Advisory board
About the board members
The Nemea Fund advisory board is a group of internal and external professionals who aim to develop members' skills through training in various aspects of managing an investment fund and interaction with industry experts. As well as acting in an advisory capacity, they provide members with real experience of running a fund, enhancing and encorporating teaching and learning with practical experience.
Nemea Fund team members are able to work alongside industry advisors and faculty from the Business School to conduct innovative research and establish best practice in running the Fund.
Business School faculty members
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.”
External members
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.
Paul J Cannons
Senior Investment Manager - Divisional Director - Investment Management
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.
Business School student members
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.