The Team

Global SWF comprises seasoned professionals with background in consulting and banking, in data and analytics, in journalism and academics, and in web development. Some of our team members have worked for other data providers in the past and are highly experienced in tailoring key big data for different client segments. Our data and research offering is complemented with consulting, executive education and events, making Global SWF a one-stop shop for all SWF-related services.

Diego Lopez

Managing Director of Global SWF, based in New York / Singapore. He is a world-renowned expert on Sovereign Wealth Funds, having acted as practitioner and advisor for many years and published several articles in leading academic journals. He has worked as an external consultant for the World Bank and the United Nations and supported the establishment or reformulation of a number of SWFs around the world.

Diego is a seasoned banker and consultant with over 17 years of experience. Prior to founding Global SWF, he spent five years building up PwC’s footprint in the SWF industry as the Director and COO of the global practice. He started his career in Santander, and spent several years in Accuracy and KPMG.

He has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East, China, Brazil and the US. He earned his Masters in Finance from the London School of Economics (LSE) after graduating in the Universities of Madrid and Milan. He is a FINRA-registered representative with Series 62, 63 and 79.

Diego is a prolific open water and ice swimmer, having raced in all seven continents including Antarctica, and acts as an ambassador for the Ocean’s recovery. He is the author of the book "Continents Seven: Values for sports, business and life, learned around the world"

Daniel Brett

Head of Research & Data of Global SWF, based in London. He started his career in journalism before becoming managing editor of a business intelligence provider. He has since worked for 17 years as a consultant to Fitch with a focus on O&G, chemicals & finance.

Prior to joining Global SWF's team, he was head of data and research at Institutional Investor's Sovereign Wealth Center. He has also worked for OPEC and other organizations providing intelligence on oil, gas, electricity and renewables in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Daniel is a fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and a member of the Royal Africa Society, having graduated in political science at Queen Mary University of London and obtaining a Master of Science in international development at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

He has a black belt in Taekwondo and is a senpai student of Shotokan Karate. He has also fought competitively in fencing in the foil category.

Edward Tang

Head of Asian Sales at Global SWF, based in Singapore. Prior to this role, he has had a diverse career spanning multiple industries, including the Singapore Foreign Service, journalism, media advertising, and business development.

He has strong interest in institutional investments in the Asia Pacific, including sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds. He spent several years in journalism with the Straits Times and, more recently, with the AsianInvestor, where he covered these topics. 

Edward holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Upper Honors) from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in Marketing, Finance and Business Strategy. He is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese as well as conversational Japanese and Thai.

He enjoys reading, golf, jogging, brisk walking, current affairs, music, movies, and social media.

Andrew Waddington

Business Development at Global SWF, based in New York. He started his career as a staff assistant at the US House of Representatives, before working for 4.5 years at the IMF as a project analyst.

Drew completing a BA in Global Studies and Minor in Spanish cum laude from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master of International Business at Tufts University in Boston.

He was a four-year member of NCAA Division 1 soccer team while at school and is an avid traveler. He is advanced in Spanish and Arabic.

Adhrika Nair

Research Intern of Global SWF, based in Qatar. She is a recent graduate of Qatar University, where she completed a bachelor's degree in finance and economics with Honors (Order of Excellence).

Adhrika completed an internship at UBS Qatar as part of the Global Wealth Management team and was also a research intern at the CEO’s Office of Mentor Match India, an ed tech start up.

She is a passionate blogger on global affairs, economics and finance and was a volunteer at FIFA WC’22.

Jack Leversidge

Research Intern of Global SWF, based in the UK. He is a final year student at Northumbria University, where he is completing a bachelor's degree in finance and investment management.

Jack completed a one-year placement at UBS Asset Management as a member of the Global Sovereign Markets team and also a summer internship at MUFG’s Debt Capital Markets Team.

He is an avid golf player (+1 handicap) and runner (marathons).

Julia Nash

Research Intern of Global SWF, based in New York. She is a sophomore student at Columbia University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Economics.

Julia grew up in Abu Dhabi, where she attended the American Community School. Last summer, she completed an internship at the Middle East Institute during her freshman year.

She is fluent in Arabic and conversational in French, and she is an avid runner.

Faculty Board

A group of highly seasoned advisors and former SWF executives, who act as faculty for the SWF Academy.

An image of Paul O'Brien -
Paul O'Brien

(USA)

Trustee Wyoming RS
ex-Deputy CIO, ADIA
ex-PM, Morgan Stanley
PhD Minnesota, SB MIT

An image of Andrew Rozanov - An Advisory Board member of Global SWF
Andrew Rozanov

(London)

Coined the term “SWF”
ex-Board Member, NIC
ex-State Street, UBS
Masters MSU

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Eugene O'Callaghan

(Dublin)

Co-Founder, EHA
ex-CEO, Ireland’s ISIF
ex-COO, Irish Life IM
BComm, UCD Dublin

An image of Kristian Flyvholm - An Advisory Board member of Global SWF
Kristian Flyvholm

(Abu Dhabi)

CIO at UAE CB
Inaugural CEO IFSWF
ex-IMF, ECB, BoB
MBA Aarhus

An image of Guan Seng Khoo - An Advisory Board member of Global SWF
Guan Seng Khoo

(Singapore)

Adjunct Lecturer SMU
ex-VP/Head ERM, AIMCo
ex-Snr Director, Temasek
PhD NUS