Class of '25: 5 things I asked about you

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Four Weddings and a Funeral.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

Something finance related as my DJ skills just weren’t good enough to go down that path!

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs?

Bill Gross. He brought bonds out of the shadows and played a major role introducing active bond management to a much wider audience.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Take your time.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Of all the megatrends out there, the impact of long-term demographics is the least fashionable but the most inevitable as populations age, particularly in developed economies. With my fixed income hat on, it’s hard not to see value in inflation-linked bonds offering real yields above 2% for government risk. 

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Groundhog Day (and yes, it IS a rom-com!).

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

Marine Biologist – one of my first “jobs” (unpaid) was 2 months rescuing baby sea turtles in Greece.

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

I have huge admiration and respect for Seth Klarman – he keeps a low profile, has an incredible investment track record, and his out-of-print book “Margin of Safety” has a cult following among the investment community.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Be pragmatic – when investing but also along one’s own career path. I think the latter is now especially important as industries, the workplace and roles evolve with the adoption of AI.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Unconstrained and actively managed equities.

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Some Like It Hot. I must have watched it 100 times...genre-defining (and defying).

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

Scriptwriter. Like my Dad.

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

Icon might be pushing it, but the epitome of keeping it simple is Howard Marks, arguably the Buffett of Private Credit. And, for her ground-breaking in overly ‘bro’ sectors, I admire fintech Venture Capitalist, Blythe Masters.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Discover Daniel Kahneman way sooner than you did.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Female-founded lifestyle and wellness concerns.

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Pretty Woman.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

I started as a corporate banker before moving to asset management. I’m still loving asset management.

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

Howard Marks, for his calm, clarity and common sense. When common sense sometimes is not very common, I admire how he distils complex cycles into practical wisdom without ever sounding like he is trying too hard. If investing is partly about temperament, then his is one I would bottle.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

You don’t need to have it all figured out –  go with your heart, do your homework before asking questions and raise your hand. Don’t be afraid to start over again, it gives you a chance to build something even bigger / better. Give yourself grace. 

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Asia, of course, given my role. It is not just the demographics or the wealth growth. It is where ambition meets purpose, and we are only just getting started. 

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

When Harry Met Sally.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

A writer. 

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs?

Li Ka-shing, the Hong Kong billionaire business magnate, investor and philanthropist. 

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

It is a marathon. 

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

I think emerging markets for the question of where to invest and the biotechnology sector for the question of what area to invest in.

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was a firm favourite for me growing up, but the twist in Crazy, Stupid, Love (if you know you know) makes it a very close second.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

A fitness instructor/have my own boutique fitness studio. I already teach spin and reformer pilates outside of M&G, so this won’t surprise anyone who knows me!

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

Claudia Calich, the head of our emerging markets debt team, who is retiring this year. There aren’t many legendary female investment icons, but I feel fortunate to have worked alongside someone who has been both an inspiration and a mentor in fund management.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Buy Bitcoin.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

I think fixed income genuinely has a more appealing entry point compared to other asset classes and emerging market (EM) debt, in particular, offers differentiated opportunities, shaped by global supply chain realignments, shifting capital flows, and improving resilience to external shocks. 

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Love Actually. Pure British Cheese. Love it.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

There was only ever one choice and I've never looked back. 

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

Joel Greenblatt, the American academic, value investor and author of books, such as “You Can Be a Stock Market Genius” and “The Little Book That Beats the Market”, and Dave Fishwick, the creator of M&G’s Episode Macro Strategy.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Resolve conflict avoidance earlier in life.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

What do I know, but just for fun: Photonic Compute. 

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

My Cousin Vinny.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

I would have loved to be a professional footballer,  but I don't think the industry would have had me!

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs?

Not necessarily a pure investor, but I would say behavioural finance thought leader Daniel Khaneman. I was also fortunate to work with some excellent investors early in my career, like M&G's Dave Fishwick. 

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don't sweat the small stuff and with time it is all mostly small stuff. 

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Asian mid- and small-cap equities. Valuations are compelling, in my view, and there are many excellent companies that are currently being completely overlooked. 

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Love Actually – the airport scene is my favourite!

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

An architect and a designer of “Made in Italy” furniture. 

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs?

Howard Marks. His book, “The Most Important Thing”, provides wonderful insight into “second-level thinking” and the importance of psychological discipline in investments. I enjoy listening to his podcast, “The Memo”, even if I don’t always agree with his market views! 

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Aim high, work hard, be kind.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Resource scarcity including energy efficiency, materials recycling, monitoring and management of resource usage could be an area that provides attractive long-term returns. Also, after 10 years of underwhelming returns, and given current yields, some Western government bonds might surprise to the upside!

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Four Weddings and a Funeral.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

Anodising aluminium – my dad’s business but I wanted to strike out on my own.

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

Howard Marks – his book “The Most Important Thing” is a must read.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Take more risk. You need to get comfortable stepping into uncertainty. That is the only way you can learn and progress. 

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Probably Blockchain and Cryptocurrency – I think the impact on finance and markets is being underestimated by most people.

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Groundhog Day – it is a bit of a rom-com.

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

I’m a keen sports person, so commentating on sport or sports journalism.

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs? 

As a leader, Reed Hastings, the co-founder and chairman of Netflix. From the investment world, Carl Icahn.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

If you don’t understand, ask. You should seek to learn every day, and continue to do so throughout your career. This industry is incredibly cerebrally stimulating.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

Infrastructure and emerging markets.

What is your favourite “romantic comedy” movie?

Would have to be Bridget Jones (don’t tell anyone!).

If not asset management, which career choice would you most likely have made?

Still in real estate or the built environment, likely urban planning, focused on revitalising neighbourhoods and affordable housing.

Which investment icon would you say most reflected your investment approach/beliefs?

Ray Dalio. I love his systemised approach to investing and life. Living and working in Asia, his emphasis on Asian business cultures resonates with me.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t worry about things you can’t change; focus energy on the things you can change, for example, your own performance, rather than factors outside your control.

What do you see as the biggest investment opportunity in the next decade?

As a real estate investor I would say senior housing, given the associated demographic trends of ageing populations. Outside of real estate I would say AI (no surprise) or some form of ‘clean energy’.