trader for four years.
In 1988, he worked for Eni International Bank in Monaco as Head of Treasury, then became Director of Operations in 1992.
In 1999, soon after its establishment, he joined Financial Strategy.