How Simon Trenerry found his footing in the Student Managed Fund

For Simon Trenerry, the decision to move away from his home in rural New South Wales and study finance at The Australian National University (ANU) was a long time coming.

“Studying finance at ANU appealed to me for a long time – the University’s world-class reputation, passionate teachers and connections to the industry greatly influenced my decision to move away from home,” he says.

Simon cites Canberra as a big deciding factor – a city offering the benefits of an urban base without the drawbacks of metropolitan living.

The moment he learned about the ANU Student Managed Fund (SMF), he knew he wanted to make use of the opportunity. The SMF is a fully accredited course in which students take responsibility for a real investment portfolio worth close to A$1 million. For Simon, it matched exactly the kind of hands-on, industry-focused learning he was looking for.

Simon served as the SMF’s Chief Risk Officer, through to the end of Semester 1, 2026 leading the team responsible for keeping the Fund’s operations sound.

“The Chief Risk Officer position really has no standard day-to-day outline, as the work is so varied,” he says.

“Broadly, the Risk and Compliance team ensures the Fund’s operations are as smooth as possible. We monitor the portfolio’s performance, critique the investment theses of other teams within the SMF, and ensure it invests in a socially responsible manner.”

Each week, the team presents its findings in fund-wide meetings – realistic preparation for working in an investment fund. For Simon, those meetings also became his steepest learning curve.

“My greatest challenge has undoubtedly been speaking confidently and concisely during these meetings, but I’m thrilled to have quickly overcome these nerves,” he says.

The experience has shaped how he thinks about risk itself. While he values the complex models that underpin asset management, his time with the SMF has taught him not to underestimate clear, grounded reasoning.

“Investment risk is an inescapable part of asset management, and the risk-return trade-off is one that investors must navigate constantly and diligently,” he says.

“While complex models are valuable, my time with the SMF has also given me an appreciation for grounded, rational thinking. I’ve found that a fresh perspective and simple common-sense reasoning can go a long way in determining an investment’s viability.”

Simon is confident about the value his background brings, and he encourages other students from regional and rural areas to recognise what they have to offer.

“First and foremost, do not feel disadvantaged when applying to ANU because you’re from a rural background. With direction and determination, you can become just as competitive as anyone else, or even more so – the rural background offers unique perspectives and life experiences that someone from a major city simply will not have.”

His advice to prospective students is practical: start with the destination, then choose the path.

“Think of your ideal career path first, then select a field of study that aligns with that goal – and remember to connect with employers in the location where you’d like to work.”

As for what comes next, Simon has his sights set on Sydney and a career in asset management.

“I’m seeking a career in asset management. The SMF has given me a great appreciation of all aspects of this industry, not just risk, and I believe it will serve as the perfect stepping stone in my path forward.”

Learn more about the SMF here. 

Image credit: Tim Rendall, CBE