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Workshops
Workshops
Scottish Mortgage: A Distinctive DNA
At Scottish Mortgage, our purpose is simple: maximise total returns over the long term. We aim to offer a liquid and low-cost portfolio of the world’s most exceptional public and private growth companies.
Key characteristics of Scottish Mortgage:
• Investment Company Structure: Closed-ended, supporting long-term focus, modest leverage, and inclusion of private companies.
• Private Company Exposure: Up to 30% of the portfolio can be in private companies. Includes some of the largest, most successful private companies in the world.
• Seeking Outliers: the small percentage of businesses that drive the majority of market returns.
• Mindset: The managers aspire to curiosity, patience, and bravery in investments.
• Belief that Change Drives Growth: Companies harnessing valuable change through new technologies, business models, and forms of demands.
Workshop Objective: To explore this brand-new opportunity, which has an excellent hundred-year track record.
Company Profile: The purpose of the Scottish Mortgage is simple: maximise total returns over the long term. To do that, we aim to own the world’s most exceptional public and private growth companies, in one liquid and low-cost portfolio. We utilise an investment company structure to do this. And we limit fees so that shareholders keep more of any returns generated
Scottish Mortgage and its manager Baillie Gifford were founded in 1908 to work together, seeking the best growth. Scottish Mortgage is one of the largest, most liquid and best-known UK investment companies. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the UK’s blue chip stock index, the FTSE 100.
Speakers
Hamish Maxwell
Investment Specialist Manager
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Hamish joined Baillie Gifford in 2017 and is a member of the Scottish Mortgage Team. Hamish works closely with the managers, meeting with portfolio companies and conducting in-depth portfolio discussions with shareholders. Prior to joining Scottish Mortgage, he worked on Baillie Gifford's international equities strategies alongside Lawrence Burns. Before Baillie Gifford, Hamish served in the Royal Navy as a Commissioned Officer. He is a CFA Charterholder and achieved an MBA from City, University of London.
Representatives
Wim de Ruijter
Client Relationship Director
Wim joined Baillie Gifford in 2021 and is a client relationship director in our Clients Department, with responsibility for clients in the Benelux. Wim has over 25 years’ investment experience in a broad range of roles, ranging from analyst, portfolio management to relationship management with institutional and intermediary clients. Wim graduated with a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Groningen and is a CFA-charter holder.
Fund Group Workshop
Speakers
Craig Abouchar, CFA
Managing Director
Craig Abouchar is a member of Barings’ European High Yield Investment Group and the European High Yield Investment Committee. He is a lead portfolio manager for the firm’s European High Yield Bond business and he is responsible for the portfolio management of numerous strategies. Craig has worked in the industry since 1994 and his experience has encompassed a focus on below-investment-grade assets across all investment types and geographic markets. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, he was Co-CEO, Europe of Castle Hill Asset Management. Prior to Castle Hill, Craig was a portfolio manager at Ignis Investment Management. He was also previously the chairman of the board of directors for the European High Yield Association. Craig holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Emory University, an M.B.A in Finance and International Business from Columbia University and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Fund Group Workshop
When sustainability meets opportunity: introducing the new Capital Group Future Generations Global Opportunities Fund (LUX)
This presentation will provide insights on sustainable investments at Capital Group while introducing the new Future Generation Funds range proposed by Capital Group.
In more details, the presentation propose a deep dive into what is Capital Group Future Generations Global Opportunities Fund (LUX) and what makes it so distinctive – in short : the fact that it is a global equity fund, positively aligned to the UN SDGs that seeks to deliver long-term growth of capital and superior investment returns, powered by proprietary, global research.
Workshop Objectives: Capital Group’s presentation of Capital Group Future Generations Global Opportunities Fund (LUX) aims at demonstrating Capital Group investment capabilities in the ESG/sustainable segment, together with investment opportunities uncovered in this segment for long-term investors.
Company Profile: Capital Group is one of the oldest and largest asset management companies in the world, managing multi-asset, equity, and fixed income investment strategies for different types of investors. Since 1931, Capital Group has been singularly focused on delivering superior, consistent results for long-term investors using high-conviction portfolios, rigorous research, and individual accountability. Capital Group has an integrated global research network of more than 450 investment professionals and its portfolio managers have an average of 28 years of experience. Capital Group manages over US$2.8 trillion (as at Dec 2024) in long-term assets for investors around the world.
Speakers
Belinda Gan
ESG Investment Director
Belinda Gan is an ESG investment director at Capital Group. She has 20 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for three years. Prior to joining Capital, Belinda worked as an investment director - global sustainability at Schroders. Before that, she was an account executive at Threadneedle Investments. Belinda began her career at Goldman Sachs Australia. She holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and a bachelor's degree in business systems from Monash University, Australia. She also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. Belinda is based in London.
Representatives
Kim Pex
Managing Director Financial Intermediaries & InstitutionsBelgium, Luxembourg & France
Kim Pex is a managing director at Capital Group. He has 18 years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for five years. Prior to joining Capital, Kim worked as an international markets manager at Cardif Lux Vie. Before that, he was a relationship manager at IWI. He holds a bachelor's degree in office management in finance and insurance from Katholieke Hogeschool Mechelen De Ham. Kim is based in Luxembourg.
Zoé Lavaud
Business Development Associate Financial Intermediaries & Institutions France, Luxembourg & Belgium
Zoé Lavaud is a business development associate at Capital Group. She has four years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for one year. Prior to joining Capital, Zoé worked as a client relationship manager at Crédit Mutuel Investment Managers. Before that, she worked as sales support at Natixis Investment Managers. She holds a master`s degree in management with specialization in finance from SKEMA Business School and a bachelor's degree in business from Wrexham University. Zoé is based in Luxembourg.
Empureon Volatility One Fund – the Risk-Reduced Volatility Premium
In order to provide empirical evidence for the investment case the presentation starts with analysing the volatility premium, its existence, and magnitude. The spread between implied and realized volatility in the U.S. equity market is quantified over a long historical period to confirm its role as a genuine capital market premium.
The systematic investment process of the Volatility One Fund is detailed, highlighting its strategy for capturing the volatility premium in a risk-reduced way. The investment process involves selling out-of-the-money (OTM) S&P 500 puts as well as purchasing additional hedges.
Finally, the presentation introduces the investable share classes of the fund and the experienced team responsible for its management.
Workshop Objectives: As a leading expert in volatility strategies, Empureon provides investors with insights into the volatility premium, its applications, effective strategies, and benefits of incorporating such strategies into diversified portfolios.
Company Profile: Empureon Capital Management specializes in the development and implementation of clear and transparent return profiles. We are convinced that we can provide investors elementary investment solutions for their diversified portfolio.
Our focus is on the identification and risk-controlled collection of attractive market premiums.
The Empureon team has more than 12 years of experience managing systematic strategies and was responsible for multiple award-winning funds with a total volume of approximately EUR 4 billion.
Speakers
Daniel Lucke
Managing Partner
Daniel Lucke is Managing Partner at Empureon Capital Management. Previously, he was Director in the at FERI Trust (2011-2023) in the Volatility Strategies team, which he also headed (2020-2023), growing it into a market leader with €4 bn AuM. He graduated with distinction from the Frankfurt School of Finance in 2011. Formerly a portfolio manager at BHF-BANK, he managed funds and contributed to their multi-asset approach. He is a frequent speaker and media expert.
Ahmet Peker
Managing Partner
Ahmet Peker is Managing Partner at Empureon Capital Management. Previously, he was responsible for institutional clients (2018-2023) at FERI and led the Institutional Clients Germany division (2020–2023). He worked at Deka Investment as Senior Portfolio Manager and started his career at Ernst & Young. He co-headed the Germany Chapter of CAIA, contributes to industry publications, and is a sought-after speaker. He holds a business degree (2005) and excels in institutional asset management.
Representatives
Erik Wille
Director
Erik Wille is Director at Empureon Capital Management. Previously, he worked at FERI Trust GmbH (2018–2023) in the Volatility Strategies department as Portfolio Manager, handling fund models, trading, research, and client relations. He holds a Master of Finance (M.Sc.) from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and has experience in Family Office services, Investment Consulting, and Manager Selection. Before finance, he was a professional soccer player for Eintracht Frankfurt and MSV Duisburg.
Fund Group Workshop
EM fixed income in 2025: What are investors missing?
Increased geopolitical risk and the Trump 2.0 playbook has generated huge volatility within Emerging Markets in 2025. TT’s Head of Emerging Markets Debt, JC Sambor, will examine the need to disrupt the usual rationale towards emerging markets investing under this new regime, the potential for return of capital flows back to Emerging Markets, blind spots and potential surprises for EM investors. He will discuss why this environment is well suited for nimble and contrarian investment managers and how TT EM Debt team is taking advantage of these opportunities.
Workshop Objectives: Our objective is to challenge conventional emerging markets investment strategies amid rising geopolitical risk and the Trump 2.0 playbook, highlighting overlooked risks, potential surprises, and renewed opportunities for capital inflows in 2025 on the back of sudden changes in USD and US Treasuries landscape.
Company Profile: TT International is an alpha-driven specialist investment manager with a strong DNA in EM investing.
Since 1988, TT’s journey has seen us evolve from our macro hedge fund origins into a manager with cross-asset long-only and long/short capabilities spanning global markets, with a large proportion of AUM being in emerging markets.
Just as our product range has evolved, so has our ownership structure. In 2020, TT was acquired by leading Japanese financial services organisation, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG).
We therefore offer an independent, nimble and specialised boutique approach combined with the ownership of a global bank with one of the biggest footprints in emerging markets.
Speakers
Jean-Charles Sambor
Head of EM Debt
Jean-Charles “JC” Sambor is TT’s Head of Emerging Markets Debt. He previously was Head of EM Fixed Income at BNP Paribas AM and CEO of IIF Asia Pacific. He also worked at TCW and a large hedge fund. JC began as an EM economist at Société Générale. He holds degrees from, UPMF, École Normale Supérieure, and Sorbonne University in economics and philosophy, respectively and is a UCLA alumnus.
Representatives
Ksenia Kelly
Head of Business Development, Europe
Based in our London office, Ksenia is responsible for relationship management and business development in Europe. Prior to joining TT in 2024, she spent 15 years as Federated Hermes where she was Director of Business Development. Ksenia holds a BA in Modern Languages and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.
The Blockchain Revolution
This discussion explores the key trends driving blockchain adoption and its disruptive impact on industries. We will examine how investors can capitalize on this transformation through equity exposure to two categories of firms—enablers (companies developing blockchain infrastructure) and engagers (businesses integrating blockchain into their operations). The discussion will cover methods for evaluating these firms, market tailwinds supporting blockchain’s growth, and strategies for structuring them into a portfolio
Workshop Objectives:
• Analyse market developments shaping blockchain adoption.
• Understand the roles of enabler and engager firms in the blockchain ecosystem.
• Learn how to construct a portfolio optimized for blockchain exposure.
Company Profile: WisdomTree was founded in 2006 with a passion for creating better ways to invest, being the first investment manager to weight by dividends. Since 2014, our European business has grown in terms of product set and AUM. In April 2018, we completed the acquisition of ETF Securities' exchange-traded commodities, currencies and short-and-leveraged business, including the world’s first gold ETP. Today we are the biggest independent ETP provider globally and offer one of the most innovative ranges of ETPs, covering commodities, FX, equities, fixed income, cryptocurrency and liquid alternatives.
Speakers
Blake Heimann
Senior Associate, Quantitative Research, WisdomTree
Blake Heimann joined WisdomTree in 2020 and supports the creation, maintenance, and reconstitution of WisdomTree’s indices. Blake began his career in finance in 2017 as an Analyst at TD Ameritrade and, later, a Quantitative Analyst with a focus on the development of machine learning applications in finance.
Blake has bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Economics from Iowa State University, as well as a master’s in Computer Science from Georgia Tech, with a specialisation in Machine Learning. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Finance from the London School of Economics.
Representatives
Daniel Bosma
Associate Director, Benelux Sales
Mehdi Abichou
Associate, France and Benelux, Sales
Mehdi joined WisdomTree in June 2022 and is now Sales Associate covering clients in France and the Benelux region.
Prior to that he started his career at Societe Generale in London where he worked in the sales facilitation team for the Global Transaction and Payment Services (GTPS) department.
Mehdi holds a bachelor’s in international business management and a master’s degree in finance and investment banking from the Business School of Nottingham Trent University, UK.