LSE Focal Point Podcast

Join us for an insightful episode at Focal Point with Nadine Mirchandani, Global Deputy Vice Chair, Strategy & Transactions at EY. With 25+ years of experience in strategy and M&A. Nadine has worked extensively in the Americas and Europe, advising companies on their strategy and capital agendas to foster long-term value. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University at Kings...

Join us for an amazing episode at Focal Point with Moritz Kraemer, Chief Economist and Head of Research at LBBW. Formerly Chief Analyst for Sovereign Ratings at S&P Global, Dr. Kraemer is also a Senior Fellow at SOAS University of London and teaches at Goethe-University Frankfurt, CIFE in Nice, and Humboldt University Berlin. Recorded in February, 2024

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Garry Evans, Chief Strategist for Global Asset Allocation at BCA Research. Garry brings extensive experience from roles such as Managing Director at HSBC and Editor of Euromoney Magazine, supported by academic achievements including a Master's in Asian Studies from Cambridge University and postgraduate studies in...

Join us for another incredible episode of Focal Point featuring Chip Virnig, Partner at Thoma Bravo's Flagship team. With a background in investment banking at Merrill Lynch, Chip joined Thoma Bravo in 2008. He has been instrumental in developing the firm's infrastructure and cybersecurity practices, leading to one of the largest private equity cybersecurity portfolios. Chip is a Brown Uni...

Join us on Focal Point for an exciting episode featuring Katharina Neureiter, Co-Head of Global Sustainability at Carlyle. With a background in public policy and experience at British International Investment, Katharina has spearheaded enhanced impact and ESG practices. She holds a Bachelor’s in Cultural History from the University of Augsburg, a Master’s in History of International Relations from...

Join us for a wonderful episode at Focal Point featuring George Robson, Partner at Sequoia Capital. With a background in investment banking at Morgan Stanley's UK & Ireland Coverage team, and as a former Senior Product Owner at Revolut, George is an LSE alumni from the Economics Class of 2016. He was also the President of the LSESU Investment Society, which merged into our society, the LSE...

Join us for another captivating episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Lars Faeste, the Chairman of EMEA at FTI Consulting. Before his current role, Lars joined BCG where he led several successful programs. Lars holds an Engineering degree from the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, and an M.B.A. from the Rotterdam School of Management at the Erasmus University in the Netherlands....

Join us for another outstanding episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Sandeep Walia, the COO for Marriott International in the Middle East, where he oversees the operations of over 230 hotels and more than 110 properties in the pipeline across 12 countries. Prior to his current role, Sandeep attained an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University an...

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Jorge Padilla, the EMEA Chair at Compass Lexecon. Jorge has contributed numerous papers on competition policy, industrial organisation, intellectual property, and finance. He currently teaches at the Toulouse School of Economics, and he obtained a PhD in Economics from the University of Oxford. Recorded in February 20...

Join us for another excellent episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Per Breuer, the Senior Partner and Head of Global HR at Roland Berger. Per pursued Business Administration and Management at the University of Hamburg, and also holds a BSc in International Management from the LSE. Recorded in February 2024.

Join us for another incredible episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Richard Oldfield, the CFO of Schroders. Before joining Schroders, Richard was a partner for 20 years at PwC, before his role as Global Markets Leader at PwC, where he led all market-facing activities, initiatives, and strategy. Richard also obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of York. Recor...

Join us for another superb episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Judy Hsu, the CEO for Consumer, Private and Business Banking at Standard Chartered. Before her current role, Judy was appointed as the CEO for Singapore and subsequently the Regional CEO for ASEAN & South Asia, she also spent 18 years at Citibank. Judy holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, as well as an MBA i...

Join us for another phenomenal episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Miguel Toney, Partner at CVC Credit. Prior to his current role, he worked in investment banking at Credit Suisse and PIMCO before going into Private Credit at MV Credit and Park Square Capital. Miguel holds a Bachelor’s in Economics and International Politics from Vassar College in New York and obtained his MBA from...

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Chris Knight, the Group Chief Risk Officer at Legal & General. Prior to his current role, he was CEO of Legal & General Retail Retirement (LGRR) for three years. Chris holds a first-class Bachelor of Arts in Economics, graduating from King’s College, Cambridge. Recorded in February 2024.

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Eric Hazan, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. Before his current role, Eric had a rich background in consulting, and also worked in marketing and consumer goods at Kraft Jacobs and Danone. As a member of the McKinsey Global Institute Council, which advises on MGI’s business, economic, and technology research,...

Join us for another brilliant episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Nik Morandi, the Head of Strategic Partners Europe and a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone. Before his current role, he started his career in M&A at Societe Generale and UBS. In 2007, he started his journey in the Secondaries field at Pantheon Ventures, as a Partner and a member of the firm’s global secondar...

Join us for another exciting episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Peter L. Scher, the Vice Chairman of JPMorgan Chase. Prior to his current role, he was Managing Partner at Mayer Brown’s Washington, D.C. office and Head of Corporate Responsibility and Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Region at JPMorgan Chase. Peter holds a bachelor’s from American University and a J.D. from American Uni...

Join us for another phenomenal episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Jim Covello, the Global Co-Head of Single Stock Research at Goldman Sachs. Prior to his current role, he worked in investment banking at Smith Barney and SG Cowen. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in American Government from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College. Recorded in Decembe...

Join us for another fantastic episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by David Theys, Managing Director at Houlihan Lokey. Prior to his current role, he had over 25 years of experience in investment banking and corporate finance, working at leading institutions including J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Merill Lynch and holding managing director and partner positions at prestigious boutiques....

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Eunice Zhu, Executive Director and Head of Counterparty Risk Trading at SMBC Nikko Capital Markets, a branch of the Japanese mega bank SMBC. Prior to her current role, she held similar positions at RBC Capital Markets and UniCredit Bank. Eunice holds a bachelor’s degree in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics fro...

Join us for another brilliant episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Stuart Cash, the Founder and CEO at Y TREE. Prior to his current role, he started out his career as a solicitor before becoming Executive Director at investment bank SBC Warburg, and Partner at Goldman Sachs. Stuart holds a M.A. in Law from the University of Cambridge. Recorded in December 2023.

Join us for another exceptional episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Victor Haghani, the Founder of Elm Wealth. Prior to his current role, he was a founding partner of Long-Term Capital Management (one of the largest hedge funds in the world prior to its collapse) and Managing Director at Salomon Brothers. Victor is an LSE alumni, holding a bachelor’s degree in Economics and recentl...

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Alistair Wittet, Portfolio Manager at Comgest. Prior to his current role, he worked at various financial institutions including Citi and abrdn. Alistair holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Durham University. Recorded in November 2023.

Join us for another phenomenal episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Simon Ridpath, Managing Partner at Charles Russell Speechlys. Prior to his current role, he handled a variety of legal matters including insolvency law early in his career. Simon holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Kent. Recorded in November 2023.

Join us for another fantastic episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Carmen Alonso, the Head of UK and Iberia at Tikehau Capital. Prior to her current role, she was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and Vice President of GSK’s Corporate Finance practice. Carmen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Management from Boston University School of Management, obtained h...