Speakers
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Anita Bhatia Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee - Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Anita is a Senior Investment Adviser to multiple global organisations [bfinance] with over 20 years of experience in investment strategy and portfolio management across public and private financial markets. She advises institutional asset owners on asset allocation, investment policy and governance, manager research and selection, and risk management. She also provides specialist advice in relation to sustainable and impact investment strategies.
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Natalie Yapp Head of Endowment and Foundation Sales UK - Mercer
Natalie Yapp is Head of Endowment and Foundation Sales – UK at Mercer, where Natalie leads strategic growth initiatives and develops high-impact partnerships to advance the firm’s Endowment & Foundations proposition. With a distinguished career in the not-for-profit investment sector, Natalie brings deep expertise in business development, relationship management, and delivering results in dynamic environments.
Prior to joining Mercer, Natalie was Head of Business Development (Charities) at Rathbones and has also worked at Brewin Dolphin, Heartwood Investment Management, and PIMCO, earning a reputation for strategic insight and commitment to client success.
Natalie holds an Executive MBA from Cranfield School of Management, the CISI Sustainable and Responsible Investment qualification, and the Investment Management Certificate (CFA UK). Passionate about mentoring and inclusion, Natalie serves as a GAIN (Girls Are Investors) ambassador, Girlguiding leader, and advocate for gender balance within the financial services industry.
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Michael Spinks Portfolio Manager, Mixed Assets and Charities Team –BNY Investments Newton
Michael joined Newton in October 2024 as a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Mixed Assets and Charities Team, with joint investment responsibilities for several UK charity and specialist institutional portfolios. He joined Newton from Ninety One, where he managed a range of multi-asset portfolios on behalf of pension funds, charities, and sovereign wealth funds. Prior to this, he was a Portfolio Manager at Schroders, having begun his investment career at Watson Wyatt (now WTW) in 1996. Michael holds a BA (Hons) in Mathematics & Economics from Durham University and is a CFA charterholder.
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James Mitchell Client Director - BNY Investments Newton
James is a member of the client director team and is responsible for a wide range of Newton's institutional segregated fund clients. He joined Newton 2002, prior to which he worked at Clerical Medical Investment Management as a pension funds client director. His initial investment experience was gained at Banque Nationale de Paris (Hong Kong) as a fund manager and economist, and at Delta Asia Securities (Hong Kong) as a research analyst.
James has a BA (Hons) in Economics and is a Member of the CFA Institute.
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Sebastien Duquet Director, Development , Blended finance, DFI, Foundations - Natixis Investment Managers
As Director – Head of DFI & Sovereign Business, Sebastien pilot the development of Mirova private assets funds towards Development finance institutions, sovereign entities and foundations, in complement of the existing Mirova and Natixis team. He is particularly involved in the development of the energy transition and natural capital blended finance funds. Sebastien joined Mirova in 2022, following the acquisition of SunFunder, where he was part of the management team.
Sebastien previously held roles as Chief Investment Officer and Deputy CEO of Symbiotics, CEO of Oxus, Manager at responsAbility (formerly PlaNIS), CEO of PlaNet Finance, and TAS Senior Director at Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young. He holds degrees from EDHEC and DESCF and teaches at Sciences PO Paris and EDHEC.
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Francesca McSloy Director – UK & Ireland Institutional Sales - Natixis Investment Managers
Francesca is a Director in the UK Institutional Sales Team, responsible for Natixis’ relationships with Global Fiduciaries and Specialist Advisers. She joined Natixis in December 2021 from State Street Investment Management, where she was responsible for UK Strategic Partnerships and Sales.
Prior to this, Francesca worked at Hermes Investment Management in the UK Sales Team and Waverton Investment Management, as part of their Charities Business Development Team.
Francesca achieved a first class honours degree in Neuroscience from King’s College, London.
