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Speakers
Professor Richard A. Werner
Professor Richard A. Werner, D.Phil. (Oxon), B.Sc. (Economics, LSE) is Chair in International Banking at the University of Southampton, UK and Director of its Centre for Banking, Finance and Sustainable Development. He is currently also visiting Professor of Monetary Economics at Goethe University, Frankfurt. At the same time he is CIO and fund manager at Providence Asset Management Ltd., UK, managing global macro funds, and works as adviser and consultant to investors and governments via his Tokyo-based Profit Research Center Ltd., known for its monthly Global Liquidity Watch report.
Richard has two decades of experience in the financial sector, including as chief economist at Jardine Fleming Securities (Asia) Ltd., Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Bear Stearns Asset Management Ltd., as senior consultant or visiting researcher at the Asian Development Bank, the Japanese Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Japan, the Japan Development Bank and the Nomura Research Institute. For three years, Richard served as member of the asset allocation board of a US$6.5bn Japanese corporate pension fund.
In 1991, Richard warned of a banking crisis and major slump in Japan. In 1994, he coined the concept of ‘quantitative easing’. His book ‘Princes of the Yen’ (2001), on the role of central banks in financial crises, was a No. 1 bestseller in Japan. In his book ‘New Paradigm in Macroeconomics’, Palgrave Macmillan (2005), he warned about the dangers of the ‘recurring banking crises’, including the looming financial collapse in the UK, and detailed needed policy responses. Richard has been voted one of the top economists by investor surveys and is sought as a commentator by the media. He has given numerous television interviews in half a dozen countries, including on BBC, CNBC, ITV, ZDF, Bloomberg and Reuters TV, etc. He is frequently sought as keynote speaker in many countries. The World Economic Forum, Davos, selected him as “Global Leader for Tomorrow” in 2003.
Sarah de Lagarde
Sarah de Lagarde is a distinguished executive with extensive expertise in corporate communications within the financial industry, currently excelling as the Brighter Future Strategist at Janus Henderson Investors. With a robust background in stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, and brand management, Sarah is deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability.
In 2022, Sarah's life took a dramatic turn following an incident that resulted in her becoming a double amputee. This profound challenge did not slow her down; rather, it fuelled her advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the aid of an AI-powered bionic arm enabling her to continue her professional and public speaking endeavors. Her objective is to leverage her leadership experience and personal insights to enhance strategic directions and impactful solutions for accessible and sustainable mobility.
Sarah's professional path includes significant roles at Janus Henderson Investors, where she led global corporate affairs and communications, and at prestigious financial institutions like Schroders, BNY Mellon, BMO, and JP Morgan. She holds academic credentials from UC Berkeley, Cornell University, and ESCP Business School, and is a multilingual speaker fluent in English, French, German, and Dutch.
An active public speaker, panelist, and TV personality, Sarah has engaged with audiences at major corporations and institutions, advocating for responsible AI, healthcare innovation and disability rights. Her role as an educator is highlighted through guest lectures at institutions like the London School of Economics and HEC Paris, underscoring her commitment to spreading knowledge and fostering understanding.
Her personal achievements include becoming the first woman with double prosthetics to summit Mount Kilimanjaro and delivering influential talks such as a TEDxLondon Business School presentation on turning adversity into innovation. Moreover, Sarah's role as a mother showcases her ability to balance professional excellence with personal commitment.
Sarah also contributes as a board member at the Janus Henderson Foundation, an ambassador for the Global Women in AI, and through her literary work, including her business book ‘Cracking the Code’. Her life and career are testament to her resilience and dedication to making significant social impacts, particularly in the realms of accessibility and rights for disabled individuals.
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Workshops
Workshops
Roadkill on the EM Debt Highway
A tragic real-life tale of EM debt investing run over by index construction and narrow thinking. The EMsights team will highlight their differentiated approach which aims to generate alpha and reduce volatility by capturing opportunities beyond outdated borders and biases.
Workshop Objectives: Explore the advantages of investing in emerging markets debt and learn how an active investment strategy, that manages around the limitations of the benchmarks, can lead to more favorable outcomes within this asset class.
Company Profile: Artisan Partners was founded in 1994 with the objective of producing high value added and differentiated investment outcomes for institutional investors, through identifying, attracting and retaining high caliber talent in long term asset classes. We provide the resources of a full-scale, global firm paired with the independence of a boutique to each of our autonomous investment teams, who have the freedom to execute its own process based on its original research and creative perspectives. While our teams differ across market capitalizations, geographical regions, investment styles and product offerings, they are all highly incentivized to deliver long-term value for our clients.
Speakers
Darren Goldman
Managing Director and Business Leader
Darren Goldman is a Managing Director of Artisan Partners and Business Leader for EMsights Capital Group. Prior to joining Artisan Partners, Mr. Goldman was a Managing Director and Client Portfolio Manager in the global sovereign debt and currencies group of Barings LLC, as well as an SVP of investor relations and business development with Cabezon Investment Group. Mr. Goldman holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.
Representatives
Pearse Monaghan
Director, EMEA Client Group
Pearse Monaghan is a director on the EMEA Client Group at Artisan Partners. Prior to joining Artisan Partners in April 2017, Mr. Monaghan was a Director at Nomura Asset Management with responsibility for the UK business. He has also held positions at HSBC Asset Management, and Pioneer Investments.
Conviction in credit: our straightforward approach to strategic bond investing
Workshop Objectives:
• Understand that investors are almost always overcompensated for taking credit risk over the long term
• Demonstrate that market inefficiencies can persistently be found at the individual bond level
• Learn about our approach to harnessing these return drivers and navigating ever-changing markets
Speakers
Robert Baltzer
Head of Credit Research
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Robert is head of Credit Research and co-manager of the Strategic Bond Strategy. He joined Baillie Gifford in 2001 on the graduate scheme, becoming an investment grade bond manager in 2004 before going on to manage high yield portfolios in 2010. He is responsible for running the corporate credit portion of the Managed strategy. Robert has managed strategic bond strategies since 2012. He graduated MMath from Durham University in 2001 and is a CFA Charterholder.
Representatives
Scott Mackenzie
Client Relationship Director
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Scott is a client relationship director of Intermediary Clients within our Clients Departments, responsible for covering London. Prior to joining Baillie Gifford, he had 10 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Scott graduated with a BA in Economics and Politics from the University of Essex in 1998.
Nathan Evans
Client Manager
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Nathan is a client manager with a focus on Advisers across the UK. He joined Baillie Gifford in 2020 as a member of the UK Intermediaries Team. He graduated MA (Hons) in Business Studies from the University of Edinburgh in 2018.
Credit markets: how to respond to changing backdrops for beta and alpha
Credit markets are not immune from this challenging environment for investors, with spreads historically tight even if all-in yields are attractive.
Such a backdrop has potential to drive higher levels of risk in portfolios, but importantly also offers unique opportunities for those credit investors equipped with the necessary insight and expertise to capitalise on them
Speakers
Adam Whiteley, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Adam joined Insight in September 2007 as a Credit Analyst in the Fixed Income Group before becoming a Credit Portfolio Manager at the end of 2008. Adam graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics from Nottingham University. He holds the Investment Management Certificate from the CFA* Society of the UK and is also a CFA* charterholder.
Andy Burgess
Deputy Head of Investment Specialists
Andy joined Insight in August 2014 as a fixed income investment specialist. Andy joined Insight from GE Asset Management (GEAM) where he was a portfolio manager responsible for managing the Euro Fixed Income Fund. Prior to this, he held various portfolio manager roles at GEAM’s predecessor companies. He started his investment management career in 1997 at National Mutual Life as an assistant portfolio manager, with a focus on Far East equities. Andy graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Economics and Economic History and is an Associate of the CFA Society of the UK.
Representatives
Edward Lee
Sales Investment Director BNY Investments
Ed joined BNY Mellon Investment Management in October 2017 and is a member of the UK Intermediary distribution team with a focus on Private Banks, Wealth Managers and Rating Agencies. Ed joined from Muzinich & Co where he was responsible for the distribution of their Fixed Income solutions within the UK & Channel Islands, and was also responsible for the relationship management for the firm’s Scandinavian and Dutch clients.
Charles Thompson
Director, Investment Sales UK & Ireland BNY Investments
Charles is a Sales Director servicing intermediary clients in London and Ireland. He’s been at BNY Mellon for 12 years, having previously worked at several other asset management companies in London and NY. Charles graduated from The University of St Mary’s, and he is the holder of the CAIA Charter, Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and General Securities Representative Exam (NYSE Series 7).
Active Management in Fixed Income: How a structured approach to valuation and disciplined risk management drive alpha
Amidst the relentless barrage of headlines, it’s increasingly difficult to keep a cool head and cut through the noise.
With heightened volatility and historically tight spreads, credit investors need a disciplined approach to find opportunities for outperformance while managing risk. In this environment, informed sector allocation and careful security selection are increasingly critical for asset managers to build, position, and minimise risk in their portfolios. Through the systematic monitoring of credit valuations and long-term trends, the GIB AM Sustainable World Corporate Bond Fund is positioned to exploit market inefficiencies while maintaining controlled risk positioning.
Samantha Lamb, Head of Fixed Income, discusses how GIB’AMs structured approach to diversification, valuation, and risk management drives compelling risk adjusted returns through the cycle.
Workshop Objectives: Explore how a structured approach to diversification, valuation, and risk management can drive superior risk adjusted returns through the credit cycle
Company Profile: GIB Asset Management is a focused asset manager delivering high-conviction, actively managed equity and fixed income strategies in markets where active works best. Our strength lies in deploying talent with strong processes into under-researched, hard-to-navigate areas and unlocking value through deep fundamental research and direct company engagement. Backed by institutional infrastructure and a reinvigorated culture, we offer global investors a differentiated path to alpha generation.
Speakers
Samantha Lamb
Head of Fixed Income
Samantha is the Head of Fixed Income at GIB Asset Management and has overall responsibility for GIB's Fixed Income capabilities. Samantha holds a BA in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Leeds and is a CFA Charterholder.
Representatives
Matt Bryan
Business Development Director
Matt is a Business Development Director at GIB Asset Management, responsible for fund distribution of across the UK. With over 8 years’ experience in asset management distribution, he joined GIB in 2024 from Foresight Group, where he was an Associate Director responsible for UCITS fund distribution. Matt holds a BSc in Geography & Oceanography from the University of Southampton and the CFA’s Investment Management Certificate (IMC).
Fabio Marinello
Business Development Executive
Fabio is a Business Development Executive at GIB Asset Management, focused on growing the firm's assets and profile across the UK. He joined GIB in 2022 as an analyst before starting his current role in 2023. Previously, he was on the Institutional Liquidity Sales team at BNP Paribas Asset Management. Fabio holds a BSc in Politics with Economics and is currently undertaking the CFA qualification.
Unlocking Value in Fixed Income: The Power of being Active
This session provides an in-depth look at the current macroeconomic outlook and the evolving global fixed income landscape. Examine the key drivers influencing government bond markets and discover how active management – demonstrated by the JPM Global Government Bond Fund – can deliver superior risk-adjusted returns. Lastly, gain insight into the growing importance and benefits of the active ETF wrapper in building resilient portfolios.
Workshop Objectives:
- Explain key macroeconomic trends shaping global government bond markets.
- Demonstrate the advantages of active management and ETFs structures.
Speakers
Kim Crawford
Global Rates Portfolio Manager
Kim Crawford, executive director, is a global rates portfolio manager within the Global Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities (GFICC) group. She has been an employee of the firm since 2014 and is based in London. Previously, Kim has worked in the rates trading team in the Asset Management arm, and in rates sales in the Investment Bank where she covered real money clients. She holds a BSc in accounting and finance from London School of Economics, and is a CFA charterholder.
Representatives
James Wring
Senior Client Advisor
James Wring, Executive Director is a Senior Client Advisor for the South and South-West. He has over 30 years’ experience across various parts of the financial services industry with Sun Life, AXA and more recently with Jupiter Asset Management where he was a Regional Sales Manager. He joined J.P. Morgan in May 2018. James lives to the south of Bristol, is married with 4 children and is a keen cyclist as well as a follower of both Rugby and Football.
Identifying global high yield opportunities in volatile markets
Using fundamental analysis to distinguish 'breakable' assets, high yield bonds that are at risk of default in challenging economic conditions, from 'bendable' assets, those that can weather periods of increased uncertainty and are 'built to survive'. We will also share our latest analysis of the market outlook and outline how this is reflected in our portfolio positioning.
Workshop Objectives: Understand how we distinguish 'breakable' from 'bendable' high yield assets using fundamental analysis and explore how current market conditions inform positioning decisions.
Company Profile: Marlborough
Marlborough is one of the UK’s leading independently owned investment
management specialists. As well as running funds in-house, we have appointed hand-picked investment managers around the world to run a number of our single-strategy funds.
TCW
TCW is the sub-investment manager for our global high yield bond fund.
The Los Angeles-headquartered company manages over $169bn of fixed income assets, including $39 billion managed by the TCW credit team. TCW fosters a strong culture of employee ownership, with more than 44% of the firm owned by its management and staff.
Speakers
Russel Higgins
Managing Director Fixed Income, TCW
Mr. Higgins is a Senior Credit Analyst in the Fixed Income group responsible for European credit research. He joined TCW in 2022 from Barings Asset Management, where he was a Director in the European Fixed Income team covering high yield and distressed investments. Prior to joining Barings, he was a credit analyst for a UK hedge fund, Cognis Capital. Mr. Higgins started his career at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a think tank funded by the Department for International Development (DFID.) He holds a BS in Engineering with a major in Mechatronics from the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Nick Verdi
Managing Director Fixed Income, TCW
Mr Verdi is a Global Rates and FX Strategist in the Fixed Income group, where he leverages his analysis to generate recommendations for the Global Rates portfolio management team. Prior to joining TCW in London in January 2024, Mr. Verdi was responsible for Global Macro Desk Strategy for UBS in Singapore. Prior to UBS, Mr. Verdi was Head of G10 FX Strategy for Standard Chartered in London and LatAm Strategy in New York. Mr. Verdi started his career at Barclays in European economics and EM Strategy roles in London and later in Singapore. Mr. Verdi holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Birmingham and an MSc in Finance from the University of Reading.
Representatives
Kevin Addison
Head of Wholesale & Institutional Distribution, Malrborough
Kevin was appointed Marlborough’s Head of Wholesale & Institutional Distribution in May 2023. He joined from Downing Fund Managers, where he was Head of Sales & Distribution. Before that Kevin was Head of Funds Distribution at Brooks Macdonald.
What are Corporate Hybrid Bonds and how do they fit into a fixed income portfolio?
The size of the market for Corporate Hybrid Bonds has grown from close to zero in 2012 to over 300 billion US dollars – equivalent - today. The issuers are mainly very high quality, ‘household name’ non-financial companies – such as SSE, National Grid and Vodafone – and the structure is relatively investor-friendly. Furthermore, Corporate Hybrid bonds are becoming an increasingly significant part of the major Investment Grade bond indices. Yet, many investors have little understanding of these bonds’ characteristics and often mistake them for ‘Coco’s’. This session will look to explain what corporate hybrid bonds are, why they are currently attractive and discuss how they can enhance the risk-adjusted returns of a fixed income portfolio.
Workshop Objective: Understand what Corporate Hybrid bonds are, why they are attractive and how they fit into a fixed income portfolio.
Company Profile: The Nomura Asset Management Group is a leading global investment manager. Headquartered in Tokyo, Nomura has additional investment offices throughout the world including London, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Frankfurt and New York. Today Nomura Asset Management provides its clients with a wide range of innovative investment strategies including global, regional and single country equities, high yield bonds and global fixed income strategies.
Speakers
Julian Marks
Managing Director, Head of Corporate Hybrid Bonds
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Julian joined NAM in January 2023 to launch the Corporate Hybrids Strategy. Prior to joining NAM, Julian was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Neuberger Berman for 15 years, where he initiated and led the corporate hybrid strategy from inception in 2015 until his departure in September 2022, by which time dedicated assets were over $4bn. Previously, Julian held a range of portfolio management and analyst roles at Commerzbank, Barclays Global Investors and Mercury Asset Management. He joined the investment industry in 1999. Julian is a CFA Charterholder and holds a BSc in Economics and Accounting from the University of Bristol.
Representatives
Ben Sackitey
Head of Intermediary Distribution, UK & Ireland
Ben Sackitey was appointed Head of Intermediary Distribution, UK & Ireland, at Nomura Asset Management in September 2025. In this role, he leads the firm’s wholesale distribution strategy across the UK & Ireland, with a focus on wealth managers, fund-of-funds, family offices, global financial institutions, and other key financial intermediaries. He has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, having previously spent seven years at Jupiter Asset Management.
Warren Deacey
Client Director, Executive Director
Warren is a Client Director at Nomura Asset Management, where he has been a member of the client relationship team since joining in December 2014. He covers a diverse range of clients across the UK, France, Belgium and Israel, including wholesale, institutional and sovereign wealth fund (SWF) investors. With over a decade of experience at the firm, he focuses on building long-term partnerships and delivering best-in-class service.