Name: mallowstreet Digital Roundtable: Getting the Governance Right in the Endgame
Start: 2022-07-13 08:45:00Z
End: 2022-07-13 10:15:00Z

Sponsored by

Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Does High Inflation Derail the Infrastructure Sustainability Agenda?

With inflation running at its highest levels for a generation can pension schemes still find investments that offer long dated, inflation linked, attractive returns? Does sustainability have to take a backseat to these objectives in a world where inflation may run well beyond Central Banks mandates for a prolonged period? In this session we will discuss…

1. Infrastructure can still offer pension schemes attractive returns with inflation protection; however inflation impacts each individual infrastructure asset differently, and not all infra assets have inflation protection. As such investors need to be selective with their portfolio construction.

2. We would argue that the primary reason for investing in infra is due to its defensive nature. It is an ‘all-weather’ asset class that can provide steady returns in all market conditions with positive inflation correlation. However, different assets are impacted by different macro factors, and all of these should be considered when building a portfolio.

3. Environmental and Social sustainability factors are going to be impacted by rapidly rising inflation. In the current inflationary environment, rapidly increasing energy prices in particular have the potential to derail the ‘just transition’ to a sustainable economy. To what extent are asset owners, asset managers or the government and regulators prepared, or able, to mitigate the social and environmental costs?

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Columbia Threadneedle manages investments for institutions, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and endowments & foundations. Together, they entrust us with £531 billion.

Global reach

Our reach is expansive, with a global team of over 2,500 people working together. Our expertise is diverse with more than 650 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients’ specific requirements.

Research intensity

Our proprietary analysts are dedicated to finding original, actionable insights that are shared and debated with our portfolio managers. Responsible Investment (RI) principles are an important factor and we apply proprietary tools to provide a robust RI framework and better analysis. This knowledge is harnessed to make better investment decisions that benefit our clients.

Forward-looking

Our independent Investment Consultancy & Oversight team ensures the integrity of an investment strategy. The team works in partnership with our portfolio managers to foster continuous improvement and ensure strategies are managed consistent with client expectations and their desired outcome.

To all our clients, we have one message: your success is our priority.

mallowstreet Digital Roundtable: Getting the Governance Right in the Endgame

As pension schemes move towards their endgames, their investment strategy is necessarily fluid and evolving. At the same time, trustees are grappling with more and more non-investment related matters. Therefore, matching the investment governance model to each scheme’s unique governance budget, and the particular strengths of the trustees, is essential.

We explore the different options available, and how an emerging middle ground between the traditional advisory model and full fiduciary management may address many of trustees’ requirements in an endgame world.

This morning session is accredited for CPD points by the Pensions Management Institute (PMI) and is exclusively for pension fund decision makers.

Speakers

Simon Bentley
Managing Director and Head of UK Client Portfolio Management
Simon is responsible for the investment outcome we deliver to a range of our Investment Solutions clients in the UK and Ireland. Simon is a long-standing and experienced member of our Investment Solutions team, having joined the business just under 11 years ago. He has 23 years of investment experience, specifically focussing on LDI and fixed income portfolios for over 15 of those. He has worked with many large pension schemes to implement a range of LDI, fixed income and derivative based solutions and has previously held roles at Insight Investment, UBS, Newton and Lazard Asset Management. Simon is an engineer by background, having studied Product Design and Manufacture (BEng) at Loughborough University. As well as spending time with his young family, Simon is a keen petrolhead, and enjoys keeping fit, skiing and watching rugby in his free time.
Charles Shodijo
Vice President,UK Institutional
Charles joined the business in 2021 to lead institutional business development and relationship management for DB and DC pension schemes. Previously Charles worked within the investment teams at several large pension schemes including Tesco Pension Investment (c.£18bn scheme) leading private market manager research & selection, as well as Cadent Gas Pension Scheme (c.£7bn scheme) working on investment strategy; and brings a unique perspective to his role having been on the other side of the table. Earlier in his career Charles worked at Fidelity leading growth strategy projects; and before moving into asset management Charles worked at Barclays leading strategy consulting, commercial due diligence and corporate development projects. Despite being an accountant by training, and working in financial services for most of his c.16-year career, Charles actually started off working in media working for Sky and Virgin Media in commercial finance roles, and once had his own music production company. In his spare time Charles enjoys spending time with his young family, watching football (Liverpool FC), travelling (including for football), going to the gym and doing a spot of Muay Thai.

Program

8:45 AM Login and Access Meeting

The University Roundtable will take place online via a 'Zoom' meeting. We will provide further information, including an access link and password to all attendees in advance of the event.
8:55 AM Welcome and Introductions
9:00 AM Presentation

At this Digital Roundtable we will explore how an emerging middle ground between the traditional advisory model and full fiduciary management may address many of trustees’ requirements in an endgame world.

Speaker

Simon Bentley and Charles Shodijo, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
10:00 AM Final Questions and Close
10:15 AM End

mallowstreet Digital Roundtable: Getting the Governance Right in the Endgame

Speakers

Program

8:45 AM Login and Access Meeting

8:55 AM Welcome and Introductions

9:00 AM Presentation

Speaker

10:00 AM Final Questions and Close

10:15 AM End