Name: AI impact on Financial Services
Start: 2023-06-06T12:00:00Z
End: 2023-06-06T12:00:37.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 4.5

Annabel is joined by:

Gabriel Sacks, Investment Director, abrdn and co-manager of Asia Focus plc    

Robin West, Fund Manager, Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc. 

Dan Nickols, Co-Manager, Jupiter Rights & Issues Investment Trust plc

Episode 4: Why now for Investment Trusts? - smaller companies

In episode 3 of Octo's 'Why now for Investment Trust programme?' Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director of AIC is joined by 3 global investment trust managers, 2 from the global equity income sector and one from the global sector. Together they discuss what's going on in the world? How they are positioning portfolios in this period of high inflation and rate rises following the war in Ukraine and the impact of Covid?

This debate covers track records of each trust, approach, dividend payments, discounts, gearing, sustainability and the role of bonds.  

Annabel is joined by: 

Julian Bishop, Co-Lead Portfolio Manager, Brunner Investment Trust, Allianz Global Investors 
Martin Connaghan, Investment Director, Murray International Trust, abrdn 
Stephen Anness, Invesco Select Trust plc, Global Equity Income Share Portfolio, Invesco 

If you haven't tuned in to this programme before you can find previous episodes on Octo

Episode 3: Why now for Investment Trusts?

Having spent the first half of the year trying to avoid those articles obsessed with half a dozen stocks in the US, we are going to look at Income investing. Not every play over the last 12 months has been about interest rates or bond yields and we've seen assets that have been doing their best wallflower impressions, jump onto the dance floor and manically throw themselves around to attract your attention. 

Andy Brown is joined by Mark Benbow, Aegon Asset Management, David Ennett, Artemis Fund Managers, Dorian Carrell, Schroders and Edward Harrold, Capital Group in this latest Income Debate to discuss the current environment and the challenges they are seeing.  They will name what they are finding attractive for income generation and the meaningful changes they have made to portfolios.

Join them for this GR8 debate to find where they see challenges and opportunity.

Octo Income Debate: Investing for Income part 1

Andy Brown discusses with Olivia Geldenhuys, Investment Specialist, Schroder Investment Solutions, progressive thinking with investment solutions. They will discuss the impact from last year, portfolio shapes, bonds and more.

Progressive Investing with Schroders

As 2023 continues to challenge with high inflation, high interest rates, low economic growth and some tough markets where can Investors look for sustainable income?  

In the second episode of ‘Why now for Investment Trusts?’ Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director at AIC is joined by Simon Gergel, portfolio manager of Merchant's Trust at Allianz Global Investors and Rebecca Maclean who manages the Dunedin Income Growth Investment Trust at abrdn. Representing two of the UK’s oldest Investment Trusts this debate they discuss how they stand the test of time and why now more than ever the sector continues to be relevant.  

Together they discuss the benefits of the Investment Trust structure.  Resilience and sustainability and where they are seeing opportunities, innovation and attractive returns. 

Join them to hear more about the UK market and specifically the UK Equity income investment Trust sector as well as insight into how they manage the companies and changes being made to portfolios.

Episode 2: Why now for investment trusts?

Hot Topic: Why now for investment trusts?

This panel discussion with Octo Members host Lee Robertson discusses the theme Nextgen or Lostgen and the need to develop new client acquisition strategies. The discussion is focused around the enlightening new report from AKG in association with Schroders and Fluido. The paper itself has been designed to create debate on Nextgen and new customer targeting and acquisition in Financial Services. Lee is joined by a panel of experts Gillian Hepburn, Head of UK Intermediary Solutions, Schroders, Matt Ward, Communications Director, AKG Financial Analytics Ltd and Duncan Muir, Global Industry Lead - Financial Services and Sales Manager UKI, Fluido.

Together, the panel explored: 

An overview of the report production, the research, the respondents and a discussion around what is meant by Nextgen  

Understanding the consumer, their concerns, sentiments, priorities, interest in investing and appetite for responsible investing. How they get their information / buy and engage.  

Adviser behaviour and sentiment, the importance of Nextgen and factors driving practice development, business models, profiling, and client acquisition strategies 

Next steps, what this may mean for planning businesses. The challenges and the technology that will enable the transition. What businesses need to do to understand and reach this audience, help and support providers can give for adviser transition.

NextGen or LostGen – The need to develop new client acquisition strategies

This lively debate saw our Hot Topic host John Lappin, Octo Members Contributor, joined by expert panellists Ben Popatlal, Multi-Asset Strategist, Schroders and Olivia Trevor, Investment Manager Oversight Analysts, Pru, and  together they will discuss the subject of Sustainable Multi Asset.  


Together, the panel explored: 

How will you measure responsible investing success in 2022?  

In what way do you expect the changing regulatory environment to impact responsible investing?  

Will the transition to sustainable business models reduce capital market access to "bad" companies?  

How far down the company analysis chain can you go before you decide what looks good and what doesn't?  

Beyond product offering, how can firms ensure they 'walking the walk' when it comes to CSR?  

Do intermediaries have the right tools to build responsible portfolios? What improvements are needed? 

 
The panel also answered your questions, so make sure you join us for what promises to be a lively debate.

RE:wind HOT TOPIC - Sustainable Multi Asset

Investors are suffering a double whammy of higher inflation and volatile returns which have left them concerned about their income for now and the future. What should they expect over the next 3 years? Should they wait it out or should they be thinking of adopting a different approach?

Hear from a Global equity income manager about the opportunities (and risks) from a more geographically spread portfolio. Different economies at different parts of their cycles could help investors reduce or remove some of the market volatility they suffer
Hear from a Fixed Income manager who can offer some insight into the issues they face in bond markets. Have shorter term inflation expectations played havoc with the day job or is this more of an undulating road before inflation is back under control?
As more asset types become attractive to investors, what are the thoughts of a multi asset income manager who can search amongst alternative assets to solutions to the problems of an investor today.

RE:wind Hot Topic: Income from Multi Asset

REGISTER now for this much requested RE:wind of our popular Octo HOT TOPIC series.  

This lively debate will see our Hot Topic host the host Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director, AIC along with the panel of experts. Simon Gergel, Portfolio Manager at The Merchants Trust PLC and CIO UK Equities at Allianz Global Investors. Along with Rhys Davies, Fund Manager and Senior Credit Analyst (Invesco Bond Income Plus Limited), Invesco. 

 

Together, the panel explored: 

  

The manager's view of the current environment, what are the challenges as they see them.  

The inflation expectation seems to be hovering around 10%+ for the next year, did you expect it to get so high?  

View on defaults and what they are seeing   

Cost of borrowing and what it is like   

What can the governments/central banks do about it?  

Have you made any meaningful shifts in your portfolios to mitigate these increasing risks?  

The cost of living crisis is writ large across every media outlet, are investors selling to help with this?   

the sequence of return risk is looming large for recent investors who have retired. What should they be doing to mitigate this risk?  

Bonds have always been helpful to dodge the sequence of return risk but bond funds are not so good. can you mitigate that risk?  

Where are the opportunities in FI? What hedges can you use against inflation?  

What about private assets? is the inflation risk of "normal" assets high enough to negate the illiquidity risk of private assets?  

Are people spending less on some items to cover the increased energy costs? What impact could that have on which sectors of the stock market?  

 

REGISTER now.

RE:wind HOT TOPIC: Investment Trusts

In the latest in the Tune-Up series with HSBC Life we explore the Trust Registration Service and the attaching requirements for advisers, Trustees and Beneficiaries. A detailed presentation is followed by a comprehensive question and answer session based upon submitted questions from advisers.

RE:wind Tune-Up: Trust Registration Service

This lively debate will see our Hot Topic host the host John Lappin, Octo Members Contributor along with the panel of experts. Craig Faulkiner, Head of Distribution at Advise Wise, Kelly Melville-Kelly, Head of risk, policy and compliance at the Equity Release Council and Pure Retirement's Daniel Edmondson. 
Together, the panel will explore:
 
• What is your view on the current equity release market, and what do you see as its prospects for growth? 
• Can you set that in the context of the current economic uncertainty, several areas that applies of course, one simply being higher costs? 
• What do you think is the consumer and perhaps intermediary perception of the market. What has changed to help build confidence? 
• Can you talk me through the sort of client scenarios your products suit? 
• How has technology improved the client journey and customer service? 
• What is your approach to sustainability and efficiency? 
• How do you see things developing in future? 
• If there is adviser looking to start providing advice on equity release, what is the route? 
• And how should other advisers' signpost to a qualified adviser. How does that work? 

REGISTER now to join the debate.  This session will be available on demand if you have previously registered.

RE:wind Hot Topic: Equity Release

This lively debate will see our host John Lappin, Octo Members Contributor along with the panel of experts. Craig Faulkiner, Head of Distribution at Advise Wise, Kelly Melville-Kelly, Head of risk, policy and compliance at the Equity Release Council and Pure Retirement's Daniel Edmondson discuss Equity Release. 
Together, the panel will explore:
 
• The current equity release market, and the prospects for growth? 
• The discussion will put into context the current economic uncertainty.
• Changing perceptions from consumers and intermediaries and what work has been done by the sector to build confidence and professionalism? 
• Client scenarios that the product suits and due diligence 
This is a thorough exploration of the sector, product and suitability

The adviser guide to equity release
This free resource is aimed at anyone considering a career as an equity release adviser or supporting someone who has qualified but not yet taken the plunge and started writing business. https://www.equityreleasecouncil.com/adviser-guide/ 

The competency framework
This free resource shows what advisers are expected to know from being a new entrant to reaching competent adviser status. https://www.equityreleasecouncil.com/competency-framework/

Fairly self explanatory https://www.equityreleasecouncil.com/join-us/
Member directory https://www.equityreleasecouncil.com/find-a-member/
Consumer pages and consumer brochure https://www.equityreleasecouncil.com/what-is-equity-release/

REGISTER now to join the debate.  This session will be available on demand if you have previously registered.

Hot Topic: Equity Release

REGISTER now for the latest in our popular Octo HOT TOPIC series.  

Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director, AIC discusses Investment Trusts with two leading Investment Trust managers, Rhys Davies, Fund Manager and Senior Credit Analyst (Invesco Bond Income Plus Limited), Invesco  and Simon Gergel, Portfolio Manager, The Merchants Trust PLC and CIO UK Equities at Allianz Global Investors . 

It's been a tough year for markets, and the recent economic and political turbulence has taken its toll here in the UK.  How has the structure of the Investment Trust, where you can put money away in good years to pay dividends in in tough years. worked to protect to protect portfolios and income. What are the key challenges ahead? Are we at peak pessimism or are they feeling positive?

This broad and positive discussion navigates the twists and turns of recent markets and provides numerous examples of good quality companies out there and the compelling opportunities they are seeing.

REGISTER now to join the debate.

HOT TOPIC: Why now for Investment Trusts

Equity release has demonstrated its resilience even as the country has
faced multiple crisis while building in more consumer protections says
Jane Mullan, national field sales manager at Pure Retirement in this
interview with Octo Members.

The interview gives an analysis of the equity release market before a
wider debate involving the Equity Release Council and Equity Release Associates TO BE PUBLISHED MID NOVEMBER

Mullan says that currently there is a little less borrowing as
interest rates have increased, but she believes the long-term
prospects remain bright as demand increases and the now regulated
market continues to make improvements to its products and services.

The need is certainly there. Equity release has always been a solution
for the asset rich and cash poor and that is, if anything, becoming a
more significant driver given the current situation regarding the cost
of living.

She also believes there has been a shift in perception among both
advisers and intermediaries regarding the market with regulation and
lots of important work done by the governing body Equity Release
Council.

In terms of client needs, she says equity release can for example help
when an interest only mortgage coming to an end, it could be a matter
of helping children with house deposit, which can help with IHT
mitigation as while many people reaching retirement want to do a lot
more than just sitting back and relaxing.

Looking at the market more generally, she adds: “It is a far cry from
being a last resort and a fantastic solution, not just for individuals
but also for families as well. There is a fundamental shift in
perceptions, which mean that later life products and advice and client
education need to keep evolving as well, so we can continue to be part
 of the holistic advice conversation.”

Gr8 Debate: Equity release - Resilience in crisis

In this Myth Busting session with Prudential's Les Cameron, Head of Technical, Colin Simmons, Business Development Manager, Prudential and Mark Riggall, Head of Client Portfolio Management, M&G Treasury & Investment Office as they demystify retirement income.

This session will cover the following learning objectives:

Describe the key planning considerations when developing a client’s retirement income strategy.
Explain the ways in which you can determine if a client’s income is sustainable.
Describe the benefits of utilising ‘smoothed’ multi asset returns in retirement for a client.
Explain how to provide reliable long-term income for clients wanting to retire.

Tune Up - Myth Busting: Retirement Income.

Tune-Up: Trust Registration Service

Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveni, kindly shares his views on AI, how it has gained very quickly in popularity, where he sees with his solid background in fintech and data the main areas and roles which could be impacted.

Crossing people, reporting, analytics and client engagement this really is a fascinating session from the leader of a team heavily involved in this dynamic, rapidly evolving area of technology.

Aveni fuse state-of-the-art machine learning with human intelligence enabling financial services companies to put data-driven technologies at the heart of their customer strategy and achieve the risk oversight they need under stricter regulatory supervision.  

It's very evident that this is a subject that Lee is very interested in, so there is a lot of ground covered in this session.

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