Welcome Ian

Programme

Time Session Location
08:30 - 08:50 Registration Nelson →
08:50 - 09:30 Keynote address → Nelson →
09:30 - 10:10 PineBridge Investments → Orion →
10:10 - 10:50 Pictet Asset Management → Orion →
10:50 - 11:10 Coffee Nelson →
11:10 - 11:50 Eric Sturdza Investments → Victory →
11:50 - 12:30 J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management → Victory →
12:30 - 13:00 Lunch Nelson →
13:00 - 13:40 UBS Asset Management → Collingwood →
13:40 - 14:20 AllianceBernstein → Collingwood →
14:20 - 15:00 Tea Nelson →
15:00 - 15:40 Comgest → Codrington →
15:40 - 16:20 Matthews Asia → Codrington →
16:20 - 17:00 Drinks reception Nelson →

Speakers

Keynote speaker

Family and Friends to the future of Democracy: Social Media in the 21st Century

Having joined California tech platforms before they came of age, Elizabeth will share a first-hand tour de force of the moments social media got serious and the ways in which our world today is still grappling with defining a new social contract amongst government, the private sector and the citizenry.

Elizabeth Linder

Throughout her entire career to date, Elizabeth Linder has never held a position with an existing job description. She currently serves as the Chief Diplomatic Officer at Adarga AI, a British-based artificial intelligence company at the forefront of defence tech innovation for national security, where she leads the long-term Allies First strategy for global coalition-building on geostrategic cooperation at the government, industry, and philanthropic levels.

A California native based in London, Elizabeth has physically worked in 57 countries advising parliamentarians, royal households, and civil society leaders on the intersection of technology and government in both developed and emerging markets. She serves as the co-Chair of the St. James’s Roundtable at Chatham House; the Director of the Kinross House Meetings in Scotland; and the Founder & CEO of Brooch Associates, a modern diplomacy advisory firm led entirely by women. Elizabeth is on the Programme Committee at Ditchley Park, the Board of D Group, and the Board of Medicines for Malaria Venture, the Gates-founded organization tasked with eradicating malaria.

Following her graduation from Princeton, Elizabeth started her career at Google in California, where she focused on the “coming of age” of YouTube immediately following Google’s acquisition of the company just as user-generated content first splashed onto the national scene in the United States. In 2008, Facebook recruited Elizabeth to join its two-person International Communications team, during a time when the company had no policy or communications representatives outside of the United States. She opened the company’s first office in India, ushered in a growing suite of languages – including Latin – to the platform, and scaled up Facebook’s global communications and policy team.

Referred to as Facebook’s first “secretary of state,” Elizabeth founded and built the Politics & Government division in Europe, the Middle East & Africa from the company’s growing offices in London. By the time Elizabeth stepped down from Facebook following her eight-year tenure, she had been at the company longer than 99.2% of employees.

Elizabeth passed the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Levels II and III exam with Distinction and has led seminars on American history and wine for Berry Brothers & Rudd, London’s oldest wine merchant.

PineBridge Investments

The USD High Yield Market: Navigating Down the Credit Risk Spectrum

In this session, John Yovanovic, Head of High Yield Portfolio Management and Portfolio Manager of the PineBridge USD High Yield Bond Fund, will explain how the $1.5Tn USD high yield universe could act as a strategic allocation for investors in an environment of tightening financial conditions and higher inflation. John will also discuss where USD high yield fits in the broader universe of credit investing and why issuer selection is essential to balance opportunities and risk in this challenging area.

John Yovanovic

Head of High Yield Portfolio Management

John Yovanovic leads the team responsible for management of high yield bond portfolios. He became Portfolio Manager of High Yield for the firm in 2005. Prior to 2005, he held positions as a senior research analyst and as head of AIG’s high yield trading desk; while in investment research, he served as the energy/utilities group head. Previously, John was a senior research analyst and trader at Mentor Investment Advisors. John started his career in equity research at VanKampen Funds, where he subsequently moved into high yield research and trading. He received a BBA from the University of Houston and is a CFA charterholder.

Oliver Leach

Head of Intermediary Business, UK

Oliver Leach joined the firm in 2019 and is responsible for business development with UK intermediaries, establishing and enhancing relationships with clients in the region. Oliver joined the firm from Hermes Investment Management, where he was an Associate Director, responsible for business development with multi-managers, private banks, stockbrokers, discretionary managers, and family offices. He holds a BSc in Geography from The University of St. Andrews.

Pictet Asset Management

Towards a Regenerative Economy

The strategy aims to invest in companies helping to regenerate the planet with a strong focus on engaging with those companies on their regenerative journey. It incorporates three key themes: 1. Circular Economy, 2. Biodiversity and 3. Empowerment. It will ascertain whether a company has a net positive impact on biodiversity using the Planetary Boundaries framework. Each company also needs to meet criteria derived from the five principles of regeneration: Narrow (use less), Slow (extend useful life), Loop (use again), Renew (restore and allow renewal) and Empower (localised decision-making and promotion of inclusion).

Gabriel Micheli

Senior Investment Manager

Gabriel Micheli joined Pictet Asset Management in 2006 and is a Senior Investment Manager in the Thematic Equities team. He has been co-managing the Global Environmental Opportunities strategy since its inception in 2014 and will be managing the new Regeneration strategy. Prior to that Gabriel co-managed the Pictet Timber strategy from 2008 to 2018, where he has kept an advisory role, and was co-manager of the Pictet Clean Energy strategy from 2007 to 2010. Gabriel is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. He graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of St. Gallen.

Tim Edmans

Senior Sales Manager

Tim Edmans joined Pictet Asset Management in 2011 and manages relationships with National Advice firms, Networks and Wholesale business. Prior to joining Pictet, Tim worked at a large UK wealth manager in Birmingham having first started his career as part of a final salary pensions team at a benefit consultants in Bristol. Tim holds the Diploma in Financial Planning and the Investment Management Certificate.

Eric Sturdza Investments

A differentiated approach to US Long Short Investing

After four decades of deflation and a dozen years of momentum-driven investing, forces are now underway that are increasing the cost of capital and underscoring the value of thoughtful stock-picking. This new market paradigm calls for a different approach to equity investing. Portfolio Manager Chris Crawford, drawing on his 25 years of investing in US equities, will outline an uncommon - yet time-tested - approach to fundamental equity long/short investing, one that emphasises incentive-alignment and margin-of-safety in the long book, while seeking to identify heightened risks of failure in both young and mature companies in the short book. Chris will also make the case for selectively employing options to create short exposure, explaining how, when married to fundamental analysis, options investing can both mitigate the many perils of traditional shorting while also amplifying short returns in success.

Christopher L. Crawford

Managing Partner & Portfolio Manager, Crawford Fund Management

Prior to Crawford Fund Management, Chris Crawford was Portfolio Manager at Stark Investments, managing a $1.5 bn long/short equity portfolio within a $12 billion multi-strategy global hedge fund. He has also held senior positions at Putnam Investments, ABACUS Investments, and Wellington Management Company. Chris has an MBA, a BA in Physics, BS in Economics, BAS in Systems Engineering and an MA in International Relations.

Scott L. Utzinger

Chief Operating Officer & Partner, Crawford Fund Management

Prior to Crawford Fund Management, Scott Utzinger was an equity analyst at Fidelity Investments, responsible for the media and retail sectors. Scott has previously held senior positions at Wellington Management Company, Booz Allen & Hamilton and the New England Consulting Group. Scott has an MBA from the Stanford University, a BS in Economics and a BAS in Systems Engineering.

Alisdair Bell

Sales Director

After 20 years’ industry experience, Alisdair Bell joined Eric Sturdza Investments in 2020 where he is responsible for the wholesales and institutional fund distribution in the UK and International markets. Prior to Eric Sturdza Investments, Alisdair spent 8 years at Alken Asset Management as Sales Director covering the UK, Middle East and APAC markets.

J. Safra Sarasin

Is it time for Insurance Debt?

Financial markets are experiencing increased headwind with the worsened geopolitical environment and prospects for longer-lasting inflation. Nevertheless, insurers’ creditworthiness is resilient and it is underpinned by stable credit ratings and increasing solvency ratios. We believe that the resilience of the sector in periods of protracted stress makes insurance debt a reliable component of every fixed income allocation. The current mispricing of insurance debt offers investors an excellent entry opportunity in the asset class.

Dinesh Pawar

Head of Insurance Bonds, Twelve Capital

Dinesh Pawar joined Twelve Capital in July 2014. Previously, Dinesh was a Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Alpha Trading at Aviva Investors from 2009 to 2013 managing over £2bn high alpha and benchmark funds. In 2008, Dinesh served as the Market Risk Manager for Deutsche Bank Financial Markets. Dinesh holds a BA (Hons) in Business Finance and a MSc in Banking and International Finance.

David Miles

Head of Institutional and Wholesale UK

David Miles is Head of Institutional and Wholesale UK, having joined J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management at the beginning of 2022. With over 20 years’ experience, most recently at Eaton Vance and prior to that with Legal & General Investment Management. He has covered UK, Ireland and Swiss markets and holds both the IMC and CFA ESG qualifications.

John Fiddes

Director of UK Wholesale

John Fiddes is Director of UK Wholesale at J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management. Prior to joining JSS in 2022 John spent three years at NN Investment Partners where he promoted their sustainable investment offering across the UK. John has a background in third party marketing for hedge funds and alternative strategies and holds the IMC CFA UK.

UBS Asset Management

Year of the tiger – time to pounce on China Bonds?

News on China’s property sector and COVID lockdowns has been hitting the news regularly and impacting overall Asia bond risk sentiment. What should investors in this growing economy look at and is now a good time to invest? China high yield bonds offer lower duration and higher yield than its more rate-sensitive developed market high yield peers.

Join Hayden Briscoe for a session on the UBS China High Yield Bond Fund. Hayden will describe how his active approach coupled with his macroeconomic view enables him and his team to manage this relatively niche asset class which is gaining global attention.

Hayden Briscoe

Head of Fixed Income, Global Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific

Hayden Briscoe has responsibility for Global Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific fixed income activities at UBS Asset Management. He is also a member of the Global Fixed Income Management Team and Global Fixed Income Investment Forum. Prior to joining UBS Asset Management, Hayden was a Senior Vice President and Director of Asia Pacific Fixed Income at AllianceBernstein. Hayden previously worked at Schroders Investment Management, Colonial First State and Bankers Trust, where he fulfilled fund management, portfolio management, and trader roles. Hayden has 32 years of investment industry experience, and he holds a BA from the University of New South Wales.

Graeme Brown

Head of UK Retail

Graeme Brown is Head of UK Retail at UBS Asset Management and has worked within the Asset Management Industry for 21 years focusing on distribution within the intermediary market. His focus is on supporting the IFA/Wealth Management businesses across the UK. He joined UBS Asset Management in 2019 following on from successful distribution roles at 7IM, Old Mutual Global Investors and F&C.

James Southern

Head of Financial Institutions

James Southern joined UBS Asset Management in June 2018 as Head of Financial Institutions and is responsible for wholesale client relationships in London and the Channel Islands. In this role he works closely with multi asset, private wealth and private bank clients. His previous roles include Sales Director at Mirabaud Asset Management and Sanlam FOUR Investments; Regional Sales Manager at Allianz Global Investors and Client Service Executive at Legg Mason. James’s career in the industry started in 1999 at Fidelity Investments.

AllianceBernstein

Can equity investors join the fight against climate change?

How can investors gain confidence that an equity portfolio is invested in companies helping to address climate risk? Investors often seek simple metrics such as carbon footprint to understand climate investing, but a carbon footprint doesn’t tell the whole story. AB’s Sustainable Climate Solutions Portfolio focuses on a company’s carbon handprint, which measures the positive impact, or carbon avoided, by using its products. By combining an assessment of carbon handprints with research of business fundamentals, AB believes investors can create a portfolio of companies with superior long-term return potential that are providing solutions to the world’s biggest climate challenges.

David Wheeler

Portfolio Manager

David Wheeler is a Portfolio Manager for the Sustainable Climate Solutions Portfolio and Senior Research Analyst for the Sustainable Thematic Equities Portfolios, covering the energy, industrials and materials sectors for the portfolio team. Prior to joining the firm in 2008, he was a managing director, analyst and portfolio manager at Neuberger Berman. Before that, Wheeler worked at J.P. Morgan as a research analyst for the energy sector. He holds a BA in economics from Middlebury College, and is a CFA charterholder.

Lee Matthews

Head of UK and Ireland

Lee Matthews is responsible for sales strategy and distribution across all channels of the wholesale market. Prior to joining AllianceBernstein in 2018, he served as senior business development manager at Aberdeen Standard Investments. During his 10-year tenure there, his primary responsibilities included growing and retaining assets across the UK market. Lee has also held roles at J.P. Morgan and Liontrust.

Hayley Dighton

Associate Officer – UK Retail

Hayley Dighton’s primary responsibilities include client servicing and partnering with advisors to provide service and support functions such as portfolio analysis, account creation and maintenance, and client/prospect meeting preparation. Hayley joined AB in 2018. She holds a BS in both Finance and Marketing from Ohio University and has a master’s degree in International Business from Hult International Business School.

Comgest

Discover the Value of Quality-Growth

Justin Streeter will describe the Comgest team’s approach to selecting resilient US growth franchises and why pricing power has never been more important than in these uncertain times. As Co-Lead Portfolio Manager, Justin will provide an overview of the Comgest Growth America fund and discuss how the team anticipates their concentrated, quality-growth portfolio will fare in the years ahead.

Justin Streeter

Portfolio Manager

Justin Streeter joined Comgest in 2015 and is an Analyst and a Portfolio Manager specialising in US equities. Justin contributes to idea generation, researching US companies within a broad range of sectors and compiling in-depth research reports. Following internships at Macquarie Capital Partners (London) and Société Générale (Paris), he joined J.P. Morgan (London) in 2012 as an M&A Healthcare Analyst. Justin moved to San Francisco with J.P. Morgan in 2013 where he held a similar role. Justin graduated from EM Lyon Business School (France) with a master’s degree in Management and Corporate Finance. He is also a CFA® charterholder.

Ian Lewis

Head of Investor Relations

Ian Lewis has over 30 years’ experience in the industry and joins Comgest from Nikko Asset Management where he was the Global Head of Investment Proposition and Consultant Relations. Previously he worked for a number of UK based asset managers in a variety of senior management distribution roles.

Jane Russell

Investor Relations & Global Consultant Relations

Jane Russell joined Comgest in 2013 as Investor and Consultant Relations Manager and is responsible for the firm’s relationships in the UK as well as Global Consultant Relations. She has over twenty years of international experience in asset management and began her career in finance and accounting, before moving to roles in business development and client relationship management.

Matthews Asia

Invest in Asia’s Sustainable Growth Opportunities

Asia is at the epicentre of many of the world’s most important sustainability challenges. From environmental issues to social inclusion and economic development, the region’s governments and companies have much to contend with. For investors seeking sustainable solutions these challenges also provide a unique investment opportunity, with Asia now home to companies that are addressing these issues by providing both innovative and scalable solutions. Vivek Tanneeru introduces Matthews Asia’s first SFDR Article 9 Fund and explains how he seeks to construct an all-cap Asia growth portfolio of companies that contribute to a sustainable future.

Vivek Tanneeru

Portfolio Manager

Vivek Tanneeru is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews Asia and manages the firm’s Asia ESG, Emerging Markets Small Companies and Asia Small Companies Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews Asia in 2011, Vivek was an Investment Manager on the Global Emerging Markets team of Pictet Asset Management in London. While at Pictet, he also worked on the firm’s Global Equities team, managing Japan and Asia ex-Japan markets. Vivek received an MBA from the London Business School in 2006 and a Master’s in Finance from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science in India. He is fluent in Hindi and Telugu.

Neil Steedman

Head of Business Development – EMEA and Asia

Neil Steedman is Head of EMEA and Asia Business Development at Matthews Asia. Based in London, he is responsible for leading the firm’s distribution and client service efforts in the EMEA and Asian markets. Prior to joining Matthews Asia in 2014, he was with Aberdeen Asset Management for 10 years, most recently as Head of UK Discretionary Sales.

Andrew Paterson

Vice President, Business Development - EMEA

Andrew Paterson is Vice President, Business Development at Matthews Asia and responsible for broadening the firm’s client base in UK and EMEA. Prior to joining Matthews Asia in 2015, Andrew worked at Aberdeen Asset Management where he was a Business Development Manager, focused on building and managing client relationships with UK and global financial institutions and select institutional investors.

Downloads

Information

The Next Generation Forum was devised and organised by Infusion Events. We will be available throughout the event and we will be happy to help with any queries you may have. Please come and find us at the registration desk or phone us on one of the following mobile numbers:

Sally Doyle  07881 957350

Sarah Ford  07702 331487

Wi-Fi

Should you wish to catch up with the office during your breaks, we have arranged a complimentary and secure Wi-Fi connection:

SSID: NGF23*
Password: 23FGN2023

Drinks Reception

A reminder that the Drinks Reception will commence at 17.30 in Domino, which is also on this floor of the hotel. Please refer to the floorplan section or we will be happy to direct you. Dress code remains Business Attire.

Transport

We recommend the following reliable car service:

Addison Lee