Career In Finance with Charlie Metcalfe, Non Executive Director at Perspective Investments

From left to right (standing): George Stavrakis (student), Paula Lourenco (Careers and Corporate Relations Director), Karina Srtlyan (student), Charlie Metcalfe (Guest), Maria José Amich (Executive Director of The Lis bon MBA); Liam Costello (down), Sumantra Basu (student), Erik Brits (student).
Charlie Metcalfe, Non Executive Director at Perspective Investments, was our guest speaker at the Career In Finance session. Charlie Metcalfe, graduated in History at Yale University but accumulates more than 35 years of experience in the financial sector, in banking and investment management. He has worked at JP Morgan, Merryl Lynch, Goldman Sachs and Hermes Investments, among other companies. Today, Charlie Metcalfe is Board member and Managing director at Wilton Real Estate Capital, a real estate investment firm, he is advisor at 4Bio Capital, a biotech private equity firm and he is non-executive director at Perspective Investments, a family investment office.
He is also involved in volunteer work as board member of two charities – one medical, Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund, and one educational, Institute of Imagination, both in the UK.
Charlie Metcalfe discussed the different paths students can take when choosing a career in the multifaceted finance industry and the challenges that may lay ahead namely due to the different cultures that characterize the different financial disciplines. Important dimensions to consider as a professional in finance are the level of involvement with the customer and risk taking. At one end of the spectrum we find currency trading, with ‘no customer relationship, no alignment, only one wins’; and at the other end of the spectrum we have investment management which ‘is all about relationship’ with the customer to preserve his/her wealth and ensure the desired outcome. For those who want to pursue a career with little risk, to be a broker might be a good place to start. Conversely, for risk takers, ‘private equity might be the option as it is where all the money is put on the line’.
In his view, students should take a close look at the different career options and consider own interest, strengths, skills and personality as they get clear on the type of work they would enjoy doing and at which they would excel. Charlie has also clear that a career in finance is not all about money, but also about the ‘sense of pride and purpose one can derive from it’.
The session was extremely participative with the audience asking questions that ranged from technical financial aspects to which business investments are more prone to success, as well as the human side of the profession and the need for financial literacy in the general population.
Career In is an initiative by The Career Management Center of The Lisbon MBA Católica|Nova where Executives with different professional backgrounds deep dive into different roles, allowing students to learn more about different fields of expertise and help students get more information to decide on your Career Path.