Simon Smith: Tracking U.S. Economy for London Firm
Scoring well in the fields of math, economics and music as he prepared to enter university, Simon Smith found himself drawn to a career in economics. It’s never a dull moment for Simon as he tracks the U.S. economy as senior economist for Weavering Capital based in Mayfair, London.
“I’ve yet to come into work and think that I’ve got everything sorted and understand everything, so I am always facing new challenges and questions everyday,” Simon tells NABE. It’s a constantly shifting learning curve when you work in financial markets, he says, giving him the chance to “learn and adapt” as conditions change. He joined the Weavering research team on the 4th of July in 2005.
Job Focus
“We have a small research team and within that, I focus primarily on the U.S. economy and work closely with the trading team on our strategies,” Simon explains. The Weavering fixed income fund is a global macro hedge fund that invests in the major fixed income markets.
Online analysis and media work were among Simon’s first forays into the economics profession. At 4cast, an online firm that streams real-time market analyses to clients, he was head of fixed income research. “I have also been head of European fixed income for MMS International, which was part of Standard & Poor’s. Early in my career, I spent time as a specialist researcher within BBC News, advising programs on financial and economic issues,” he says.
Career Path
What drew him to economics? “At first, a process of elimination. My A-levels (taken at the end of high school) were in math, economics, and music, and I had no intention of studying math or music.” Simon earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and business finance at Brunel University and his master’s degree at Birkbeck College, University of London.
He joined NABE early in 2006 after hearing “positive things from fellow economists based in Europe.” He looks to membership as a way “to gain more of an inside track on the thinking of other economists and policymakers and to broaden my network of contacts.” After all, he adds, “at a small firm, it is even more important not to get stuck in your own little world.”
