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

Speaker to be confirmed: 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