Head of Global Private Equity

Rafael Sarandeses joined Talengo in 2019 as a Principal to lead the financial services practice.

With a combined 20-year multicultural track record as a professional athlete, investment banker and entrepreneur, and a passion for career development, Rafael brings a deep understanding of performance and change management to the firm.

His career began as a professional racing driver (Spanish Formula 3 Champion in 1998). In 2005 Rafael joined the world of financial services in London, first at Goldman Sachs and later at Morgan Stanley, where he was the head of foreign exchange sales for Southern Europe until the end of 2013.
In 2014, he co-founded ThirdWay Africa, a merchant banking services firm focused on impact investment opportunities with offices in London, Maputo (Mozambique) and Harare (Zimbabwe). He served as Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer from inception, transitioning to an advisory role as an Affiliate Partner in 2019.

Rafael is an executive coach (Columbia Coaching Certification Program, Level 2), a certified habits coach (BJ Fogg’s Behavioral Model) and a Belvin, DISC and NBI certified practitioner.

He is also an Associate Professor at IE Business School and ThePowerMBA, where he helps MBA students and alumni define a sound career strategy and disrupt old career development mantras.

He holds a double master´s degree in law and business management from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE E-3).

In addition to Spanish, his native language, Rafael is fluent in English, Italian and Portuguese, having worked and founded businesses in 5 countries in Europe and Africa.