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CONFERENCES
CONFERENCE DETAILS
SPS Investment Strategies for Pension Funds (DB & DC)
May 10, 2022
The Dilly, London
Purpose
Join us for this conference, one of the broadest in the SPS UK calendar, where we'll be discussing a wide range of investment strategies, along with practical considerations and developments for both DB & DC schemes. The panel and Q&A sessions will be led by professional trustees and consultants to ensure the key questions and priorities for pension funds are being covered. As the crisis in Ukraine deepens, this conference will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss these fast moving events, and the implications and challenges for pension schemes and investment markets, with senior investment experts and peers in person.
Programme
09.00
Registration
09.30
Session One: Topical Investment Strategies
Senior Fund Manager
Royal London Asset Management
Tightrope walking in a hurricane – constructing robust portfolios in an increasingly turbulent world
Global equity investors are arguably facing some of the most difficult portfolio construction environments of their careers – and that was before Russia invaded Ukraine. Style risk, discount rate volatility, and signs we may be at a turning point for long-term market trends. James Clarke, a Global Equity Senior Portfolio Manager at RLAM, explores the challenges and shares insights through the lens of their corporate Life Cycle concept.
The role of gold within UK pension schemes
For DC schemes, member outcomes should be the key factor in setting all aspects of strategy. We expect gold to be an effective risk management tool to support good outcomes for those closer to retirement. For DB schemes, gold is one of a handful of assets that can serve multiple and constructive roles in a portfolio. A store of wealth and a hedge against systemic risk and currency depreciation, gold has historically improved portfolios’ risk adjusted returns and provided liquidity to meet liabilities in times of market stress.
10.45
Coffee Break
11.15
Session Two: Opportunities in Fixed Income
Investing in a Quantitative Tightening Environment: Active Fundamental Credit Management with High Income
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As we move from very accommodative central bank policies towards a quantitative tightening environment, it will likely weigh on forward market returns.
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There will be dispersion with winners and losers by sector, geography and asset class, meaning active fundamentally driven management is essential in credit investing going forward.
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We believe accessing high income with fundamentally driven investment discipline is the best way to manage through this period of volatility in financial markets, offsetting the higher volatility and dispersion. In addition, active management will facilitate being nimble and liquid, mitigating risks and capturing more opportunities.
Investment Grade Private Placements Overview
Liability driven investors such as pension funds tend to need to invest in fixed income, so it’s been no surprise to see assets continue to flow into private credit. When most people think of private credit they think direct lending, distressed debt or speciality finance. However, recently an asset once exclusive to insurance portfolios, investment grade private placements, has seen increased interest from pension funds seeking high quality fixed income assets that provide compelling risk return characteristics. This presentation introduces the asset class, covering its properties, benefits, the key players and why it’s becoming a staple asset class for pension portfolios and insurance pension buyout firms alike.
12.25
Lunch
13.50
Session Three: Update from The Regulator and Pension Fund Panel
A Topical Update from the Regulator
This presentation will cover current policy, investment and strategic issues.
Pension Fund Perspectives – Panel Session
Hear views from the coal face from 3 different pension fund perspectives. How are they currently managing DB or DC pension funds and what are the areas of discussion and concern amongst trustees?
15.00
Refreshments
15.30
Close
Cost
The conference is by invitation only for pension funds and other institutional investors and we welcome new attendees from these investors. Therefore if you are not already receiving an invitation please contact us. A limited number of Complimentary invitations are available to genuine pension fund representatives (executives and trustees) and other approved institutional investors. However, to ensure we have room for as many funds as possible, we have to limit free places to 3 attendees per approved organisation thereafter a reduced rate fee is payable per delegate. Furthermore, SPS always reserves the right of admission (free or paid) and our decision is final.
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Venue
The hotel is located on the north side of Piccadilly, close to Piccadilly Circus, only two minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus underground station.
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