Morning Sessions
Devil’s Advocates – Morning
William Bourne, Independent Adviser
Dafydd Edwards, Pension Board Chair, Powys Pension Fund
08:30 – 09:00
Registration & Welcome Refreshments
09:00 – 09:05
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Chair
John Harrison
Adviser
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
09:05 – 09:25
Presentation: Megatrends – evolving demographics and economic growth
As we head into 2025, the idea of US Treasuries as “risk-free” assets is under strain. Elevated volatility – driven by fiscal expansion, a resilient economy, fading foreign demand and the risk of reflation – shows no signs of easing. With rising Treasury issuance and reduced global appetite, yields are likely to remain under pressure. The stability that once defined Treasuries appears increasingly out of reach, forcing investors to navigate a more uncertain and volatile landscape.
Presenter
Arif Husain
Head of Global Fixed Income and CIO
T. Rowe Price
09:25 – 09:45
Presentation: Global equities: Macro outlook
Presenter
Auritro Kundu
Portfolio Manager
AGF Investments
09:45 – 10:25
Panel: Opportunities in private markets
Moderator
John Harrison
Forum Chair
Panellists
Tony Dalwood
Chief Executive
Gresham House
Simon Davy
Head of Real Assets
Local Pensions Partnership
Jeff Dong
Deputy Chief Finance Office and Deputy S151 Officer
City and County of Swansea Pension Fund
Ravi Parekh
Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments
GCM Grosvenor
10:25 – 11:00
Roundtable Discussion: Changes in strategic asset allocation practices
Facilitator
Anthony Fletcher
Independent Adviser
11:00 – 11:20
Coffee Break
11:20 – 12:00
Panel: Intriguing real asset projects
Moderator
John Harrison
Forum Chair
Panellists
John Benham
Head of UK Open Ended Real Estate
BlackRock
Christopher Osborne
Head of Real Estate
London CIV
Speaker to be confirmed: Natixis Investment Managers
12:00 – 12:20
Presentation: Strategies for investing in energy transition infrastructure
Presenter
James Samworth
Partner
Schroders Greencoat
12:20 – 12:40
Presentation: UK affordable housing
Presenter
Kirill Zavodov
Portfolio Manager
PIMCO
12:40 – 13:00
Presentation: Commercial property within a balanced portfolio
Presenter
James Coke
Co-Head of Institutional UK Real Estate
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
13:00 – 13:05
Devil’s Advocate Summaries
13:05 – 14:00
Lunch
Afternoon Sessions
Devil’s Advocates – Afternoon
Philip Hebson, Independent Adviser
Fiona Miller, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
John Nestor, Professional Trustee, Capital Cranfield
14:00 – 14:20
Presentation: Social investment
Presenter
Holly Johnstone
Co-Fund Manager, Real Estate Income
M&G Investments
14:20 – 15:00
Panel: Net Zero
Moderator
John Harrison
Forum Chair
Panellists
Julie Delongchamp
Climate Transition Risk Analyst
Wellington Management
Nick Dixon
Head of Pensions
Avon Pension Fund
Mark Lyon
Deputy CIO
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
Verena Rossolatos
Senior Vice President, Co-Chair Responsible Investment
Capital Dynamics
15:00 – 15:35
Roundtable Discussion: Satisfying the Government’s UK growth agenda
Facilitator
Phil Triggs
Director
Westminster Pension Fund
15:35 – 15:55
Coffee Break
15:55 – 16:15
Presentation: Global equities and the power of active management
Presenter
James Lucas
Head of UK Sales
Swiss Life Asset Managers
16:15 – 16:35
Presentation: Currency matters: reducing portfolio risk
16:35 – 17:15
Panel: Natural capital
Moderator
John Harrison
Forum Chair
Panellists
John Ahern
Senior Associate, Private Markets
bfinance
Matthew Corbett
Partner, Agriculture
Fiera Comox
Andrew Dreaneen
Head of Natural Capital
Savills Investment Management
Alex Younger
Head of Funding & Investment
Norfolk Pension Fund
17:15 – 17:25
Devil’s Advocate Summaries
17:25 – 17:30
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Chair
John Harrison
Adviser
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership
17:30 – 18:30
Drinks Reception
19:00
Dinner at Paradise Green
