Morning Sessions
Devil’s Advocates – Morning
William Bourne, Independent Adviser
Dafydd Edwards, Pension Board Chair, Powys Pension Fund
Abigail Leech, Director of Finance, People & Culture, LPPA
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
Jeff Dong
Deputy Chief Finance Office and Deputy S151 Officer
City and County of Swansea Pension Fund
Dev Jadeja
Deputy CIO
Local Pensions Partnership
Ravi Parekh
Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments
GCM Grosvenor
10:25 – 11:00
Roundtable Discussion: Changes in strategic asset allocation practice
The recent Government consultation suggests that LGPS pools should provide advice on strategic asset allocation to their respective Partner Funds. As the role of consultants is reduced, it is envisaged that independent advisers will take a greater role in providing challenge. The roundtable is an opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of such a change and consider the practical implications for LGPS funds and pools.
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
George Graham
Director
South Yorkshire Pensions Authority
Edward Long
Director
AEW
Christopher Osborne
Head of Real Estate
London CIV
12:00 – 12:20
Presentation: Strategies for investing in energy transition infrastructure
Our speaker will describe the types of investment opportunities that energy transition infrastructure will present as it evolves beyond renewable power generation. This includes direct and indirect uses of renewable power in heating, transport and industry and the importance of green power in meeting new demand drivers, for example data centres / AI infrastructure. They will also explore the risk / return profile of two case studies to illustrate the judgements managers and clients need to make in their investment strategy.
Presenter
James Samworth
Partner
Schroders Greencoat
12:20 – 12:40
Presentation: What’s driving growth in European data centre markets?
The data centre sector is experiencing one of the strongest secular growth stories, driven by increasing internet connectivity, the adoption of cloud services, and the development of AI. In Europe, the increasing customer appetite for low-latency data delivery and digital sovereignty regulations present an opportunity for UK LGPS to invest in the development of data centre capacity within under-supplied European data centre markets. This session will outline the strategic focus within the data centre landscape, developing efficient, less carbon intense build-to-suit data centres for hyperscalers across Europe.
Presenter
Nick Minto
Portfolio Manager
PIMCO
12:40 – 13:00
Presentation: Unloved, undervalued and misunderstood: The productive finance asset no-one is talking about
Despite challenging investment market conditions, looking forward, real estate will be vital to the UK’s net zero transition and remains an important factor of production driving local economic growth – two key areas of focus for the LGPS. This session examines the long-term investment characteristics of UJK real estate, including sector trends, green infrastructure delivery, return expectations, and factors for the LGPS to consider in portfolio implementation.
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
Neil Mason, Senior LGPS Officer, Surrey Pension Fund
14:00 – 14:20
Presentation: Investing for positive UK social outcomes: time for a broader approach?
As an experienced private markets investor, we believe a diversified private markets strategy focused on clear social outcomes has the potential to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns throughout the cycle. By targeting direct investment in real estate, infrastructure, private credit and private equity, we will demonstrate the regeneration and decarbonisation credentials inherent in such a strategy, as well as the benefits versus a single asset class approach.
Presenters
Tom Crawley
Managing Director, Infracapital Greenfield
M&G Investments
Holly Johnstone
Fund Manager, M&G UK Social Investment Fund
M&G Investments
14:20 – 15:00
Panel: Net Zero
Climate change is one of the biggest long term issues facing the world. Addressing this will require a transition towards net zero carbon emissions globally, which will be challenging and costly. The panel will discuss the key challenges, review progress to date and consider the practical implications of the path to net zero for LGPS investors.
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
The new government has a stated desire to improve UK economic growth and is encouraging the LGPS to invest capital to support this ambition. The roundtable will consider current exposures to the UK economy, whether there are sufficient investment opportunities to increase this and the potential barriers that need to be addressed.
Facilitator
Phil Triggs
Director
Westminster Pension Fund
15:35 – 15:55
Coffee Break
15:55 – 16:15
Presentation: Strategies for investing in energy transition infrastructure
Our speaker will describe the types of investment opportunities that energy transition infrastructure will present as it evolves beyond renewable power generation. This includes direct and indirect uses of renewable power in heating, transport and industry and the importance of green power in meeting new demand drivers, for example data centers / AI infrastructure. They will also explore the risk / return profile of two case studies to illustrate the judgements managers and clients need to make in their investment strategy.
Presenter
Hélène Dimitracopoulos
Managing Director Energy Transition Funds
Mirova
16:15 – 16:35
Presentation: Currency matters: reducing portfolio risk
Speaker to be confirmed: Insight Investment
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
DRC 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
