For sustainable, forward-thinking investment professionals
The Future of Investment Festival is a window on the future for fund selectors, financial advisers and pension professionals. Leading experts will provide a comprehensive overview of the megatrends, innovations, regulations and strategies that will define the future of investment.
Gain the knowledge and tools you need to drive value, protect portfolios, and achieve positive investor outcomes in a sustainable way.
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Delegate Registration
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Chair Welcome
Speakers
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Investing in a changing world: Managing geopolitical risk in your investment portfolio
Analysis of the current global geopolitical landscape and how ongoing conflicts, shifting alliances, and trade tensions are creating a complex and volatile future for investors. Baroness Ashton will provide a valuable perspective on the top-down geopolitical factors impacting investment decision-making.
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Navigating Sustainable Disclosure Requirements: A practical guide to labelling
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched its Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) labelling regime to combat greenwashing, enhance sustainability disclosures, and boost transparency for consumers. In this keynote session we’ll outline the key components of the SDR, gain clarity on the different fund categories and discuss the common challenges faced by firms in implementing SDR labelling.
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Decoding what SDR means for investment advice
Julia will draw on her extensive industry experience to offer clear and practical analysis of what the SDR regulatory framework will mean for fund managers and financial advisers.
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Break
Future of Investment: Wealth Management and Financial Advice
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Positioning portfolios for a changing world
As the threats to globalisation increase, it has never been more pertinent for investors to allocate their money to adaptable businesses offering long-term sustainable returns. Identifying future winners has always been tricky, however, we believe combining a top-down framework with a bottom-up stock picking approach that really considers all aspects of investment opportunities can help construct portfolios best positioned for a changing future.
Join Mike Fox, Head of Equities at Royal London Asset Management where he will discuss:
- Key trends that he believes are here to stay for years to come
- How to construct portfolios that he believes will help investors be on the right side of change
- The importance of long-term investments when navigating through volatility
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You’ve been lied to for years! Evidence that active funds do outperform, that people are the problem, and that disciplined processes are the key to investment success
During the session George will be delving into current market trends and sentiments within the active passive market, the data driving them and the misrepresentations often made. George’s presentation will demonstrate how the science is clear that both philosophies add value at different times and that the use of a robust, rules-based and data-driven investment process is key to identify when, and benefitting from both worlds.
- How to properly assess active fund outperformance rates
- How people and poor discipline drive poor performance
- How to properly monitor and select active funds over time
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Impact: capitalise on a broadening market
The new political environment is a headwind for impact investors, but this challenge comes with opportunities that, we believe, are best identified at the bottom-up level. We will explain how we identify those opportunities across our Impact Team, taking our Emerging Market equity strategy as the main example.
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Future of Pensions Innovation & Investment: Trustees and scheme management
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Beyond the Horizon: The Future of Defined Benefit Pensions
This session will explore the key challenges and opportunities facing DB schemes, offering expert insights and practical strategies for ensuring their long-term sustainability and meeting the needs of beneficiaries.
- Discussing asset allocation strategies, the role of alternative investments, and the growing importance of ESG considerations in DB portfolios.
- Exploring various de-risking options, including liability-driven investment (LDI), buy-ins, and buyouts. We'll discuss the factors to consider when choosing the right endgame strategy for a scheme.
- Examining how technology can improve efficiency, enhance risk management, and improve communication with members. We'll discuss the potential of AI, machine learning, and data analytics in DB pension management.
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UK institutional appetite for private assets: Where to next?
- Current market sentiment and usage of private assets
- LTAFs: Ready for take-off?
- Responsible investing in private markets: No thanks, nice to have, or must have?
- The pan-European picture: How does UK demand compare?
Speakers
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Building a Diversified Private Market Solution for DC Schemes
The barriers to private market investing are falling, presenting DC schemes with exciting opportunities to diversify their portfolios and potentially enhance returns. However, navigating this complex landscape requires careful planning and execution. This session will provide pension trustees and scheme managers with a practical roadmap for successfully building a diversified private market solution within a DC scheme.
- Identifying the potential benefits of incorporating private market allocations in DC schemes, including diversification, enhanced return potential, and long-term growth prospects.
- Developing a well-defined investment strategy with clear objectives, risk parameters, and target allocations for different private market asset classes.
- Addressing the practical challenges of implementing private market investments in a DC context – vehicle selection, liquidity management, valuation and reporting.
- Importance of thorough due diligence when selecting private market managers. Key factors to consider, such as track record, investment process, risk management, ESG integration, and alignment of interests.
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Lunch
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From Algorithms to Alpha: Generative AI and the transformation of the investment industry
Generative AI and intelligent agents are revolutionising the investment industry—driving efficiency, enhancing decision-making, and reshaping alpha generation. In this session, Symon will explore the strategic implications of AI innovations, share insights into real-world applications, and provide a framework to accelerate AI transformation in your business, ensuring you thrive in an evolving financial landscape.
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Investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy in an era of rising volatility
In 2025, sustainable investing has become increasingly impacted by headwinds in some regions, affecting both sentiment and the underlying opportunity set in places. This session will explore sustainable investing's role in a world of geopolitical uncertainty and uncover opportunities in the AI era. We'll examine the broader implications for investors, focusing on how sustainable investing can enhance portfolio resilience and align with long-term growth trends and investor goals.
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Panel: Navigating the evolving fund landscape
The panel will be sharing their views on the evolution of sustainable investing over the past year, including exploring what the SDR labelling regime means for fund selectors, portfolio managers and financial advisers. They will also be discussing key trends shaping the sustainable investment industry, how to meet changing client requirements and how the industry could be more innovative in terms of product and proposition design.
Speakers
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Closing remarks
Speakers