09:00 – 09:05
Chair’s opening remarks
Dawn Turner
Forum Chair and Independent Adviser
09:05 – 09:25
Presentation
2020 Vision – the case for bonds in the decade ahead
The next decade won’t mirror the last decade, but the role of bonds is far from played out. In this presentation, Arif Husain will assess the long-term prospects for bonds from across this highly diverse asset class. By understanding the characteristics of their component parts it is still possible to deliver on their core mandate. However, increased complexity brings an increased need for expertise.
Speaker
Arif Husain
Head of International Fixed Income
T. Rowe Price
09:25 – 09:45
Presentation
Global equities and the risk of global recession
Speaker
Daniel Nicholas
Client Portfolio Manager
Harris Associates
09:45 – 10:25
Panel
Managing risk with real assets and a balanced portfolio
Moderator
Dawn Turner, Forum Chair and Independent Adviser
Panellists
Andreas Koettering, Partner, CBRE
Jonathan Ord, Investment Director, Local Pensions Partnership
John Raisin, Independent Adviser
Dinesh Ramasamy, Principal, Pantheon
10:25 – 11:10
Roundtable Discussions
Create your ideal future asset allocation
Introduced by Broadridge Financial Solutions
Speakers
Hal La Thangue
Broadridge Financial Solutions
Magnus Spence
Managing Director – Global Distribution Solutions
Broadridge Financial Solutions
11:10 – 11:30
Coffee
11:30 – 11:50
Presentation
Renewable energy options
As global power generation shifts from two-thirds fossil fuels to two-thirds renewables over the next few decades, renewables are increasingly becoming a standalone allocation for UK investors. Renewable power assets can generate attractive risk adjusted returns with low correlation to the economic cycle, and that align with investors’ long-term sustainability goals. But not all renewable power investments are made equal, and increased allocations to the asset class are making investors complacent about risks.
Peter Raftery will bring to life through case studies how resource risk, power price risk, regulatory risk and other factors, shape the risk return dynamic in renewable power investing globally.
Speaker
Peter Raftery
Managing Director, Global Head of the Technical and Commercial Asset Management
BlackRock
11:50 – 12:10
Presentation
Protecting the security of infrastructure income
Providing financing for infrastructure including wind farms, solar projects, trains and super sewers, produces a series of cashflows with a high degree of certainty. The structuring of these transactions provides increased protection in downturns compared to traditional debt investments as well as diversification and higher risk-adjusted returns. As Fund Managers, we focus on protecting the security of this income, which is particularly pertinent for pension schemes.
Speaker
Will Devenney
Head of Infrastructure Debt, Europe
Legal & General Investment Management
12:10 – 12:30
Interview
A new age of infrastructure technology
Technology will create opportunities across all core infrastructure asset types including utility, transportation, social infrastructure, although the timing and frequency is very difficult to predict due to factors such as regulation and government funding. This creates a challenge for traditional closed-ended, fixed term investment structures. Future investment in the sector requires a dynamic, flexible approach to capture returns from emerging technologies and future trends.
Speaker
Heiko Schupp
Global Head of Infrastructure Investments
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
12:30 – 12:50
Interview
Social licence in community assets
Pension capital is currently funding critical community infrastructure such as toll roads, ports, airports and railway stations. These infrastructure assets are not only owned by millions of pension fund members but utilised by millions of members of the public every day. Institutional investors in these assets need to remain mindful of their fiduciary responsibility and also of the community trust that is vested in them as a consequence of owning and managing critical community resources.
Speaker
Duncan Symonds
Director – Asset Management
IFM Investors
12:50 – 13:50
Lunch
13:50 – 14:10
Interview
Multi asset credit – where is the value?
Speaker
Anna Dragesic
Head of Global Credit Product Strategies
PIMCO
14:10 – 14:45
Roundtable Discussions
The evolving role of independent investment consultants across the different pooling models focusing on asset allocation decisions and the analysis of transparent reporting
Introduced by Jeff Houston, Head of Pensions, LGA
14:45 – 15:15
Panel
Opportunities and threats in emerging markets – going beyond the US-China trade war
Sponsored by AGF and Mercer
Moderator
Dawn Turner, Forum Chair and Independent Adviser
Panellists
Jill Davys, Assistant Director of Investments & Finance, West Midlands Pension Fund
Regina Chi, Vice-President & Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets, AGF
Rupert Watson, Head of Asset Allocation, Mercer
15:15 – 15:35
Coffee
15:35 – 15:55
Presentation
Can build to rent deliver?
We will explore how residential property can become an income generating asset class when many LGPS are now cashflow negative. The long-term, inflation-linked cashflows can exhibit a strong correlation to the future liabilities of the LGPS while also integrating many ESG benefits into the investment thesis. We will also explore how this can contribute towards the creation of resilient buildings and communities.
Speaker
Peter Lowe
Director and Fund Manager, BMO Real Estate Partners
BMO Global Asset Management
15:55 – 16:25
Panel
Is private credit investing still worth the risk?
Sponsored by bfinance and MV Credit
Moderator
Dawn Turner, Forum Chair and Independent Adviser
Panellists
Trevor Castledine, Senior Director, bfinance
Gillian De Candole, Investment Principal Private Markets, Brunel Pension Partnership
Nicole Downer, Managing Partner, MV Credit
16:25 – 16:45
Presentation
ESG Investing – the impact on portfolio asset allocation and investment returns
Speaker
Jennifer Wu
Global Head of Sustainable Investing
J.P. Morgan Asset Management
16:45 – 17:25
Panel
Adapting portfolios to climate change
Sponsored by Schroders and Fidelity
Moderator
Dawn Turner, Forum Chair and Independent Adviser
Panellists
Graham Cook, Strategic Investment Manager, Environment Agency Pension Fund
Mark Mansley, Chief Investment Officer, Brunel Pension Partnership
Michael Marshall, Director, Responsible Investment & Engagement, LGPS Central
Alex Monk, Global Renewables Analyst, Schroders
Saurabh Sharma, Investment Director, Equities, Fidelity
17:25 – 17:30
Chair’s closing remarks
Dawn Turner, Forum Chair and Independent Adviser
17:30
Drinks Reception in the 1901 Ballroom
19:00
Seated Dinner and After Dinner Speaker: John Bercow
