Trinity SMF Podcast
By Trinity Student Managed Fund
The Trinity SMF was founded in November 2010 and currently has a membership base of over 1,800 students. It set a precedent in Europe as the first student managed fund in the region. When the fund was founded in 2010, it had €30,000 AUM, in the years since, we have seen the fund grow to over €500,000 AUM.
Trinity SMF PodcastFeb 11, 2021
CEO of INFICON: Learn about a TSMF holding and the CEO
Oliver Wyrsch is the CEO of INFICON, a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and advanced process control software that enhance productivity and quality in sophisticated industrial vacuum processes. Oliver holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and Business Administration from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH). He started his professional career in 2004 as management consultant with Accenture and Booz & Co. Before joining INFICON in 2018 as President and General Manager of the US Business, he served seven years in various functions at Mettler Toledo in Germany and the USA – last as Head of the Strategic Business Unit Machine Vision Inspection. Oliver Wyrsch became President & CEO of INFICON in January 2023.
CEO of Bank of America Europe: A Career in Banking
Fernando Vicario is CEO of Bank of America’s lead European banking entity, Bank of America Europe DAC. He was appointed Chair of the Federation of International Banks in Ireland (FIBI) for a two-year tenure in 2023. Fernando was formerly head of Corporate and Investment Banking for the European Union and head of Corporate Banking for Europe, Middle East and Africa, at BofA Securities. For over 25 years he has worked across multiple roles for Bank of America including head of Corporate Banking for Financial Institutions in Europe and Emerging Markets (ex-Asia), head of EMEA Global Product Solutions, head of EMEA and Latin America Corporate Banking and co-head of EMEA Debt Capital Markets and Corporate Banking.
Fernando sits on the EMEA regional executive committee; the Global Diversity & Inclusion Council; co-chair of Bank of America’s EMEA D&I Council and co- leads the EMEA Sustainability Strategic Council. Fernando serves as a director on the Board of the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) and of ODI (Open Doors Initiative) in Dublin.
On the podcast, we delved into Fernando’s almost three-decade journey at Bank of America, exploring achievements, discussed the qualities essential for success in investment banking, and delved into leadership attributes. Shifting to the financial landscape, we assessed trends in the European sector and anticipated challenges, while also examining the transformative impact of digitalization. Fernando also offered fantastic advice for students aspiring to build a career in finance from all backgrounds.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
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For podcast queries, email dimontoe@tcd.ie
CEO of Masterworks: Art as an Asset Class
Scott Lynn is the Founder and CEO of Masterworks, the first platform where investors can buy and trade shares in art. Scott founded his first company at just 15 years old and went on to found, acquire and sell several more companies and tech start-ups throughout his career such as Payability, which has provided more than $6B in financing to e-commerce sellers.
As well as a serial entrepreneur, Scott is one of the U.S.’ top art collectors and has built an internationally-recognized collection of Abstract Expressionism that has included works by Clyfford Still, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, and more. He has lent works to MoMA, The Guggenheim and several other prestigious museums and galleries across the globe. In addition to his role as CEO of Masterworks, Scott currently serves on the board of V2 ventures Payability, and the Brooklyn Rail (a non-profit publication in the art industry).
On the podcast, we explored his entrepreneurial journey and passion for art. From the genesis of Masterworks to the art investment process, Scott shared insights into the dynamic world of art investing. We delved into the economics of art, its consistent outperformance, as well as Scott’s vision for the future of art investing and valuable advice for aspiring start-up entrepreneurs.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email dimontoe@tcd.ie
Charles-Henry Monchau on his career path to CIO, Market Insights & New World Order Trends
Charles-Henry Monchau currently serves as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Syz Group, a distinguished Swiss private bank based in Geneva, Switzerland. Syz Group, established in 1996, is a family-owned Swiss bank that specialises in private banking, asset management, and alternative investments.
Before assuming his role as CIO at Syz Group, Charles-Henry held key positions in other prominent financial institutions. He served as the CIO and Head of Investment Management at Al Mal Capital, led asset allocation and discretionary portfolio management at Deutsche Bank EMEA, held the position of Global CIO at EFG Bank, and gained valuable experience at institutions like BNP Paribas, Lombard Odier, and Rothschild earlier in his career.
Charles-Henry is a recognised authority in the financial industry and is frequently a guest on major financial news networks, including Bloomberg and CNBC. With a substantial following of more than 130,000 on LinkedIn, he is a widely followed figure in the financial markets.
On the podcast, Charles-Henry delved into his early career experiences, shared his insights on market dynamics, discussed Swiss equities, explored the turning point in financial markets and the economy, and provided valuable advice to aspiring students looking to pursue careers in finance.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email dimontoe@tcd.ie
Carl Thoma on investing in software, opportunities in technology, Thoma Bravo’s increased activity in the current market and lessons from past investments
Carl Thoma is a Founder and Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity firm. Thoma Bravo manages over $120 billion of assets and is best known for investing in software and technology businesses.
Carl was a Co-Founder and Managing Director at Golder, Thoma, Cressey, Rauner and its predecessor funds since 1980. He began his career at First Chicago Equity Group where he helped build one of the largest and most active private equity firms in the country.
Carl is an avid art collector and he has received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS degree in Accounting and Agriculture Economics from Oklahoma State University.
Together with his wife Marilynn, Carl runs the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, a grant-making organization dedicated to sharing its collection and supporting museums, projects and individuals pursuing innovative ideas in the visual arts.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Woody Marshall on his VC career, his investment philosophy, his portfolio companies and the tech ecosystem today
Woody Marshall is a General Partner at Technology Crossover Ventures. He joined TCV in 2008 and has been working in the venture capital industry since 1995. He focuses on investments in the FinTech, internet, and the digital media & entertainment industries.
Throughout his career he has invested and partnered with iconic companies such as Netflix, Spotify, Airbnb, HomeAway, Dollar Shave Club and Twilio, to name a few. Prior to joining TCV, Woody spent 12 years at Trident Capital, a venture capital and private equity firm.
Woody has been recognized by Forbes on its Midas List as one of the industry’s top technology investors. He earned his B.A. from Hamilton College and his M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Francesca Whitehead on venture capital, ESG & impact investing and advice for interviews & mentorship
Francesca Whitehead is an investor on the G2 Venture Partners team where she focuses on identifying companies that are applying emerging technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability in traditional industries. Prior to joining G2, Francesca was part of the inaugural team of the KKR Global Impact Fund. Before KKR, Francesca began her career at Goldman Sachs in natural resources investment banking. Outside of work, Francesca is a mentor at Endeavour, Techstars, Third Derivative & New York Fashion Tech Lab, and helped launch the CELI dinner series in New York City. Francesca holds a B.A. in Economics from Brown University and grew up in Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the UK.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Sam Zell on building Equity Group Investments, his investment philosophy, the rise of REITs and markets today
Sam Zell is the Founder and Chairman of Equity Group Investments. He also chairs four companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Sam founded and chaired Equity Office Properties Trust, which was the largest office REIT until its 2007 sale for $39 billion in the largest leveraged buyout at the time.
He is an active philanthropist with a focus on entrepreneurial education. Through the Zell Family Foundation, he has led the sponsorship of several leading entrepreneurship programs, including the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He holds a JD degree and a BA from the University of Michigan. Sam was recognized in 2017 by Forbes as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Nicole Quinn on her experience in venture capital, growing trends such as crypto and super apps, and her experience at Stanford
Nicole Quinn is a General Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners focused on early stage Consumer, Healthcare and FinTech. She has invested in companies such as Calm, Zapp and Haus Laboratories. Nicole earned a BSc in Math and Economics from York University and an MBA from Stanford. She spent almost a decade at Morgan Stanley covering European and US e-commerce, retail and consumer companies. She was an angel investor in healthcare and consumer companies over those years and then went to Nutmeg, a London based FinTech company. She launched her own start-up in business school and this is where she met Lightspeed.
The link to Nicole's blog post on 'The Rise of the Super App' can be found here.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Bryan Meehan on the lessons he learned building three successful companies, Blue Bottle, search funds and opportunities in sustainability
Bryan Meehan is the Executive Chair and former Chief Executive Officer of Blue Bottle Coffee, a global network of ninety nine speciality coffee shops in the US and Asia.
Bryan graduated from Trinity College Dublin and started his career working for Guinness where he became a brand manager. He completed an MBA at Harvard Business School before starting his own company, Fresh & Wild, an organic food store in London. After selling Fresh & Wild to Whole Foods, Bryan started Nude Skincare, an all-natural skincare beauty line. Having sold Nude Skincare to LVMH, Bryan joined Blue Bottle Coffee as Chief Executive Officer. The company was sold to Nestlé in 2017 and Bryan became Executive Chair.
The links to Search Funds mentioned by Bryan during the podcast can be found here: 1) Description, 2) Primer and 3) Case Study.
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This episode is sponsored by Elkstone. Elkstone is a Family Office managing the wealth of its principals, with a focus on Real Estate, Venture Capital and Alternatives, and a Multi-Family Office, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, which provides both access to co-investing in their principal's investment portfolios and wealth management services to many of Ireland's entrepreneurs and High Net Worth Individuals.
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You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Jane Buchan on starting her own fund, her sports background, the most successful funds and diversity
Jane Buchan is the Chief Executive Officer of Martlet Asset Management. Prior to founding Martlet, she co-founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Alternative Asset Management or PAAMCO, a fund of hedge funds. She began her career at JP Morgan Chase in the Capital Markets Group as a quantitative fixed income analyst.
Jane has been an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. She also holds several board positions including AGF Management, Globe Life and Innocap.
Jane has been actively involved in initiatives to advance the careers of women in finance and is a founding Angel for 100 Women in Finance. She has also been recognized with numerous industry honours and awards, including being named to the Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in US Finance 2021. She earned a BA in Economics from Yale University and holds both a PhD and an MA in Business Economics (Finance) from Harvard University.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Michael Lavelle on M&A today, Brexit, SPAC's and his inspiring achievements outside of Citi
Michael Lavelle is Head of Citi’s Banking, Capital Markets & Advisory business in the UK and Ireland.
He is also Vice Chairman of the EMEA BCMA division. Prior to this Michael led Citi’s EMEA Capital Markets business including Equity Capital Markets and Debt Capital Markets. Michael currently sits on the EMEA BCMA Executive Committee.
On this episode, we discuss Michael’s background in investment banking, the current M&A environment, topics such as Brexit and SPAC’s as well as his inspiring achievements outside of Citi.
Please note, this podcast was recorded on the 5th March 2021.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Alison Mass on investment banking, finding your passion, SPAC's and environmental sustainability
Alison Mass is Chairman of the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. She is a member of the Management Committee and IBD Executive Committee. Previously, she was Global Head of the Financial and Strategic Investors Group in the Investment Banking division. Before that, Alison was Co-Head of FSIG in the Americas. She joined Goldman Sachs as a partner in 2001.
Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Alison worked at Merrill Lynch and held several senior management positions in the securities and investment banking areas and before that, she worked at Drexel Burnham.
Alison is a member of the Board of Advisors of Launch With GS, Goldman Sachs’ $500 million commitment to invest in companies and investment managers with diverse leadership and also serves as a member of the New York University Stern Executive Board.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Travis Kling on the growth of bitcoin, crypto investing and starting Ikigai Asset Management
Travis Kling is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Ikigai Asset Management, a hedge fund focused on crypto assets. He previously was a Portfolio Manager at Point72 Asset Management where he traded Long/Short Energy Equities. He started his career as an Investment Banker at Simmons & Company and was an Energy Long/Short Equity Analyst at Magnetar Capital.
In 2012, Travis was a member of Magnetar Energy, the team that won “Specialist Hedge Fund of The Year” from Hedge Fund Magazine. Travis has a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in Finance from Texas A&M University.
Please note, this podcast was recorded on the 5th February 2021.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com
Martin Naughton on GlenDimplex, The Naughton Foundation and starting your own business
Dr. Martin Naughton is Founder of the Glen Dimplex Group and Chairman of the Glen Dimplex Supervisory Board. He studied Mechanical & Production Engineering in Southampton, England and worked as an Industrial Engineer and Plant Manager for 12 years. In 1973, he founded the private, family-owned Glen Dimplex. Glen Dimplex now has 23 manufacturing plants worldwide.
Martin is also a philanthropist with his wife Carmel and the Naughton family. In 1994, Martin and Carmel founded the private family foundation, “The Naughton Foundation.”
Martin has received honorary degrees from Trinity College, University of Notre Dame, University College Dublin, Queen’s University, Ulster University, Coleraine and Griffith College Dublin. He is a trustee emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. For seven years, he served as a member of the Irish Council of State and is past Chairman of Intertrade Ireland. Martin is on the Advisory Board of Citi Private Bank for Europe, Africa and in the Middle East. He is a member of the Provost’s Council, is a Knight of the British Empire (K.B.E) and was awarded the French Légion d’Honneur by the French government.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com.
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF.
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com.
Alan Dargan on his investment banking and private equity career, opportunities today and advice
Alan Dargan is a Founder and Partner of Lonsdale Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm in London. He is also Founder and Chairman of Lansdowne Capital Limited, a corporate finance advisory firm.
Alan began his career in accountancy with Stokes Kennedy Crowley, which later became KPMG in Dublin. Prior to founding Lansdowne Capital and Lonsdale Capital Partners, Alan was a Managing Director in Investment Banking at both Credit Suisse First Boston and Swiss Bank Corporation, now UBS.
With over 40 years of experience in investing and investment banking on Wall Street and the City of London, he also holds several chairmanships and board positions around Europe and in addition is Chairman of the Trinity Student Managed Fund Advisory Board. He is also a trustee and ex-President of Trinity Rugby. He graduated with a BBS degree from Trinity College Dublin and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com.
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF.
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com.
Howard Marks on current markets, his illustrious career and advice for students
Howard is also quite an author. His newsletters and memos about markets and economics are widely read on Wall Street and all around the industry. He has written the critically acclaimed bestselling books Mastering the Market Cycle: Getting the Odds on Your Side and The Most Important Thing: Uncommon Sense for the Thoughtful Investor. Warren Buffett said in the past: “When I see memos from Howard Marks in my mail, they’re the first thing I open and read. I always learn something.” I hope you enjoy my insightful conversation with Howard.
Please note, this podcast was recorded on the 12th of August 2020.
You can find more of this podcast on our website www.trinitysmf.com
Please follow us on social media @TrinitySMF
For podcast queries, email will.ocallaghan@trinitysmf.com