Having now over 15 years experience, I began my career in the alternatives sector calculating net asset values for hedge funds in Dublin straight out of university. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to gain experience in defining facets of the financial industry such as a financial services vendor, in the buy-side and most recently sell-side firms. My career has taken me around the world to global conferences, speaking engagements, and both learning and teaching opportunities while being based out of Ireland, the UK and then South Africa. The more I have learned over my career, the more doors to learning have opened in the truly infinite financial industry. I believe that when aspiring industry professionals embrace the challenge to constantly learn and improve themselves, they reap the benefits many times over. This philosophy can often transcend work and lead to a healthy and rewarding balance between a challenging career and personal life.
Mastering the CAIA curriculum was one of the challenges which brought together practicality and theory behind the alternatives industry, which has always been a large part of my career, plus the utmost commitment to professionalism. Alternative investments are incredible drivers of the global economy and by nature have often brought my most interesting work across risk and valuations, from real estate to credit derivatives and so much in between. CAIA also enlightened me to many complexities underlying the alternatives industry, driving curiosity and demystifying concepts. Being part of the global CAIA community keeps me abreast of global industry trends and connects me with a trusted network of professionals and leaders in the field.
Outside of work, I volunteer as the Chairman of a non-profit organisation chapter here in Johannesburg, Business Ireland Southern Africa, enabling business and investment opportunities between Ireland and Southern Africa and our members in both countries. We have recently seen a large increase in exciting, innovative, and sustainable business possibilities in Southern Africa from Irish companies which I’m sure will have a very positive impact on the continent in the coming years, so watch this space! I also volunteer as a mentor for students to help them navigate the career and educational possibilities available to them. Being able to do this on virtual platforms has enabled mentoring, an invaluable resource to students and young professionals, to be much more accessible for time-poor executives. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness young people opening doors to their futures and embracing the opportunities presented to them!
I’m currently a Risk Specialist within the Global Markets division at Rand Merchant Bank in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to this I was the Head of Counterparty Credit Risk (CCR) at Barclays Africa and Absa covering CCR measurement and concepts across 10 African countries after successfully migrating the Emerging Markets Valuations team at Barclays from London to South Africa. In addition to the CAIA designation, I hold certificates in Financial Sector Development and Inclusion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Global Business from Harvard Business School Online, a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a master’s degree in Finance.