Chris Welsh, Managing Partner
Jonathan Sieff is responsible for asset allocation oversight and macro-level investment direction across listed and private markets. As Chair of the Investment Committee, he provides strategic leadership, high-level investment thought leadership, and direct engagement with key Universum client relationships.
Jonathan has 34 years’ experience across Wealth & Asset Management, Private Equity, and Venture Capital. He has founded, scaled, and led multiple financial services businesses across several jurisdictions. He has chaired Investment Committees overseeing multi-asset portfolios globally and previously served as CEO of Close Brothers Asset Management, Principle Capital (AIM-listed), Prescient Wealth Management, and Joint CEO of Nedbank Private Bank.
Jonathan holds a degree in Economics from Rhodes University.
Brad Mitchell is Chief Investment Partner and the firm’s lead investment professional. He is responsible for setting Universum’s investment philosophy, ensuring strategic alignment across all strategies, and providing ultimate oversight of performance and risk.
Brad is lead portfolio manager for the Universum Multi-Asset and Global Equity portfolios and coordinates all portfolio management discussions across listed markets. He brings 20 years’ experience in investment and risk management, having previously held senior roles as Head of Research and Fund Manager within Wealth & Asset Management businesses.
His career includes quantitative, investment, and management roles at financial services and investment consulting firms in South Africa. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and has completed actuarial examinations through the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (London).
Terry Brunton is a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for designing and implementing tailored investment strategies for private clients and families across Universum’s public and private market solutions.
He has over 23 years’ experience spanning Private Client Wealth & Asset Management, Banking, Private Equity, and Family Office environments, providing him with a deep understanding of complex private client requirements.
Terry holds degrees in Economics and Investment Management.
Nicholas Sieff is a Junior Investment Analyst responsible for assisting with Universum Wealth’s Innovation and Specialist Thematic portfolios.
Prior to joining Universum, Nicholas worked as a Corporate Development Intern at a global cybersecurity firm in New York and London, where he supported mergers and acquisitions initiatives and developed strategic business cases to drive growth.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Stellenbosch University, specialising in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.
Peter Steenkamp is Head of Operations and oversees Universum’s operational infrastructure, including onboarding, client servicing, and trading.
He has seven years’ experience in financial and client services and previously worked as an in-house investment specialist responsible for portfolio monitoring, reporting, and analysis.
Peter holds an Honours degree in Financial Analysis from Stellenbosch University and is a CFA Charterholder.
Ciska Damaskinos is a Client Services Specialist responsible for client onboarding and relationship support. She ensures a seamless onboarding experience while maintaining rigorous KYC and KYB standards.
Since entering the investment industry in 2015, Ciska has developed extensive experience in client servicing and operational excellence, building trusted long-term client relationships.
Chiara Spokes is a Private Markets Analyst responsible for due diligence on fund commitments and co-investments, preparation of investment memoranda, and support of fund reporting and new vehicle launches.
She holds an Engineering degree and a Master’s in Finance from the London School of Economics. Chiara began her career in consulting at Deloitte before transitioning into private equity across both boutique and large-cap firms.
Dani Rubenstein is an Operations Analyst responsible for client service, trade execution, and portfolio management support.
He has prior internship experience in asset management and private equity and holds a double major in Business Administration and Economics with a Finance specialisation. Dani is currently a CFA Level I candidate.
Jacob Snijman supports senior portfolio managers with portfolio reporting, trade execution, client servicing, and compliance processes.
He holds a BCom in Economics and Investment Management from Stellenbosch University and a BCom Honours in Finance from the University of Cape Town, with internship experience at several global institutional investment firms.
Stephanie Morris is a Partner at Universum and oversees the firm’s legal matters and assists with its governance. She also supports the management of Universum’s global platform and contributes to strategic business development.
Stephanie previously spent many years as a lawyer at Mishcon de Reya in London, specialising in complex, multi-jurisdictional family matters for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Her work often involved international trusts, corporate structures, and complex remuneration arrangements.
She holds an LLB Law Degree from the University of Exeter and completed her LPC Diploma at the College of Law in London.
Chris Gunter is Chairman of Universum. He founded and scaled a multinational technology advisory and business transformation firm, successfully exiting to a strategic buyer in 2016 before delivering further tenfold bottom-line growth as CEO.
He later served as Executive Chairman of Diagonal Consulting Inc, leading a transformational strategy that resulted in a 30x ROIC exit to a private equity-backed buyer. Chris has worked extensively with global enterprises and private equity firms including APAX, CVC, and THL on large-scale transformation and separation programmes.
Chris completed his articles at Deloitte, is a Chartered Accountant, and holds Commerce degrees from the University of South Africa and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
