Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Providing assurance to senior management that the portfolios run by First State Investments are managed according to their investment objectives and risk profiles.

Analysing investment portfolios and capabilities to understand the drivers of performance.
Implementing risk and performance reporting on portfolios and products.
Reporting to Boards and Committees on investment capabilities and performance and risk.
Hedging key risks that impact on the firm's balance sheet.
Ensuring that investment risk monitoring complies with regulations.

Working with smart people. Everyday brings a challenge and the chance to learn something new.

The fact that in finance the problem can never be solved. You can never create a good enough model of reality because reality is constantly changing.

It is an area that uses my mathematical and analytical background but also requires strong communication and management skills.

I use the understanding of the practical aspects of mathematical modelling that I developed while studying for my PhD.

I have received lots of training into the background of financial markets, financial instruments, economics and regulatory aspects.

2000 - 2009 - Working in Hedge Funds, first as a quantitative programmer, then as a portfolio manager and then in risk management.

During this time I completed the CFA, FRM and CAIA qualifications.

2009 - 2014 - Head of Portfolio Risk Management at Kames Capital.

2014 - present - Head of Global Investment Assurance at First State Investments.

Setting up a world leading Investment Assurance function that blends both qualitative and quantitative analysis to understand the true performance and risk drivers of investment portfolios.

Go with what you love and don't worry too much about planning a career, that will happen.