LSE Focal Point Podcast

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Michael Schad, a Partner and the Head of Credit Secondaries at Coller Capital. Prior to his current role, he was an investment banker at Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse First Boston. Michael holds a BA in International Business Studies from European Business School and an MSc in Finance from London Business School and is an Executive Fellow at London Business School.Recorded in February, 2026

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Michael Grampp, the Chief Economist and Head of Thought Leadership at Deloitte Switzerland. Prior to his current role, he worked in financial services in London, held roles in investment banking research at Bankers Trust, and co-founded a renewable energy venture in Australia. Michael holds a Master’s degree from the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, an Executive Master’s from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and a PhD from Leipzig University. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Zurich and the host of the Deloitte Future Talk podcast. Throughout the conversation, Michael references several pieces of thought leadership his team has produced, including Confidence Despite Global Uncertainties (October 2025), Opportunities and Risks in 2026: What Lies Ahead for Boards of Directors (March 2026), Ageing Switzerland: Growth Despite Demographic Change (February 2025), and the Deloitte Swiss Watch Industry Study 2025 (October 2025). Episode recorded on February 20th, 2026.

William Guillet de Chatellus, Co‑founder and Managing Partner of Edgewater Strategy Group and ex-Morgan Stanley/private equity pro, discusses building a plug-and-play deal team. He explains why he left corporate roles to fill a market gap and how Edgewater scales operational value creation. He also touches on founding surprises, hiring, and how AI will reshape M&A execution.

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Megan McDonald, the CEO of Daiwa Capital Markets Europe. Prior to her current role, she worked in corporate law, transitioned into investment banking at Standard Bank, and later led securitization and broader capital markets businesses. Megan holds a university degree as the first in her family to graduate and is a strong advocate for leadership, diversity, and cross-cultural understanding in global finance.Recorded in February, 2026

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Karim Chedid, Managing Director and Head of EMEA Investment Strategy at BlackRock. Prior to his current role, he was a strategist on the equity derivatives desk at Nomura and a founding member of the investment strategy team at BlackRock. Karim holds a degree in economics from the American University of Beirut and a Master’s in Urban Economics from UCL.Recorded in February, 2026

Join us for an insightful conversation with Alice Squires, Partner and Co-Head of Investor Advisory at Rothschild & Co, looking at topics including financial markets and careers in banking, the rise of shareholder activism and ESG challenges, and how companies engage investors and defend their strategies.Recorded in January, 2026

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Iqbal Khan, the Co-President of Global Wealth Management and President of Asia Pacific at UBS. Prior to his current role, he held various roles at EY and Credit Suisse. Iqbal holds a CPA and CFA qualification and is the recipient of the 2025 Euromoney World’s Best Private Banker award.Recorded in January, 2026

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Maria Watts, Head of Global Financial Sponsors Group and Head of Global Consumer Investment Banking at Baird. Prior to her current role, Maria worked in corporate finance at Stephens and held roles at Farlie Turner & Co and PMCF. Maria holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and graduated from Centenary College of Louisiana, and is actively involved in several civic and cultural organisations, alongside her background as an NCAA Division I athlete.Recorded in January, 2026 

Join us for another insightful episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Saul Klein, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Phoenix Court. Prior to his current role, he began his career in journalism at The Daily Telegraph before moving into technology in the US, joining Firefly Network (acquired by Microsoft), co-founding Lovefilm (acquired by Amazon), and later serving in leadership roles at Skype and across the European tech ecosystem. Saul read English at the University of Cambridge and remains deeply engaged in technology, policy, and public service, serving on the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology and supporting founders from idea stage through scale.Recorded in February, 2026

Join us for another engaging episode at Focal Point where today we are joined by Grant Schlereth, Partner and Director of Operations and ESG at Terra Firma Capital Partners. Prior to his current role, he worked in infrastructure engineering, advised on large-scale business transformations at McKinsey & Company, and supported decarbonization strategy for financial institutions. Grant holds a Master’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and is passionate about advancing environmental and social impact across real asset businesses.Recorded in January, 2026