LSE Focal Point Podcast

Hosted by LSESU Business and Investment Group

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Episodes

286

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The Focal Point Podcast, founded in 2020 by Daniel Tamary MacLeod with special mention to Seongyun Hong, is the official podcast of the LSESU Business and Investment Group. Weekly episodes featuring industry-changing leaders from across the professional landscape are uploaded to provide exclusive insights and enhance commercial awareness. To find more and summaries of our episodes, visit our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lse-focal-point!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 202622 min

Joan Kehoe - Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Alchelyst

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Joan Kehoe, the Founder and CEO at Alchelyst. Prior to her current role, she was the Global Head of Alternative Investment Services at JPMorgan, CEO of PFPC International, and the founder of Quintillion. Joan holds a background in financial services and is a long-standing leader in the funds and investment services industry, with more than 40 years of experience across alternatives. Recorded in June, 2026

July 30, 202622 min

Francesco Ceccato - Chief Executive Officer at Barclays Europe

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Francesco Ceccato, the CEO of Barclays Europe. Prior to his current role, he was the Co-Head of the Financial Institutions Group for Europe and the Middle East at Barclays, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at Barclays, and held senior roles at GE Capital, Bear Stearns, and J.P. Morgan. Francesco holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Economics and Philosophy from the London School of Economics, and is a speaker on leadership, European banking, and the future of capital markets. Recorded in April, 2026

June 30, 202621 min

Tom Kapsimalis - Managing Director and Head of Secondaries at CPP Investments

Join us for another insightful episode of Focal Point where today we are joined by Tom Kapsimalis, the Managing Director and Head of Secondaries at CPP Investments. Prior to his current role, he was an Investment Banking Associate in the Syndicated and Leveraged Finance team at TD Securities, a senior investor on CPP Investments' Secondaries team, and helped establish the firm's Hedge Fund Co-Investment Program during his tenure in the London office. Tom holds an Honours Bachelor's of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University and was named to Private Equity International's Future 40 list in 2025, recognising the next generation of leaders in private equity. Recorded in May, 2026

June 25, 202619 min

Michael Dariane & Michal Kowalski - Co Founders of Blooming Haus

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Michal Kowalski, the Co-Founder and Creative Director, and Michael Dariane, the Co-Founder and Sustainability Director at Blooming Haus. Prior to their current roles, Michal developed expertise in digital marketing and brand strategy while training as a professional florist, and Michael spent over 11 years as a sustainability consultant, working in environmental management and sustainability advisory roles helping organisations design frameworks for measurable environmental impact. Michal holds a Master Floristry certification from Switzerland and Austria, while Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from the American University of Beirut, a Master's degree in Environmental Management and Technology from the University of Manchester, and an Executive MBA from Imperial College London. Michal is the creative force behind Blooming Haus's distinctive design philosophy, blending artistic storytelling with sustainable luxury floristry, and Michael is a leading advocate for integrating sustainability into the creative industries and embedding environmental accountability throughout the company's operations. Recorded in March, 2026

June 23, 202622 min

Todd Tuckner - Group Chief Financial Officer at UBS

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Todd Tuckner, the Group Chief Financial Officer at UBS. Prior to his current role, he was the CFO of Global Wealth Management, Group Controller & Chief Accounting Officer, and Group Head of Tax at UBS. Todd holds a BS in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA in Accounting and Taxation from NYU Stern School of Business and is a former aspiring baseball player before beginning his career in finance. Recorded in May, 2026

June 18, 202622 min

Luis Oganes - Managing Director and Head of Global Macro Research at J.P. Morgan

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Luis Oganes, the Managing Director and Head of Global Macro Research at J.P. Morgan. Prior to his current role, he worked across New York and London at J.P. Morgan, leading global research teams covering rates, currencies, commodities, and emerging markets, following earlier experience at an economic consulting firm in Peru. Luis holds a PhD in Economics from New York University and a BA in Economics from the University of Lima and is an avid enthusiast of contemporary art. Recorded in April, 2026

June 16, 202622 min

Alex Grant - Senior Vice President, UK Country Manager, and Global Head of Crude, Products and Liquids Trading at Equinor

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Alex Grant, the Senior Vice President, UK Country Manager, and Global Head of Crude, Products and Liquids Trading at Equinor. Prior to his current role, he was Senior Vice President for Global Business Development at Equinor and spent over two decades in investment banking at JPMorgan, ABN AMRO, and Jefferies, specializing in M&A and capital markets transactions in the energy sector. Alex holds a master’s degree in Engineering from Oxford and is a leading voice on energy markets, the energy transition, and capital allocation across oil, gas, and renewables. Recorded in March, 2026

May 14, 202620 min

Yann Robard - Founder and Managing Partner of Dawson Partners

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Yann Robard, the Founder and Managing Partner at Dawson Partners. Prior to his current role, he was the Managing Director and Head of Secondaries and Co-Investments at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, helped establish CPPIB’s London office, and worked at JPMorgan Chase following his entrepreneurial venture building a Mexican furniture store in Toronto. Yann holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University and is widely regarded as one of the leading thought leaders and advocates for the evolution of the global secondaries market. Recorded in March, 2026

May 12, 202619 min

Evie Vanezi - EMEA Chief Executive Officer at Jefferies

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Evie Vanezi, the EMEA Chief Executive Officer at Jefferies. Prior to her current role, she was the Chief Risk Officer at Jefferies and held positions at KPMG and the FCA. Evie holds a BSc in Actuarial Science from the LSE and a Master's in Mathematical Finance from Oxford University, and is named one of the Top 100 most influential women in finance in Europe. Recorded in March, 2026

May 5, 202621 min

Scott Adelson - CEO of Houlihan Lokey

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Scott Adelson, the CEO at Houlihan Lokey. Prior to his current role, he was Co-President and Global Co-Head of Corporate Finance. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and is also an entrepreneur with experience founding companies in the food and apparel industries. Recorded in March, 2026