Celebrating 40 Years of SIM-UoL: Alumni Stories of Impact and Achievement (Part 3)

For 40 years, the Singapore Institute of Management and the University of London (SIM-UoL) partnership have brought an internationally recognised education to generations of learners in Singapore. Across this time, its programmes have provided a foundation for careers in a wide range of fields, including the diverse and dynamic world of finance.

In this feature, we hear from professionals working across global macro strategy, sustainable capital markets, credit ratings, and securities, showing the many facets of the financial sector.
 

Zhuang Bo
Global Macro Strategist, Asia, Loomis, Sayles & Company
BSc Economics and Management | 2005

 
Zhuang Bo with his wife, Tracy, whom he met in SIM

Looking back, my time at SIM was one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. SIM’s strong academic quality and solid reputation among Singaporeans were decisive factors in my decision to study there. I also had a clear plan to pursue postgraduate studies overseas, and SIM provided an excellent foundation for that path.

I am extremely grateful for the training and experience I gained at SIM. The University of London curriculum gave me a strong foundation for my postgraduate studies in the UK, and the experience instilled in me the importance of maintaining a global perspective. Beyond academics, I made many lifelong friends and, most importantly, met my then girlfriend, now my wife, Tracy, at SIM. I even hope that one day I may return to SIM to teach.

That global perspective influenced my decision to build my career overseas. After completing my master’s degree at the University of Warwick, I was fortunate to begin my career as an Emerging Markets Economist in London. Over the years, I progressed to become Chief China Economist, a role that allowed me to travel extensively and engage with thousands of institutional investors worldwide. I subsequently spent more than a decade working across London and Beijing before eventually returning to Singapore. Those years gave me invaluable exposure to different markets, cultures and perspectives, as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry.

One of the memorable moments was my first appearance on Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC). In the year I graduated from SIM, I was interviewed by The New Paper as a student. At the time, seeing my name and photo in print felt like a defining moment. Years later, when my friends in Singapore called after seeing me on CNBC, it brought back that fond memory. My work is now frequently featured in the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Bloomberg and other leading global media outlets. This has been a reminder that life can exceed expectations when we are willing to push beyond our boundaries.

Today, I continue to draw on those experiences in my work in Singapore. The foundation I gained at SIM remains an important part of how I approach my work.
 

Shradha Agrawal
Vice President, Sustainable Capital Markets Advisory, HSBC UK
BSc Banking and Finance | 2016

  
Shradha on her graduation day and at the LSE Summer School (girl in the red dress)

 

My years at SIM marked a truly transformative chapter in my personal and academic journey. I was drawn to SIM for its welcoming, student-focused environment, international curriculum and the opportunity to earn a globally recognised University of London qualification. I chose the Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance because it aligned with my interest in finance and allowed me to select modules that genuinely engaged me. It gave me a solid academic foundation, challenged me intellectually and equipped me with practical, real-world knowledge and skills that I could carry with me throughout my career.

After graduating from SIM, I pursued a master’s in accounting and finance at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). My time at SIM played a pivotal role in opening that door. I was awarded a SIM-LSE Summer School Scholarship to study Financial Markets at LSE, and that summer experience was truly transformative. It broadened my perspective, deepened my interest in finance and gave me early exposure to a world-class institution and a global network of peers. Inspired by that exposure, I went on to successfully complete the master’s programme in accounting and finance at LSE.

The combination of my SIM foundation and LSE experience became a powerful springboard into my professional career. I began my journey in banking with HSBC, where I had the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals in a fast-paced and intellectually challenging environment. Those early years were formative. I learned to thrive under pressure, take initiative and constantly push myself beyond my comfort zone.

SIM was an impact-focused community. Through the SIM Scholars network, I took part in community and social outreach projects that shaped how I think about what finance can do beyond the numbers and who it can help. Today, I have more than 9 years of banking experience. I have worked with Sustainable Solutions teams to advise clients across equity, debt and private markets, aligning corporate objectives with access to ESG-focused capital. I have also structured and advised on more than 100 debt deals, including over 50 landmark ESG frameworks, translating market trends and regulatory shifts into commercial solutions. Beyond transactions, I have had the opportunity to engage with C-suite stakeholders, develop talent and contribute to industry-wide sustainability initiatives.

Looking back, SIM gave me more than an academic qualification. It gave me the foundation and confidence to think bigger, pursue opportunities globally and keep stretching myself. Those lessons continue to shape the way I approach my career today.

 

Amos Koh
Ratings Associate, Moody’s Investors Services
BSc Economics and Finance | 2019

  
Amos with his wife, Rachel, whom he met in SIM
 

When I was deciding where to pursue my degree, going overseas was not an option I could afford. I therefore turned to local higher education PEIs, and after comparing my options, I felt there was “no question that SIM was the best option”. The UOL programme stood out to me, particularly because of its association with LSE.

Looking back, my time at SIM taught me much more than academic knowledge. It taught me that I was capable of learning independently, with discipline, consistency and the right mindset.

One of my key memories was receiving my first-year results. Neither my parents nor I expected me to receive the Academic Achievement Award and be named the global top scorer for EC2020 Elements of Econometrics. At that point, I felt like my hard work really paid off, and I became even more motivated to work harder in my second year with the goal of earning a scholarship to pursue a master’s at LSE.

My second year was a huge challenge. I had to balance my studies with being a Peer-Assisted Learning leader, Corporate Development Deputy Director at SIM, job and master’s applications. I committed to 40 hours of study each week and used weekly task lists to make sure my time was spent meaningfully. At the same time, I made sure to enjoy meals, drinks and time with my classmates and SIM friends.

Today, I am at Moody’s Ratings, covering sovereign, sub-sovereign and supranational credits, having previously worked at Commerzbank and Fitch Solutions. One of my most memorable experiences has been travelling to lesser-visited countries such as the Solomon Islands and Uzbekistan, where I had the opportunity to speak with government officials and ministers as part of sovereign assessments.

I am tremendously grateful to the staff at SIM, especially Dr Zhang Jianlin, Dr Wong Wan Hoong, Dr Sovan Patra, and Ms Sylvia Yeo, whose support helped me secure admission and a scholarship to LSE. If it weren’t for the support of everyone at SIM, I can say for sure I wouldn’t be where I am today.

 

Jay Zhang
Regional Director, Guosen Securities
BSc Accounting and Finance | 2008

 
Jay with Dr Phil Stephenson, Associate Lecturer at The Open University and Visiting Lecturer for SIM-UOL Programmes

I first arrived in Singapore in 2004 to attend a local private school, but I was dissatisfied with both the quality of classes and the lecturers’ teaching methods. Determined to find a better educational fit, I followed local friends’ recommendations to explore SIM. Upon visiting the campus, I was immediately impressed by its atmosphere and the well-structured nature of its programmes. I was also thrilled to discover it offered my target fields of accounting and finance, which solidified my decision to transfer to SIM.

A defining moment came nine months before graduation. With the support of SIM’s Career Connect office, faculty and staff, I secured an offer from Deloitte Auditing Singapore. Unfortunately, a work visa issue forced me to decline the offer and return to my home country. While disappointed at the time, the experience bolstered my confidence, proving I could compete for top roles, and fostered resilience in the face of unforeseen setbacks.

Shortly after graduating from SIM in 2008, I returned to China and joined the Development Bank of China as a Liquidity Specialist, managing the bank’s liquidity and analysing macroeconomic trends and interbank lending markets. After 18 months, I pursued an MBA at the University of Maryland, where I focused on finance and entrepreneurship. I was selected as one of 12 student analysts to manage the Mayer Fund, a $2.5 million student-run investment fund, and successfully proposed Visa Inc. as a buy target. One of the highlights was being invited to a group lunch with Warren Buffett, an invaluable opportunity to learn from his wisdom on investing and leadership.

After completing my MBA, I returned to China and was eager to pursue my longstanding passion for the finance industry. I then joined Guosen Securities, where I progressed from Project Manager to Regional Director. I currently oversee the business development of securities financing for the entire northern region, covering 14 branches across 11 provinces, Beijing, and Tianjin.

Throughout my career, I have continued to draw on the foundation I developed at SIM. SIM taught me that school is more than just a place to acquire knowledge. It is an ecosystem of resources designed to support student success. The career office, career fairs, peers and professors were all invaluable during my job search, and I learned to leverage these resources strategically to pursue my goals. This skill of identifying and utilising available support has remained critical throughout my career. From my early career in banking to my current role in securities finance, each experience has built on the technical skills, work ethic and resilience I developed at SIM.

 

Together, their stories reflect the diverse ways SIM-UoL alumni are building careers and making an impact across the finance industry. Their experiences offer a glimpse into the opportunities available and the possibilities that lie ahead.

This is Part 3 of the SIM-UOL 40th Anniversary series. Catch up on the stories here: Part 1 | Part 2