Autumn 2024 team

Joshua is an energetic student in his 3rd year of a double degree in Engineering and Finance. His academic background in both Engineering and Finance provides him with a unique skill set that combines quantitative analysis with financial acumen. Over the past 3 years, Joshua has been able to deepen his knowledge of financial markets and transform this into a passion by actively engaging in retail investing. 

His work experience includes administration and customer service for large institutions such as UTS but currently, his focus leans towards working with small businesses in all-encompassing roles, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability in various environments. Within the small businesses, he’s able to use his learnings from finance as well as his programming skills to manage and optimise day-day operations, financial reporting and profitability and is building a track record of consistent successes. 

The opportunity that the Anchor Fund facilitates by offering connections with seasoned industry professionals is something that greatly excites Joshua as it provides the chance to deepens his comprehension of the financial world beyond what traditional academic institutions allow. Joshua plans to use the financial management skills from his work and university experience as a base to develop his skills within the Anchor Investment Fund. He also desires to integrate his programming abilities into his experience at the fund by engaging in quantitative analysis of financial markets as part of the portfolio construction process. 

Furthermore, Joshua aspires to leverage the invaluable insights acquired through the Anchor Fund to kickstart his career in finance and is excited to be a part of a team so driven to challenge and practically apply themselves within the Anchor Investment Fund. 

Damanbir, a diligent and ambitious student, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business with an extended major in Finance. His academic journey is characterized by a profound enthusiasm for hands-on learning experiences, emphasizing the real-world application of financial theories and principles.

Throughout his time at the University of Technology Sydney Business School, Damanbir has nurtured a deep-seated passion for finance. This passion is not only evident in his academic pursuits but also in his proactive engagement in extracurricular activities related to finance, demonstrating his commitment to excellence in this field.  

He is honoured to be selected for participation in the Anchor Fund, offering him a unique platform to engage with industry leaders and refine his understanding of global financial markets. Damanbir is eager to leverage this unparalleled opportunity to propel his career in the industry. 

Marcel Darwish, Asset Allocation Team Leader

Marcel Darwish is in his second year at the University of Technology Sydney, where he is majoring in Finance with an extended focus. His academic journey is marked by a blend of scholastic excellence and practical experience, driven by a passion to make a significant impact in the finance industry and secure a position in investment banking.

Marcel has a solid background in Private Equity, having committed seven months to a role at a private equity firm, where he worked full time as an Equity Broker. Remarkably, he is the youngest in the firm's history to lead and manage an intern team, directing their efforts in researching and trading active domestic equities on the ASX. This role has not only honed his analytical abilities but also highlighted his leadership skills. Marcel has now moved onto a Junior role as a financial consultant specialising in property investments and private loans for commercial infrastructure.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Marcel is enthusiastic about the global financial market. He is keen to contribute significantly to the UTS Investment Fund program, aiming to forge new opportunities within the finance sector. Through this program, he seeks to acquire insights and practical knowledge that will enhance his academic learning.

Ella Banfield, Portfolio Manager

Ella is in her penultimate year of a double degree at UTS, studying Medical Science and Business with a major in Finance. These combined studies have equipped her with a diverse and multifaceted perspective on the finance industry, and have motivated her interest in ethical healthcare investing.

Ella’s academic achievements, including placement on the university’s Dean’s Merit List in both disciplines, attest to her dedication and ability to excel in challenging environments.  

Beyond her academic pursuits, Ella is currently Vice President of the university dance society. Along with treasury and financial management experience, this role has expanded her skillset in collaborate problem solving, as well as creative and analytical reasoning.  

Ella has a genuine enthusiasm for learning and is excited to be at the start of her finance journey, striving for a career in which she can make a real and positive impact. 

Anthony Cao is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a Bachelor of Business degree, majoring in Finance and Accounting, from the University of Technology Sydney. His academic excellence is highlighted by his recognitions such as the Australian Financial Review Top100 Future Leader (2024) and the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship (2023). 

Professionally, Anthony has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in various roles. As the Director of Finance at UN Youth NSW, he managed over $100K in financial assets, executing critical financial decisions and preparing forecasts for national executives. His tenure at a Business Services Accountant at a boutique firm saw him managing tax documents for high-net-worth individuals, showcasing his expertise in compliance and strategic financial optimisation. His role as a Business Consultant/Accountant at Sherpa Tax involved preparing tax returns and consulting for local businesses, further affirming his commitment to enhancing business performance. 

Anthony's leadership skills extend beyond his professional career into significant contributions to the community, such as his pro-bono consulting for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation, where he devised innovative fundraising strategies. As a New Colombo Plan Alumni Ambassador and Australia UN Peace Delegate, Anthony fosters international relations and educational exchanges, showcasing his passion for international affairs and diplomacy. His skills are complemented by proficiency in Bloomberg, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Suite, and video editing, alongside fluency in Vietnamese. Anthony's diverse interests, including international affairs, golf, marathons, and travel, reflect his well-rounded personality and commitment to lifelong learning and global engagement. 

Darcy Davies, Portfolio Manager

Darcy is a highly motivated and enthusiastic Finance & Accounting undergraduate student seeking to gain & apply knowledge within the Finance industry. Darcy is a Finance Assistant/Analyst at Centennial and has been elected as the 2024 Undergraduate Representative for the UTS Business Faculty. Through his eagerness to learn, Darcy looks to leverage the opportunity the Anchor Investment Fund provides to gain skills & valuable industry experience. 

Samara is a penultimate year Law and Business (majoring in Finance) student. She currently works part-time with ActivateUTS and intends to begin work in the financial sphere. Samara was previously a Publications Director in the Women in Business society and is highly proficient in Indonesian, planning to compete a semester in Indonesia through the New Columbo Plan.  

Samara has a particular interest in international businesses and markets, particularly with Australia's closest neighbours in the Indo-Pacific region. After graduating, Samara plans to pursue a career in Austrade or DFAT, combining both her legal and financial knowledge to attract international investments to help Australian businesses go further.