The University of Sussex Business School has established the ‘Nemea Fund,’ a new student led investment fund (SLIF), which will be guided by its Advisory Board.

Under the guidance of Dr Susan Smith, Associate Dean (Education and Students), the goal of the SLIF is to develop the capacity of its members in managing an investment fund. The Advisory Board will provide advice to the ‘Nemea Fund’ and monitor its governance. The SLIF aims to provide Business School students with the hands-on experience of running a fund, working with industry experts, and conducting innovative research.

"The Nemea Fund will provide Sussex students with a unique opportunity to gain first-hand trading experience, which will help to develop their skills and financial acumen, allowing them to stand out in competitive application processes for placements and graduate roles", said Adam Razzaq, the Fund’s President.

“Most of the top Universities in the UK have a fund”, said Lorenzo Patrone, Founder and Vice-President of the University of Sussex's Investment Fund. “This project offers an amazing opportunity for every student to expand their knowledge and kickstart their career.”

Advisory board membership will be through an invitation from the Board’s chair who will be nominated from among its external members and the Board will meet three times a year.

Susan Smith said: “We are excited to support this exciting, innovative, and rewarding enterprise to enable students to develop their skills in running and monitoring governance of an investment fund.”

Students’ funding decisions will be based on recommendations on the purchase and sale of holdings that are aligned with the Fund’s trading strategy. The funding source will primarily be from its members and will cover introductory trading training, guest talks, competitions, and social activities. Funding will also come from company sponsorship.

Some notable industry experts, including Sussex alumni, involved with the Fund are:

Baiwei Sun, Analyst at SDIC Fund Management, Shanghai, (Accounting and Finance, 2020)

Martin King, Managing Partner, Tyton Capital Advisors, Tokyo, Managing Partner, Tyton Capital Advisors, Tokyo, (English and Media Studies, 2008)

Simon Evan-Cook, Fund Manager, Downing Fund Managers, Paul Cannons, Investment Manager, Brewin Dolphin

Ali Farrell, Fund Manager, Legal and General

Dr Panagiotis Tzouvanas, Lecturer in Finance, Business School

Dr Myrna Hennequin, Lecturer in Economics, Business School

To deliver its goals, the Fund will be guided by UN SDG Goal 13 (Climate Action) and follow the EU’s taxonomy principles to identify green investments.