8th Fund Summit
9-11 November 2021
Online
Agenda
Day One: Tuesday November 9 – timings AEDT
09.30-10.15 // Into the kaleidoscope: industry consolidation and growing ‘retailisation’
Fund mergers abound. Those with scale seek to leverage it, some increasingly managing money internally. Fund managers have been merging, looking to expand their retail presence; even developing their own superannuation products. Both segments to varying degrees look to expand their services to advisors and end-clients.
To what extent is Australia moving in the same direction as the US and UK for example – where smaller groups of institutions manage large pools of assets; complimented by a fragmented and competitive retail sector? This session will discuss the trends outlined: the blurring line between fiduciaries and their asset managers, the growing advice/direct channel, changing investor appetites and how the industry is evolving.
11.00-11.45 // Product strategy: where are the next opportunities?
This session will examine emerging product opportunities across different customer cohorts:
- Retirement: developing suitable, potentially customised and risk-managed products for older customers
- ‘ESG’ products
- The outlook for listed vehicles such as active ETFs
- Regulatory considerations: fees, costs and transparency
12.30-13.15 // Next-gen client experience: optimising distribution opportunities
How can firms leverage digital platforms to improve client experience and increase distribution opportunities? This session will discuss different ways in which firms can leverage technology and automation to improve customer insights, accessibility, onboarding and servicing; provide limited advice or support advisers; strengthen client relationships and better inform business decision-making.
Day Two: Wednesday November 10
09.30-10.15 // Oversight of unlisted asset valuations: what does ‘good’ look like?
Unlisted assets have been taking up a growing share of asset allocations, and while a good diversifier and source of returns, overall portfolio risk is a consideration and significant unexpected re-valuations can come as a surprise to managers and investors alike.
This session will discuss investment governance considerations when evaluating unlisted investments – risk versus reward; oversight of valuations, how to mitigate and manage the need for significant revaluation should it occur.
11.00-11.45 // ESG analytics and governance: ensuring strategies remain ‘true to label’
The term ‘greenwashing’ is increasingly in use and the outcome of the current U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into a certain large European asset manager will be interesting; potentially bearing ramifications for the global asset management industry. At the same time, transparency and access to quality data on underlying ESG factors remains a challenge.
How can asset managers ensure they are sticking to and accurately representing their ESG policies and credentials? On the flip side, how can ‘asset owners’ ensure their requirements are being met on an ongoing basis? This session will consider ESG analytics, best practice investment governance and ongoing monitoring.
Rachel Halpern (Chair)
Head of Sustainability,
JANA Investment Advisers
12.30-13.15 // Trimming the sails: navigating increased performance and fee pressures
In light of increasing pressure on investment managers to lift performance, increase transparency and reduce fees, this session will look at considerations from the perspective of implementation efficiencies and investment operations:
- To what extent are organisations simplifying investment strategies and what are the prospects for re-balancing and overlays?
- How can the implementation/operations function more efficiently implement investment decisions, especially in changing market conditions?
- Effectively managing cash balances
- Increasing automation – reducing reliance on manual processes and excel spreadsheets
Day Three: Thursday November 11
9.30-10.15 // Investment technology: increasing collaboration and opportunities for innovation
The investment technology industry is changing rapidly. This session will discuss the future of investment technology and key drivers for change and success. It will also evaluate the progress of ‘invest-tech’ solutions, opportunities for greater adoption, increasing collaboration among existing players and the potential for innovation and considerations when thinking about technology architecture.
11.01-11.45 // Positioning for growth: organisational considerations
What should an organisation consider when planning to scale significantly via acquisition or grow organically? This session will discuss how organisations can shape their operational set up to facilitate scale into the future.
It will examine how to ensure your operating model can keep up with and facilitate expansion through acquisitions, increasingly globalised portfolios and operations. It will also look at the service provider landscape, how to embed agility and vendor governance arrangements to ensure that you can accommodate or adapt to changes in your service provider ecosystem.
Mitchell Slocombe
Solutions Architect APAC,
IHS Markit (Singapore)