Derek’s early career was at Barings Investment Bank, where he ran a US$25m Forex sales desk in London, before setting up a sports agency. He then joined Merrill Lynch Private Banking, becoming a Partner in the bank’s largest team in Europe with US$2bn of assets under management. In this role he was a trusted adviser to high-profile sporting and media personalities, entrepreneurs featured in the Sunday Times Rich List and CEOs of listed companies.

Motivated by a passion for unlocking potential in the next generation, Derek founded Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA), a global Gen Z and Gen Alpha insights agency. As CEO of EiA, he works with leading organisations across financial services, engineering, technology, and public services in the UK, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Through EiA, Derek connects senior leaders directly with emerging talent, providing grounded insight into generational expectations, cultural dynamics, and the behavioural implications of technology-driven change. His work helps organisations strengthen engagement, performance, and long-term talent resilience.

Derek partners with senior leaders as a strategic guide and constructive challenger, helping them navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. His mentoring approach blends strategic reframing with intergenerational intelligence to anticipate cultural, technological and generational shifts, strengthen decision making and minimise blind spots. Working through a whole leader lens, he emphasises alignment across work, health, family and personal purpose, coupling disciplined energy management with resilience and long term growth. Drawing on decades in banking, entrepreneurship and elite sport, he brings a steady, adaptive mindset and a practical perspective on digital and AI driven trends so leaders remain relevant and equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving landscape.