Inside the Rope with David Clark

David Clark welcomes back the brilliant John Hempton, CEO and co-founder of Bronte Capital, to discuss the chaos and opportunities in today’s financial landscape. Known for his sharp insights and global investment acumen, John unpacks why markets seem irrational today. From the rollercoaster impact of Trump-era policies to the rise of speculative trades like GameStop and Bitcoin miners, this conversation dives deep into the forces shaping global financial trends. A mix of wisdom, strategy, and a touch of humor. Don’t miss out on John’s candid take on navigating uncertainty, managing risk, and positioning for long-term success.

Join David Clark on Inside the Rope as he speaks with Frank Danieli, Head of Credit Investment and Lending at MA Financial Group. In this episode, they delve into the Australian private credit and debt market, addressing concerns about potential bubbles and exploring the unique investment opportunities in low-risk, low-volatility portfolios. Frank also sheds light on the MA Priority Income Fund, offering insight into asset-backed lending and specialised finance areas, which promise robust returns. Tune in for a comprehensive look at modern private credit strategies and how they fit into today's investment landscape.

This podcast episode from "Inside the Rope" features an in-depth conversation with Manny Pohl, a South African-born investment professional who transitioned to Australia and became a key figure in fund management, including building the firms Hyperion and ECP Asset Management.

Manny reflects on the importance of humility, teamwork, and building a business for the long term. ECP boasts a return since inception (July 2012) of 13% p.a. to 30 Sep 2024 compared to the market’s 10% p.a.

This engaging discussion offers a mix of personal anecdotes, insights on fund management, and practical advice for investors navigating wealth management.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David interviews Dafina Toncheva, a general partner at the US-based venture capital firm, USVP. Dafina shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Communist Bulgaria to earning a scholarship to Harvard and completing her MBA at Stanford. Now a prominent figure in venture capital, Dafina discusses USVP's history, including its success in managing 12 funds, 11 of which have been profitable. She highlights USVP’s impressive track record, which includes 93 IPOs and over 100 M&A transactions.

Dafina explains her investment focus on early-stage companies, particularly in software, cybersecurity, and digital health. She recounts her early success at Venrock, where she led the first institutional investment in Cloudflare, now a multi-billion dollar company. Despite the initial skepticism from other investors, Dafina's persistence paid off, making Cloudflare Venrock’s most profitable investment.

Throughout the podcast, Dafina reflects on her unique perspective shaped by her upbringing, her views on the importance of meritocracy, and her belief in free markets. She also discusses USVP's disciplined approach to early-stage investments and their commitment to liquidity for investors.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David speaks with Michael Rosen, co-founder and CEO of Context Capital. They discuss his journey in finance and the founding of the firm. Michael covers his career managing a mutual fund group and the decision to start Context Capital after recognising the limits of traditional mutual funds, particularly the lack of hedging options available.

Michael covers Context Capital’s investment strategy, which focuses on convertible bonds, a hybrid asset that sits between debt and equity. Michael explains how the firm manages $2.7 billion while producing an average return of over 12% per year since inception, reducing risk through strategies like shorting equities.

Michael also shares lessons from his restaurant ventures, drawing comparisons between running a restaurant and an investment firm. He highlights the importance of preparation and teamwork in both fields.

Finally Michael highlights his views on future opportunities in convertible markets and how some investors view the strategy as being able to offer equity-like returns with historically less risk.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, host David Clark interviews Jim Eddy, founder and CEO of Jamberoo Action Park, a successful entrepreneur from Wollongong. Jim shares his journey, discussing how his background in real estate investment and overcoming personal challenges shaped his approach to business.

The conversation covers important lessons for wealth management, such as managing risk, debt, and investment in seasonal businesses. Jim explains how he transitioned from a land surveyor at BHP to developing Jamberoo Action Park after exploring different ventures, including dairy farming and real estate.

Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit and resilience were pivotal in weathering financial challenges and industry fluctuations. He speaks about the risks of debt during tough times, like droughts and economic downturns, and the importance of thorough research before committing to new investments.

The episode also touches on the value of continuous learning and adapting in business, as Jim recalls lessons from major theme parks in the U.S., which helped him improve safety and operational standards at Jamberoo.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, host David Clark shifts focus from traditional wealth management to personal wellness, in a conversation with Damian Chaparro, the founder of Aro Ha, a wellness retreat in New Zealand. The episode explores the intersection of health and wealth, highlighting how wealth encompasses a sound body and mind.

Damian shares his journey from IT consultant to wellness architect, driven by a desire for purpose and holistic living. Damian discusses the creation of Aro Ha, a retreat that embodies a complete approach to well-being, integrating physical health, mental wellness, and sustainable living practices. David and Damian explore the challenges of modern life, such as the impact of technology on wellness, and the importance of balancing financial success with personal health. Damian emphasises the value of experiences that foster inner well-being, encouraging listeners to consider wellness as an integral part of wealth & health management.

This podcast episode of Inside the Rope features a conversation between David Clark, and Paul Francis, a sports science expert and early-stage sports science investor. Paul has an impressive career background, having held senior positions at Adidas and Nike, and worked as a performance advisor to NFL teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons. He has also collaborated closely with elite athletes like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi.

The discussion delves into the influence of sports science on the commercial aspects of sport, fitness, and wellness. Paul shares insights into his career journey, which began in sports science and evolved into consulting and leadership roles in major sports brands. They explore how performance under pressure differentiates great athletes and how this concept applies across various fields, including investment management.

The conversation also covers Paul’s latest venture, FC 32, a platform focused on placing athletes at the centre of football club ownership and investment. The platform aims to align the development of athletes with the investment goals of stakeholders, providing a novel approach to football ownership by prioritising the player asset class over the traditional club-centric model.

Additionally, they discuss the growing role of data in sports, the importance of understanding the right metrics, and the potential impact of recent changes in college sports regulations on the global sports landscape. The podcast ends with Paul highlighting the importance of strategic investment in health and eSports as emerging opportunities and advocating for the charity Saint Vincent de Paul for its work with the homeless in Australia.

In this special live event episode recorded in Melbourne, Inside The Rope celebrates a milestone with its 176th episode, marking the second live event in honor of 175 episodes. The event features an impressive lineup of guests from the world of finance and investment, each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table.

Guest Speakers:

Michael Lukin, CFA: Group Managing Partner of Roc Partners, Michael Lukin shares his journey from the management buy-out of Macquarie Group’s private markets business to leading client relationships and investment activities across various markets. He provides a deep dive into his experience managing major investments, including companies like StoneAxe and Australia’s Oyster Coast.

Peter Cooper: The Chief Investment Officer and founder of Cooper Investors, Peter Cooper, brings over 30 years of investment management experience to the stage. He discusses the VoF investment philosophy he developed, which has been instrumental in the success of Cooper Investors across both domestic and international strategies.

Samar Mcheileh: Managing Partner at Scale, Samar Mcheileh shares her passion for venture capital and her vision of transforming Scale into a fully-matured fund. Her experience in financial services, including her transformative work at JBWere and her active role in the Australian early-stage ecosystem, adds a dynamic perspective to the conversation.

Ep 175: Live Event - Jess Farr-Jones, Mike Lukin & Tim Carleton - Public and private market insights by David Clark