Citywire: The Selection Show
We go on-the-ground to hear first-hand what top selectors and managers are focusing on.
Breaking & Entering S2 Ep.3: From alphabetising the symbol for Prince to overseeing an AI fund
In the third episode of the Breaking & Entering new series, we deep dive into the world of classical music, and how an academic musician can easily move towards asset management. Chris Ford now manages the Sanlam AI Artificial Intelligence fund, but there was a time when his job was…
Breaking & Entering S2 Ep.2: From 70s tech and old-school coding to 'accidental' AM
In the second episode of the Breaking & Entering new series, we discover the story of Tom Hancock, who went from being a research scientist at IBM surrounded by punched cards and noisy computers, to work in asset management at GMO. Hancock studied computer science at Harvard University and wasn’t…
Why putting ‘ESG’ or ‘sustainability’ into fund names still matters
Even though many Article 8 funds under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation don’t have buzzwords like ‘ESG’ in the names, their inclusion sends a stronger signal to investors. Speaking to Citywire Selector Hortense Bioy, head of ESG research at Morningstar, said if a fund’s name doesn’t include ‘ESG’ or sustainability…
Breaking & Entering S2 Ep.1: From figure skating to asset management
Breaking & Entering is back, with ex figure skating athlete Alban Préaubert as the first guest in the second series of the podcast. In this episode, the Sycomore AM fund manager tells Daniel Ruiz about his switch from competing for France in World Championships and GPs all around the globe,…
EM Insider: Analysing the impact of the Ukraine war on EMD
In this episode of EM Insider, Raphael Kassin shares his thoughts on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has hit specific markets and what investment decisions he has noticed both in the lead up and following the onset of the conflict. Also in this episode, Kassin tells Citywire Selector reporter,…
IWD 2022: No longer a gentleman’s club, but identity challenges persist
While the traditional ‘gentleman’s club’ ethos may not be as visible as it once was, female fund managers still face daily obstacles not experienced by male peers. That’s according to Polar Capital’s Naomi Waistell, who spoke about her experience and ascent through the financial industry as part of a special…
How sustainability push helps gender representation in finance
The increasing importance of ESG and sustainability-focused roles is helping to boost the number of women working in finance. This is according to Susanne Bolin Gärtner, head of fund and manager selection at Danske Bank, who has noticed this significant shift in the last couple of years. Also in this…
Why asset managers are slow at initiating diversity resolutions
Stewardship is a powerful tool for investors to nudge companies towards better diversity practices, even though asset managers are still relatively timid at filing resolutions addressing the topic. This is according to Deborah Gilshan, founder of the 100% Club, who talked about the highlights of the recently published FTSE Women…
Why tying compensation to diversity is a double-edged sword
It’s tempting to solve diversity issues through CEO compensation incentives, but investors need to understand the problem is more nuanced. This is according to Anna Snider, head of due diligence for the wealth management division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, who said there is not enough data to show…
EM Insider – Ep.17 What could a Ukraine invasion mean for EM, and the wider markets
Which EM countries were the biggest winners and losers in 2021, and where should investors look to in 2022? Emerging market debt expert Raphael Kassin shares his thoughts on the year ahead, as well as what a Russian invasion of Ukraine would look like for the market.
How asset managers can make female managers more visible
There are a number of experienced female professionals in the fund industry, but many lack the confidence to speak up, which diminishes their chances of being seen. Speaking to Citywire Selector, Manuela Froehlich, co-founder of the Fondsfrauen network, said media training is key in promoting talented female voices in the…
Why diversity of teams matters for fund selection
When analysing strategies, fund selectors often consider financial metrics and whether a fund lives up to its stated return profile or investment strategy. However, softer aspects, such as the diversity of the portfolio management team, are often overlooked even though they can lead to better decision making. In this episode…
Future Thinking S3 Ep.9 - How the pandemic has shaped the future of thematic funds
The Covid-19 pandemic is often painted as solely a healthcare story but other areas stand to benefit and, by extension, investors may soon face an intriguing array of new thematic strategies to capitalise on the most prominent themes. That’s the view of Aanand Venkatramanan, head of ETF investment strategies and…
Future Thinking S3 Ep8. - How the great data drive needs to improve to help ESG
Investors want to go green more than ever before but concerns rage over how to accurately measure what they are doing and whether they are running very quickly in the wrong direction. So, what can they do about it? In this latest episode of Future Thinking, Tatjana Puhan, deputy chief…
Future Thinking S3 Ep7. - What it takes to make serious money from other people’s songs
Gary Moglione likes music but he likes royalty revenues more. The specialist investor, who works for Momentum Investment Management, has amassed a portfolio of pop picks that produce a steady stream of returns for his clients. In this latest episode of Future Thinking, the UK-based portfolio manager looks at how…
Future Thinking S3 Ep.6 – What the future really holds for boutique asset managers
The outlook for independent asset managers has come under increased scrutiny following a wave of mega-mergers, but Dominic Johnson believes boutiques still have a huge amount to offer even if the challenges are becoming more and more apparent. In this podcast, Johnson, who is CEO and co-founder of Somerset Capital,…
Let's Talk About ESG Ep.24: Why greenwashing talk is not always helpful
The term greenwashing is used a lot these days, but it’s not much use for investors in the absence of commonly-agreed definitions of sustainability. This is according to Hortense Bioy, global director of sustainability research at Morningstar, who said greenwashing sometimes results from different perceptions of what is and isn’t…
Future Thinking S3 Ep5. – What you really need to know about demographics
The ‘emerging middle class’ may be among the most touted topics when it comes to areas of investment potential, but what is the reality of opportunities when it comes to investing with a demographics mindset? In this latest episode of Future Thinking, Henk Grootveld, head of trends investing, Lombard Odier…
Let's Talk About ESG Ep.23: Taxonomania might lead to greenwashing
The plethora of green taxonomies will pose a challenge for global asset managers and could unwittingly lead to greenwashing. Speaking to Citywire Selector Gill Lofts, global sustainable leader at EY, said the sheer number of frameworks defining green businesses in different countries will cause headaches for investment firms. Lofts said…
Future Thinking S3 Ep4. - How the internet is democratising small-cap expansion
The pandemic has pushed more and more of us online, but who is making the best use of these new technological tools? Citywire AA-rated Rayna Lesser Hannaway of Polen Capital believes small-caps are at the forefront of this change. On this latest episode of Future Thinking, Hannaway outlines how the…