Ipek has built an extensive career in the financial markets, with 25+ years of experience focusing on equities. After starting off as an Analyst, Equity Research and Strategy at Bloomberg, Société Generale and then at Deutsche Bank, she spent more than 16 years as Director of Sales at Deutsche Bank, and more recently as Head of the European Office of Auerbach Grayson.

Ms Cruz specializes in financial and corporate advisory and engages with sovereign wealth funds, endowments, as well as strategic relationships with prominent families and Institutions globally.

Ms Cruz holds a BA and an MBA degree from Oxford University and Westminster Business School, respectively. She has been a Governor and Trustee to several charities and has also held non-executive director roles.