Advisory board

Associate Dean for Education and Students 

Professor Farai Jena is the Associate Dean for Education and Students, as well as Professor in the Department of Economics. She was also the Education and Students Lead for the Department of Economics and Director of Teaching and Learning in the University of Sussex Business School from 2018 to 2021.

Farai is a recent recipient of a University student-led teaching award for outstanding/innovative teaching. She has served as course director for the MSc in International Business Economics, a member of the Department of Economics Executive Group, Undergraduate Research School Coordinator, and Department of Economics Africa Scholarship Coordinator. She is currently a member of the Teaching Committee and Diversity Panel in the department. She is also a Fellow of the U.K. Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE).

Lecturer in Economics 

Dr Myrna Hennequin is a Lecturer in Economics at the University of Sussex Business School. She obtained a PhD in Economics from the University of Amsterdam. Besides teaching, she conducts research in behavioural and experimental economics and finance. Myrna is a member of the Advisory Board of the Nemea Fund. Her role includes providing recommendations and training, for example on using the Bloomberg Terminal.”

Simon Evan-Cook

Fund Manager for Downing

Simon Evan-Cook is an award-winning fund manager based in the UK. His approach blends high-alpha managers into client-friendly portfolios, and he is currently establishing the Downing Fox Fund Range at Downing LLP in London. Prior to that he was a senior member of the Premier Miton Multi Asset team, which won multiple industry awards and managed over $5 billion at their peak.

Simon also writes on investment (and beyond), including a monthly column for Citywire Magazine and his investment blog on Medium.com. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and dog, devouring movies and books, and superficially damaging European golf courses.

Martin D.King

Managing Partner of CPWA

Based in Tokyo, Martin is an active member of the Investments & Wealth Institute and works with high net worth individuals to provide solutions, and counsel on complex financial planning and investment management topics. Outside of his wealth management practice he serves as an external director to two family offices, and spends his free time travelling the world with his wife.

Martin will be helping the students navigate the landscape of fund management, and providing advice from first-hand experience in the structuring, administration and management of investment funds.

Angelo Ciavarella

Angelo Ciavarella is a Lecturer at the University of Greenwich, teaching the module "Trading in Financial Markets." His teaching emphasises the application of Macroeconomics to Markets, analysing the influence of Monetary Policy decisions on the pricing of various Asset Classes, as well as understating the role of psychology in the investment decision-making process.
He holds a Master's degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University - SAIS (School of Advanced International Studies) - in Washington, DC, specializing in economics and finance.

With over 15 years of experience in the City of London, Ciavarella has held roles on both the buy-side and sell-side, working at firms ranging from E*TRADE (now part of Morgan Stanley) to Infinox Capital. Presently, he is on the brink of launching his own "Total Return" Investment Fund in Luxembourg.

He is an accredited analyst at OPEC+ (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), frequently participating in their general meetings in Vienna, and he is a contributor to CNBC.

Paul J Cannons

Senior Investment Manager - Divisional Director - Investment Management 

Brewin Dolphin

Lorenzo Patrone - C0-founder of the Nemea Fund, and Business School graduate

BSc Economics and Finance graduate 2023

Co-Founder of Nemea and Head of the Alternative Investments Division. He is a member of the advisory board, formed by academics and professionals, and he oversees its relationship with the Fund. Now that he has graduated, he will be joining Citigroup in the capital markets division.

His aim is to merge his passions with work and finalise some entrepreneurial projects in a variey of fields, including finance and the creation of an investment fund. He plays rugby and loves extreme sports, kitesurfing, skiing and snowboarding.

Arturo Gerli - C0-founder and Advisory Board member

Final year Finance & Technology (Fintech) BSc student

As an Advisory Board member and founder of the Fund, he collaborates with the board members and university faculty to drive project expansion.

Following a Private Equity summer internship at Neuberger Berman Renaissance, he gained valuable insights, leading to the conception of the Student-led Investment Fund.

In his final year of undergraduate studies, he aims to create a lasting impact at the University of Sussex, focusing on developing technical and analytical skills within the Alternatives sector for a future in an arts fund. His journey reflects a commitment to excellence and ethical investment practices, marking him as a dedicated advocate for the Fund's success and growth.

Nikita Dumitriuc - Head of the Energy and Infrastructure Division

Final year Economics and Finance BSc student

Advisory Board member of the Fund, operating closely with the divisions to ensure smooth performance.

Prior to joining the Advisory Board, he worked at Aviva as a Sustainable Investment Summer Analyst. He helped structure the Nemea Fund and manages the operations to ensure our strategy and commitment to ESG is consistent in all our investment analyses.

As a leading member, he is determined to create a collaborative environment, supporting analysts with research and analysis. His ambitions are to further deepen his understanding of market dynamics and ESG considerations with the aim of pursuing a career in the field.