UCL SoM MSc Finance Corporate Speaker Series -Marcelo Carvalho

Marcelo Carvalho, PhD, is a global macroeconomist and keynote speaker with over 30 years of experience at leading financial institutions, including the IMF, Morgan Stanley, and most recently as Global Head of Economics at BNP Paribas. Based in London, Marcelo is known as a “global macro storyteller,” making complex economic and geopolitical issues clear and engaging for diverse audiences. He has led international teams of economists across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, advised policymakers and investors, and appeared regularly on CNBC, Bloomberg, and Reuters. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Marcelo combines academic rigor with practical market insight, helping businesses and students alike navigate the shifting dynamics of global markets.

Lecture Summary
In this guest lecture, Marcelo Carvalho will bring his perspective as a former Global Head of Economics at BNP Paribas to help students make sense of today’s fast-changing macroeconomic landscape. He will explore how shifting geopolitics, U.S. policy under “Trump 2.0,” and Europe’s evolving role in global trade and finance shape opportunities and risks for businesses and investors.

Students will gain an insider’s view of how professional economists build scenarios, from “coordinated recovery” to “strategic decoupling” and “global fragmentation,” and what each means for financial markets, corporate strategy, and career opportunities in finance. Marcelo will also share practical lessons from leading global research teams, translating complex data into actionable insights for decision-makers, and communicating effectively with diverse audiences.

The session will be highly interactive, with space for questions, aiming to give students not just a macroeconomic outlook but also the tools to think critically about how global economics connects to their future roles in finance.

Marcelo's talk will be followed by Q&A.