Season four is officially wrapped, and we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and revisit some of the standout moments. From the unique stories our guests shared to the invaluable insights from some of Australia’s top-performing fund managers, it’s been an incredible journey. We’ve unpacked not just their successes, but also what they’ve gotten wrong—and the frameworks they rely on to stay steady when markets get noisy.

Whether you’ve been with us since Season 1 or have recently joined the Finance Friends community, this episode is the perfect chance to catch up, reflect, and get excited for what’s ahead.

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This week we’re joined by Martyn Simpson, Senior Portfolio Manager at Colchester Global Investors, a global fixed income manager focused on government bonds and currencies.

We dive into the key drivers of bond performance, including inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical events, and explore why governance and strong institutions matter more than ever when allocating capital across countries.

We also break down major market moments from the GFC to the UK gilt crisis and discuss how bond markets can quickly force governments to change course. Martyn offers practical insights into how professional investors think through uncertainty, why having a clear investment framework matters, and how to avoid simply reacting to headlines.

Beyond markets, Martyn shares his unique career journey from studying in South Korea to serving in Iraq and the lessons he’s taken into investing, particularly around staying calm under pressure and thinking long-term.

Whether you’re an investor or just looking to better understand how the global financial system works, this episode is packed with insights on markets, risk, and building a career in finance.

Follow Martyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martyn-simpson-708a5664/

Visit the Colchester Website today: https://colchesterglobal.com.au/

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!

**EPISODE DISCLAIMER: This podcast exists for informational and entertainment purposes only. The personal opinions of the speaker and guest do not represent the view of any other party. If this recording contains reference to financial products, that reference does not constitute advice nor recommendations, and may not be relied upon. Information relating to Colchester Global Investors is only relevant to wholesale clients or wholesale investors and is not suitable for retail investors**

This week, we sit down with Mike Harut, Responsible Investment Manager at Munro Partners, to talk about what the energy transition looks like when you treat it as an investing problem, not a political talking point. From ESG integration to stock selection, we keep it practical: what actually matters, what gets misunderstood, and how pros link “sustainability” to earnings, risk and valuation.

We start with Mike’s background in stewardship and corporate governance, including what you learn when you’re across the table from directors and management teams. Then we zoom in on Munro Partners’ Climate Change Leaders Fund and the core climate change investing thesis.

If you’re researching sustainable investing in Australia, ESG in global equities, or climate transition funds that focus on fundamentals, this chat will no doubt sharpen your framework.

Follow Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeharut/
Visit the Munro Partners website today: https://www.munropartners.com/

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Finance Friends Podcast on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok for daily updates and more inspiring conversations. Got questions or ideas for future episodes? Send us a DM @financefriendspodcast!