Our group of “Expendables” is a remarkable assembly of independent market professionals, to whom I owe an immense debt of gratitude. Their unwavering support in guiding and nurturing my students as they embark on their journey to become knowledgeable investors and speculators is truly invaluable. These extraordinary individuals generously contribute their expertise in various ways, from conducting engaging lectures and sharing high-value research to creating educational video clips or securing internships in the financial industry for my most talented students.
Each member of our Expendables team runs their own successful businesses as investors, analysts, and traders. Moreover, their extensive experience includes making critical investment decisions for customers and their own firms on a daily basis. You can explore their impressive individual profiles by visiting the links provided below or visit the pro tab to connect to their respective outfits.
Personally, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with these exceptional individuals for many years during my time in London, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf. Their willingness to share their wealth of knowledge and expertise with my students in their respective fields of excellence has been nothing short of extraordinary. Their commitment to contributing their time and resources on a pro bono basis allows me to offer an affordable yet professional syllabus to students who seek a comprehensive and no-nonsense financial education.
As for the reason behind our playful moniker, “Expendables,” it stems from the fact that none of us are bound by corporate structures any longer. Instead, we thrive as independent thinkers, decision-makers and entrepreneurs. Whenever impartial, non-political guidance or quick action is required, our phones are the ones that ring. And of course, I am a Sylvester Stallone fan.
In conclusion, the Expendables represent a group of dedicated individuals whose shared goal is to empower and educate students with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the world of finance confidently
Hong Kong
Anand Batepati – The Compounder
Anand is the portfolio manager for GFM Focus Investing and is responsible for all research, investment management, and performance generated here.
Anand is a co-founder of GFM and has 20 years of finance experience. Before starting GFM, Anand was the Head of Multi-Asset Structuring for Asia at Rabobank. He has previously worked for HSBC, Bear Stearns, JP Morgan, and the World Bank.
He holds two master’s degrees in finance from London Business School and Asian Institute of Management / McGill University and has worked in New York, London, and Hong Kong in his career.
London
Bilal Hafeez – The Strategist
Bilal Hafeez is the Founder and CEO of Macro Hive.
He was Global Head of International Fixed Income Strategy at Nomura between 2016 and 2019 and held various senior roles at Deutsche Bank between 2002 and 2015 including Head of Multi-Asset Research, Advisor to the CEO, Head of Asia Research in Singapore and Global Head of Foreign Exchange Research.
Bilal started his career at JP Morgan in 1998 and was rated #1 market strategist by Euromoney and Institutional Investor between 2004 and 2013. He pioneered FX investment and smart beta benchmarks and was an Honorary Visiting Professor of Finance at Cass Business School.
He studied Economics at St Johns College, Cambridge and has seven cats, four chickens, a beehive and one dog.
Zürich
Ebrahim Attarzadeh – The Trader
Founder of Callirius AG, Ebrahim Attarzadeh, known as “Ebbie” has been the head of 5 different companies and presently is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Callirius AG. Before he started his own Asset Management Company he was Chief Executive Officer for Stifel Europe Bank AG (Investment Management). Ebrahim Attarzadeh is also on the board of 5 other companies.
In his past career he occupied the position of Chief Executive Officer for Stifel Europe Bank AG, Head-Sales & Trading at Stifel Schweiz AG and Member-Management Board at Stifel Schweiz AG (Investment Management).
Ebrahim Attarzadeh received a graduate degree from Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg.
London
Nic Themistocli – The Chief Investment Officer
During more than 30-year in Financial Markets, Nic’s roles included Chief Investment Officer of a large German Asset Manager, Head of a German Bank Branch in London, leading one of the largest European Government Bond Trading desks and amongst others co-heading a Fintech Strategic Investment Vehicle as well as being a member of a Mezzanine Investment Fund.
In 2020 Nic co-founded IFF Investments for Future GmbH (www.iff.world) to assist retail and institutions establish a structured approach to saving. He is also advising Instructional Investors in Global Macro and offers Training in Trading and Technical Analysis through O3C markets Ltd (www.o3cmarkets.com).
Nic is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales (FCA), a CFA Charterholder (CFA) and a Certified Elliott Wave Analyst (CEWA).
Frankfurt
Thorsten R. Wegener – The Market Maker
After studying law and economics in Berlin, Thorsten began his career as an options market maker at WestLB in Düsseldorf. He later worked as a partner for the derivatives business at Bear Stearns in London before retiring.
He currently works as a stay-at-home dad, cook and chauffeur and devotes his sparse free time to various activities. He is a specialist author, investor and recently also active as a YouTube instructor on the channel he founded, “The Tactical Brief”, to stay mentally fit.