If you’ve ever wondered how the real mechanics of global financial markets work, today’s guest is someone you’ll want to hear from... 👇🏼

Welcome to the TWENTY-FIRST episode of The Smart Money Show! We’re joined by Michael Seigne, a seasoned execution specialist with over three decades of experience at the sharpest edge of trading and markets. From Managing Director at Goldman Sachs to Global Head of Execution Services at Redburn, Michael has built a career defined by precision and leadership. ⚡️

In 2022, he took all that experience and founded Candor Partners, a mission-driven firm helping listed companies improve the way share transactions, especially buybacks, are executed. His vision? To bring more transparency and efficiency to capital markets. 📈

Whether you’re aiming for a career in markets or just love a good story from someone who’s seen it all, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

Guest Contacts:

Michael Seigne - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-seigne/

🎥 Recorded: 28th July

Chapters: 

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

3:46 - An Unconventional Start: From Medic to Engineer in Hong Kong 🇭🇰

8:52 - The "Random Walk" into Finance & The Goldman Sachs Grind 🏦

28:40 - Inside Goldman's Culture: The 6-Month "Military-Esque" Training 🤝

32:30 - Leadership Lessons & Navigating a 22-Year Career 📈

38:46 - Hiring Philosophy: The 3 Things That Matter Most 📝

43:18 - Execution 101: What Happens When You Hit "Buy"? 👨‍💻

48:42 - Man AND Machine: The Reality of Algorithmic Trading 🤖

55:16 - The Power of Humility: "I Know Virtually Nothing" 🤔

58:28 - Founding Candle Partners: Identifying a Billion-Pound Problem 💡

1:10:55 - How Inefficient Buybacks are Harming UK Markets 📉

1:23:46 - Final Reflections & Career Advice ✨

1:27:45 - The Biggest Takeaway: "It's a Team Sport" 💌

1:28:35 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/ Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

A guest who’s seen it all, from all sides of finance… 💡

Our TWENTIETH episode’s guest has PLENTY of experience, in senior offices at multiple respected financial firms! Robert Donald has worked across the buy and sell side, covering the breadth of finance in corporate finance, equity research, portfolio management and hedge funds.

In this milestone conversation with our prolific guest, we zoom back to the beginning, trace the path Robert took, unpicking his reflections, learnings and lessons for us at the beginning of our career. A valuable episode, offering a holistic view of financial services - dive in! 🤝

Guest Contacts:

Robert Donald - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-robert/

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

3:42 - The Origin Story: The 10-Year-Old Who Read Annual Reports 📚

7:12 - Entering the City: Surviving the "Big Bang" Era 🔥

11:29 - The Pivot to Equity Research & Why He Left the Sell-Side 🚶‍♂️

17:22 - Entering the Hedge Fund World at GLG 💼

21:16 - What is a Long-Short Portfolio Manager? A Breakdown 📊

27:00 - Buy-Side vs. Sell-Side: Incentives, Risk & Exploiting Fear 😱

29:28 - Building at Schroders: The Helix & GIA Platforms 🚀

40:55 - Lessons from 40 Years of Market Crises 🌪️

45:26 - The Sailboat Analogy: A Masterclass in Risk Management ⛵

46:39 - A Veteran's Warning: Is the Market Priced for Perfection? 🤔

52:37 - What is "Risk"? A Multifaceted Definition ⚠️

55:18 - Final Reflections & Career Advice ✨

1:01:23 - The Biggest Takeaway: Be Curious, Work Hard, Stay Humble 💌

1:02:29 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

One man, two continents, and a financial career map that says you can do it all... 🤩

Welcome to the NINETEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! This week, we're joined by Nomaan Riaz, a career warrior whose path through the financial world has spanned investment banking, private credit, venture capital, and now fintech in Dubai’s growing financial hub.

This episode we talk about how to break into the toughest corners of finance, what it’s like to switch lanes between vastly different roles, and how a career in Dubai really shapes up. Along the way, Nomaan shares the lessons learned from rejections, the skills that transfer across sectors, and the mindset that has kept him moving forward.

So if you're curious about high-stakes banking, the art of spotting a winning founder, or building a global career with agility then this episode is packed with perspective you need.

Guest Contacts:

Nomaan Riaz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomaan1/

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

3:17 - The Hustler's Origin: From Lollipops to Lip Kits 🍭

8:32 - Overcoming the "Small Town Mindset" & Moving to London 🚀

17:07 - Breaking In: First Internships & Realisations 🏦

24:24 - The Brutal Rejection Story: Lazard & The Lawnmower Question 💥

35:07 - The Power of Your Circle: Lessons from Friendships 🤝

40:44 - Career Snapshot Part 1: Private Credit at Pemberton 💼

47:28 - Career Snapshot Part 2: Inside a "Dragon's Den" VC Firm 🐲

58:16 - How to Assess a Founder: The VC Investor's Mindset 🤔

1:05:04 - The Big Leap: Why He Left VC for a Startup in Dubai ✈️

1:14:40 - The Key to Progress: "Ease is a Greater Threat than Hardship" 🧠

1:15:49 - Final Reflections & Career Advice ✨

1:21:30 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

It's been a while since we've had a recap, but we're back with a NEW face… 📉📈

Welcome to the EIGHTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! As usual, we're joined by our Head of Equities, Dylan Ilett, but also by our new Head of FICC, Wahy Yahya!

From breaking US and UK macroeconomic data to shifting bond market dynamics, we break down what the latest numbers reveal about the global economy and what investors might be missing. We dig into the early wave of US bank earnings, the explosion in clearing volumes, and what the latest warnings from Goldman and BofA could mean for equity markets. Is sentiment starting to crack or just cooling off? 🤔

On the macro side, we cover the latest Trump developments, examine curve moves and widening credit spreads, and unpack why gold is back in focus with a setup that has some serious upside potential! Whether you’re just watching the credit space or following the flow in equities, this one is packed with sharp insights and clear takeaways.

Guest Contacts:

Dylan Ilett - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-ilett/

Wahy Yahya - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wahy-yahya-1b1563301/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome & A Major Team Update 🎙️

3:41 - Episode Agenda & Macro Data Kick-off 📊

4:36 - US Economic Data: Resilience Amid Tariff Talk 🇺🇸

8:05 - UK Economic Data: "Sticky" Inflation & Rate Cut Hopes 🇬🇧

11:11 - Bank Earnings Smashed: How Volatility Became a Goldmine 💰

15:11 - "Clearing Volume Explosion": The Market Goes Risk-Off ⚠️

19:36 - Are We in a Bubble? Goldman & BofA Warn on US Stocks 📉

26:52 - The Great Rotation: Gold, Silver & Platinum's Surge 🪙

32:48 - Trump's Latest Moves: Trade Deals & Suing the Fed? ⚖️

38:42 - Investor Mindset: Navigating a Trump-Driven Market 🤔

42:19 - FICC Deep Dive: Curve Dynamics & Credit Spreads 📈

47:18 - Tech Earnings Report: Big Tech Continues to Beat Estimates 💻

51:39 - FICC Profit Trends: How Trading Desks are Thriving 🏦

54:34 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Welcome to the SEVENTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 💥

For this week's episode we're joined by Jesse Hall, an Investment Banking Associate at J.P. Morgan, currently working in the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) team in London. Born and raised in South West London, Jesse took a leap after A-levels to study Financial Mathematics at the University of Nottingham, where his journey into finance truly began. From student investment societies to mastering technical skills, he laid the groundwork early.

After university, Jesse kicked off his career at KPMG, qualifying as both a Chartered Accountant and CFA charterholder. Now at J.P. Morgan, he’s spent the past three years advising FIG clients across Europe from the heart of Canary Wharf. In this episode, Jesse shares practical advice on navigating the demanding world of investment banking covering everything from building credibility, surviving long hours, and continuously investing in your own development. A must-listen for any aspiring banker or curious mind! 💼

Guest Contacts:

Jesse Hall - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessejameshall/

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

3:01 - An Unconventional Start: From Car Boot Sales to Wimbledon 🎾

8:04 - The University Journey & Finding a Focus 🎓

11:50 - The Chartered Accountant "Floor": Starting at a Big Four 🏢

15:12 - The Strategic Climb: From Audit to FIG M&A 🚀

21:02 - The Lateral Move: Breaking into JP Morgan 💼

31:55 - Culture Shock & The Push for Perfection 💥

35:40 - A Day in the Life of an IB Associate 📈

42:33 - Investment Banking 101: A Breakdown for Students ✍️

50:38 - Advice for Breaking In & Navigating Your Career 🧠

55:29 - What Does Success Look Like? Plans & Final Reflections ✨

1:00:48 - The Biggest Takeaway: Your Journey Isn't Set in Stone 💌

1:01:30 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Welcome to the SIXTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 🔥

Today, Ali and Noman chat to Agbolade Oduniyi. Agbolade started on the buy-side, pursuing asset management at Wellington Management, then pivoting to strategy consulting at firms including Accenture. Now, he’s the founder of FO Perspectives, focused on attracted diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in early careers, connecting talented students (like you, our audience 😉) with employers. 🤝

In the conversation, we start with his financial roots (with 3 internships in 3 years at uni!), before discussing how he found his career shifts and explore his work with FO Perspectives now. A unique career journey, we hope you enjoy hearing all about it! 🫡

Guest Contacts:

Agbolade Oduniyi - https://www.linkedin.com/in/agbolade-o-724288106/

FO Perspectives - https://linktr.ee/foperspectives

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

3:41 - Early Influences & Finding Finance 💡

7:35 - University Journey & The Power of Networking 🎓

10:32 - The "Try Everything" Internship Strategy 🌍

13:54 - Does Your School Define You? A Take on Imposter Syndrome 🤔

17:35 - The Pivot: From Asset Management to Consulting 🚀

22:21 - How to Successfully Switch Industries (The Blueprint) 📝

25:24 - Asset Management vs. Consulting: How to Break In 📊

32:30 - The Founding of FO Perspectives 📈

40:01 - The Reality of Entrepreneurship vs. a Corporate Job 💼

41:42 - How FO Balances Student Needs & Employer Agendas ⚖️

46:43 - Advice for Students: How to Stand Out & Succeed 🌟

51:34 - The Future of Hiring: Are CVs Becoming Obsolete? 📄

54:48 - Final Reflections & The Biggest Takeaway 💌

1:00:06 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Staying true to who you are, and still climbing the ranks... 💨

Welcome to the FIFTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! Abrar Azad didn’t follow the textbook path. Born and raised in Bolton, he’s now an Assistant Vice President at Deutsche Bank, and the youngest-ever Chair of the firm’s Muslim Network. But his story isn’t just about promotions or titles. It’s about identity, community, and rewriting what success in the City should look like.

We delve into some really pertinent topics including what it’s like to bring faith into finance, why community work isn’t just a side hustle, and how ambition and authenticity can actually coexist. Whether you’re trying to break into the industry, break out of imposter syndrome, or just break the mould, Abrar’s story will leave you thinking bigger and bolder.

Guest Contacts:

Abrar Azad - https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrar-azad/

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

3:31 - Bolton Roots & The Value of Hard Work 💪

7:44 - University Strategy: The Power of Extracurriculars 🎓

12:36 - Staying Grounded & The Importance of Your Roots 🌳

15:45 - The Unconventional Journey into Banking 🚀

19:44 - Bouncing Back: How to Turn Setbacks into Opportunities ✨

24:20 - Student to Professional: Mindset, Excel & Imposter Syndrome 💼

29:45 - A Day in the Life: AVP in the UK CFO Office 📈

35:13 - The Most Important Skill in Finance? People. 🤝

38:28 - Navigating Corporate Life as a Muslim Professional 🙏

43:07 - Leading the Deutsche Bank Muslim Network 🌍

48:13 - The Future of Faith & Cultural Inclusion at Work 🕊️

54:30 - Final Reflections & Career Advice ✨

58:21 - The Biggest Takeaway: The Power of Community 💌

1:00:06 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://www.thesmartmoneyshow.co.uk/

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Welcome to the FOURTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 💸

This week, we’re joined by Antony Wilson, a second-year Investment Analyst at Lane, Clark & Peacock, one of the UK’s leading firms in pensions and investment consulting! Antony’s story is proof that there’s no “right” path into finance, he studied Biomedical Sciences at the University of Manchester, sat CFA Level 1 off his own back, and is now a CFA Level 3 pass-holder working closely with clients to shape long-term investment strategy. 📈

We dive into how he made the pivot from science to finance, what the CFA journey really takes, and how he keeps a strong work-life balance while thriving in a demanding role. An inspiring episode for anyone thinking about breaking into finance from a non-finance degree! 🎙️

Guest Contacts:

Antony Wilson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/-antonywilson/

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro 🎙️

2:29 - From Biomedical Science to Finance 🧪

6:47 - Transferable Skills & The Value of a Non-Finance Degree 🧠

11:10 - The Pivot: Independent Trading & The Application Grind 📈

24:34 - Conquering the HireVue Interview 💻

27:51 - The CFA Journey: Motivation, Funding & Management 📚

38:06 - CFA Level 1 vs 2 vs 3: The Brutal Reality 💥

42:25 - Is the CFA Worth It for Students Today? 🤔

46:49 - A Day in the Life: Investment Consulting at LCP 💼

53:10 - What Would Surprise Students About the Job? 😮

58:09 - Future Plans & Final Reflections ✨

1:01:31 - The Biggest Takeaway for Aspiring Professionals 💌

1:02:18 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Welcome to the THIRTEENTH episode of The Smart Money Show! 💰

Nothing unlucky about this one, we’re at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager! And we’re joined by Esmond Afranie who, in true portfolio diversification style, has a unique route into finance: he studied Biomedical Sciences at Warwick and is now in the European Fixed Income team at BlackRock! 🤯

In our conversation, we speak about how he found that journey breaking into finance, learn more about his role today and the social mobility initiative he founded, ‘Prosper Warwick’. A great listen as always! 🤝

Guest Contacts:

Esmond Afranie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmond-afranie-3a42271a6/

Prosper Warwick - https://www.prosperwarwick.com/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎙️

3:02 - From Biomedical Science to Finance 🧪

9:04 - The Transition: First Steps & Pivotal Moments 🚀

13:02 - Navigating the "Why Finance?" Question 🤔

17:12 - The Internship Journey: From Spring Week to Grad Offer 📈

21:16 - What Made Him Stand Out? ✨

28:51 - Advice for Non-Finance Students Breaking In 🎓

30:37 - Founding Prosper Warwick: A Social Impact Story 🤝

40:08 - A Day in the Life: Fixed Income Analyst at BlackRock 💼

42:30 - Fixed Income Explained & The Learning Curve 🧠

49:26 - Future Plans & Final Reflections 🌟

53:55 - The Three Biggest Takeaways for Students 💌

55:43 - Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.

Big-picture thinking, career clarity, and the kind of honest advice you won’t find in textbooks... 🚀

Welcome to the TWELFTH episode of The Smart Money Show! This week, we’re joined by Michael Brown, an award-winning market analyst and Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, whose work spans global macro, cross-asset strategy, and real-time market insight. From supporting over 50,000 clients across five offices to broadcasting market insights to thousands each week, his role is as fast paced as it is impactful.

Recorded live at Pepperstone’s London HQ, this in-person episode goes beyond the data. We explore Michael’s journey into finance, his early fascination with markets, and how he carved out a voice in the crowded world of research and financial media.

From decoding the macro landscape to building trust through clarity and consistency, Michael shares how he approaches research, handles high-stakes news cycles, and balances technical depth with clear communication. Whether you're a student trying to break into finance or an investor curious about how top analysts form their views, this episode is full of practical insights and career wisdom.

Guest Contacts:

Micheal Brown - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-r-brown/

Pepperstone - https://pepperstone.com/en-gb/

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome 🎙️

2:06 - An Unconventional Path into Finance 🚀

4:33 - The University Degree: A "Filtering Mechanism"? 🤔

8:34 - First Role & The Pivot to Research ✍️

10:29 - The Reality of a Career in Markets: Beyond the 9-to-5 ⏰

13:50 - Navigating Crises: COVID vs. Predictable Events 🌪️

17:35 - The Macro Analyst's Framework 🧠

22:40 - Identifying Long-Term Market Themes 📈

26:16 - How to Break into Macro Research 🎓

29:14 - A Day in the Life at Pepperstone ☕️

36:13 - The Underrated Skill for Career Success 🤝

37:55 - Final Reflections: Proudest Moments & Advice ✨

40:34 - Biggest Takeaway & Outro 👋

As always, stay tuned to us weekly as we bring you unheard insights, professional guests and a few laughs! 💚

Check out our work and connect with us here: https://linktr.ee/thesmartmoneyshow

Please be advised, none of our episodes constitute as financial advice and we will never attempt to do so.