ESSEC Asia-Pacific inaugurated its first Finance Symposium from 17 to 18 January 2025, establishing a powerful new platform for finance education and industry networking in Southeast Asia. The two-day event attracted 154 registrations with 119 attendees, including finance professionals, industry experts, and undergraduate students from Singapore’s top universities.

The symposium, designed to showcase ESSEC’s Master in Finance (MIF) program, delivered a comprehensive exploration of private equity, venture capital, private debt, and investment banking through expert-led sessions and practical workshops.

Industry Leaders Share Global Perspectives

Professor Peng Xu opened the symposium, setting the stage for an intensive knowledge exchange between academia and industry. The event featured an impressive roster of global finance leaders:

  • Sustainability and Innovation in Private Markets
    • Thierry de Panafieu (Shift4Good)
    • Nicolas Du Cray (Cathay Capital)
    • Bruno de Pampelonne (Tikehau IM)
  • Private Debt and Risk Management
    • Shankar Hari (Standard Chartered Bank)
    • Eugene Lim (Blue Owl)
    • Walter Zhang (Indosuez Wealth Management)
    • Moderated by Professor Julien Salanave (ESSEC)
  • Career Development in Finance
    • Sarah Song (Citibank)
    • Choong Tho Chan (CFA Society)
    • Samir Mehta (JOHCM Capital Management)
    • Moderated by Professor Rick Marchese (ESSEC)

The second day focused on hands-on training led by Professor Rick Marchese and ESSEC MIF alumnus Fabien Meyer (TR Capital). Sessions included:

  • Investment Banking Career Strategies: A comprehensive seminar on navigating the competitive finance job market
  • Advanced Deal Mathematics: Practical workshop covering valuation techniques, deal structuring, and financial modeling for M&A and private equity transactions

Building Tomorrow’s Finance Leaders

The symposium exemplifies ESSEC’s commitment to bridging theoretical knowledge with practical industry experience. By bringing together leading practitioners, academics, and aspiring finance professionals, the event created a unique platform for knowledge exchange and professional networking.

“Our inaugural Finance Symposium represents ESSEC’s dedication to preparing the next generation of finance leaders,” said Professor Peng Xu. “The strong turnout and engagement demonstrate the industry’s appetite for such focused, high-level discussions in Asia-Pacific.”

The success of this first symposium has established a strong foundation for future editions. Plans are underway to expand the event’s scope, incorporating emerging trends in financial technology, sustainable finance, and alternative investments.

ESSEC extends special appreciation to the distinguished speakers, industry partners, and attendees who contributed to the symposium’s success. Thanks to Professors Peng Xu and Rick Marchese for curating the program, Professor Julien Salanave for moderating key discussions, and MIF alumnus Fabien Meyer for sharing practical industry insights.