Fabio Dias, the lead instructor for financial modeling at the University of Surrey and managing partner at Stalwart Holdings, is redefining excellence in the worlds of academia and finance.
His unique position as an active leading academic who also runs a quantitative hedge fund is connecting theory and practice. Additionally, Dias is democratizing access to insider knowledge of the often opaque world of hedge funds.
Dias’ Extensive Experience
Dias’ multifaceted expertise was built on his 15-year tenure in technology and risk management at prestigious institutions like Credit Suisse and Lloyds Banking Group. He then transitioned to a role that marries the academic and financial worlds with remarkable dexterity.
As the lead instructor for financial modeling, Dias imparts much-needed knowledge to the next generation of finance leaders at the University of Surrey. The institution is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the U.K. for business and economics by the Times Higher Education rankings.
His dual role extends to managing Stalwart Holdings, a hedge fund that distinguishes itself through a trading strategy powered by quantitative models and artificial intelligence (AI) traders. Dias’ personal investment of £1 million into Stalwart Holdings shows his commitment and belief that the venture is his best investment to date.
Bridging Academic Commitment and Industry Knowledge
Dias’ influence extends beyond Stalwart Holdings. His academic contributions, including peer-reviewed publications in international journals about hedge fund strategies, reinforce his status as a thought leader.
“My brand is unique in that there are very few quantitative hedge funds in the world run by an active leading academic,” Dias explains. “I don’t think hedge fund knowledge should be shrouded in mystery.”
These endeavors disseminate valuable insights into AI applications in finance and foster a dialogue between the academic and financial sectors, nurturing future innovators.
“I transfer knowledge to future market practitioners while providing superior risk-adjusted investment returns to help clients maximize their resources,” Dias states. “It’s a tough duty to students and my clients, but I get it done.”
His position allows him to offer a rare perspective on the intricacies of financial modeling and investment management. Dias can enhance the educational experience for his students at the University of Surrey while elevating the strategic approach of Stalwart Holdings.
Building a Successful Legacy Through Promoting Accessibility
In a further quest to promote accessibility, Stalwart Holdings is becoming ready to offer Certificateless Registry for Electronic Share Transfer (CREST)-eligible investment securities. This will make it possible for any investor who qualifies for investment (professional and high net worth) to hold their investments with Stalwart in the same brokerage account they would use to hold standard liquid investments like bonds issued by the UK government or shares in major companies.
“The plan is to get Stalwart Holdings listed in a recognised exchange and provide daily or near-daily liquidity,” he shares. “Eventually, I plan to get Stalwart set up like any mainstream investment, with full transparency of the portfolio and public announcement of financial statements regularly, like one would expect when investing their hard-worked money on any investment vehicle.”
It sounds like Dias wants to transform Stalwart Holdings into the next Berkshire Hathaway, the highly successful company managed by the legendary investor Warren Buffett, who is known for its openness to the wide market.
The inclusion of the former president of the Brazil Central Bank, Gustavo Loyola, to the Stalwart Holdings advisory board signifies the fund’s growing influence and Dias’ ability to attract esteemed figures in the financial world.
This milestone and his dedication to sharing insider hedge fund knowledge without charging performance fees underscore a shift toward a more inclusive and ethical approach to investment management.
The industry stands on the brink of transformative change, and Dias’ story guides the way toward a more enlightened and fair financial landscape. Reflecting on his dual role’s impact, Dias is hopeful about the future.
“My roles as a lecturer and hedge fund manager are about shaping an ethical industry and, most importantly, making it accessible to all,” he shares. “This is the legacy I aim to build for myself and my company.”
