Grayden Reece-Smith’s Story

Academic Background

I graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010, where I studied Maths, Physics, and Economics. After university, I realized through conversations with charities I had volunteered with that what they needed most was funding, not just more people. This realization significantly shaped my career aspirations. In 2013, I went on to achieve a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD.

Career Path

I initially pursued a career in strategy consulting and later transitioned into investing, both known for their high earning potential. Currently, I am a Carve-Out Investor, which is a role that involves project management and finance. My day-to-day activities include speaking with investment bankers to identify opportunities and reviewing and making investment offers in a process similar to auctioning. I also negotiate and finalize contracts.

Professional Experience

Despite facing 19 rejections during my job application process leaving university, I persevered and eventually secured a position as a junior strategy consultant. I spent six years in strategy consulting, where I developed valuable hard skills and received extensive in-house training. I then moved into investing, where I have spent the past eight years working in both public and private equity. In the UK, salaries in these roles can range from £100,000 to £1,000,000, depending on the position.

Philanthropy and Impact

By 2017, I had donated £250,000 to effective charities, focusing on global health, development, and animal welfare, such as the Malaria Consortium. I believe in earning to give, and I understand that the specific amount a person donates varies depending on their walk with God. I think what matters most is having a sacrificial attitude towards giving.

Influence of Faith

My Christian faith has significantly influenced my life and career. Inspired by the transformative experiences of the disciples following Jesus' resurrection, I strive to live radically for Christ. Reflecting on wealth and giving through tools like the "How rich am I?" quiz, I realised that I remain in a high percentile of wealth even after donating 10-20% of my income. This reinforces my belief in being sacrificial and maintaining a right attitude towards wealth.

Advice for Young Christians

• Research Finance Sectors: Explore the various divisions within finance to find the best fit.

• Consider High-Frequency Trading: This area is popular within the Effective Altruism community due to its academic nature.

• STEM Backgrounds: Common pathways into investment careers often include STEM degrees.

• Objective Thinking: Enjoying and excelling in objective thinking can be beneficial for a career in investments.

• Workload Expectation: Be prepared for demanding work weeks, often ranging from 90 to 100 hours.

Grayden’s Impact

At CFI, we believe that Grayden is on a high-impact path because so far through his career, Grayden has made meaningful contributions through philanthropy. Grayden has donated over £250,000 to effective charities, focusing on global health and animal welfare, reflecting his commitment to "earning to give." Grayden’s career and philanthropic efforts illustrate a successful blend of high-earning potential and impactful charitable contributions.