Andrew Brigden
Andrew is a partner at Fathom Consulting and its Chief Economist. Since leaving the Bank of England to join Fathom some 20 years ago, he has carried out research and consultancy relating to a wide range of issues confronting the global economy and its financial markets.
Throughout his career, Andrew has been involved in building econometric models. While at the Bank of England, he developed models that described the relationships between money, credit and expenditure in different sectors of the economy. Some of this work was published in peer-reviewed
journals including the Manchester School. He developed and continues to maintain FIRM-DB – Fathom’s model of a typical UK defined-benefit pension scheme. This model has been used both to advise individual schemes, and to produce original research for clients active in the DB pensions landscape. Andrew leads Fathom’s research effort, and over time has helped formulate and develop Fathom’s distinctive, sometimes out-of-consensus calls, on topics ranging from the causes and consequences of the ongoing productivity crisis, through to the factors underpinning record valuations in the UK housing market.
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Kerry McInerney (née Mackereth)
As a Research Fellow at the eminent Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge, Dr. Kerry McInerney (formerly Mackereth)
plays a pivotal role in a leading €1.9 million AI ethics initiative. Kerry takes the helm of the Global Politics of AI project, a pioneering endeavor that delves into the impact of AI on international relations, specifically analyzing the dynamics of a US-China AI arms race through a linguistic lens.
Her articulate discourse spans an array of subjects, encompassing feminism and technology, AI's intersection with anti-Asian racism, the intricacies of AI-driven hiring software, fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech sector, scrutinizing race and racism in higher education, and the significance of authentic portrayals of AI scientists in media.
A compelling co-host of The Good Robot podcast, Kerry, alongside Dr. Eleanor Drage, draws over 40,000 listeners into dialogues with prominent global voices exploring the convergence of feminism and technology. Her resonant insights have graced renowned platforms, including BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking, The Guilty Feminist, BBC Cambridgeshire, the Colin McEnroe show, and the Radical AI Podcast.
Her groundbreaking work on AI-powered recruitment tools has garnered international recognition, with extensive coverage by esteemed media outlets such as the BBC, Forbes, the Register, and the Daily Mail. In parallel, her investigations into the portrayal of AI scientists on screen have sparked discussions in esteemed publications like The Guardian, the Telegraph, BBC Tech Tent, and a host of international platforms.
Workshops
Workshops
Are your clients ready for outcome-based fixed income solutions?
Many of today’s investors have substantial cash allocations designed to reduce risk and/or help with liquidity. Are they missing out on growth and yield? Join abrdn Investments Fixed Income Investment Director Mark Munro as he explains the benefits of outcome-oriented fixed income solutions. Is it time for your clients to take a step out of cash and into a low-volatility fund with strong income potential? Find out in this session.
Workshop Objectives:
1. How do you bring together the best of what a money market fund has to offer with a potential return than cash?
2. What is the best way to capture additional yield, going down the capital structure, down the ratings spectrum or broadening your global universe?
Company Profile: abrdn Investments is a global specialist asset manager committed to helping investors achieve their financial goals in a changing world. With a presence in over 25 locations and managing £369bn in assets as of June 2024, we excel in Asia, emerging markets, specialist equities, real assets, and public and private credit.
Our solutions cater to insurers, pension providers, and include managed portfolios and enhanced index investing. We prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, promoting sustainable practices through active ownership. Our strategy focuses on key themes: financial democratisation, aging populations, emerging markets, and climate change.
At abrdn Investments, we aim to create impactful investment opportunities for our clients today and in the future.
Speakers
Mark Munro
Investment Director, Fixed Income
Mark is part of the global fixed income team at abrdn Investments in Edinburgh. Since 2010, he has managed corporate bond funds, employing a range of strategies from investment grade to unconstrained. He currently leads the abrdn Global Income Bond and Short Dated Enhanced Income funds.
Representatives
Simon Cowan
Head of UK Wealth
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Simon is Head of UK Wealth for the UK Wholesale Team at abrdn Investments, having been a vital since 2014. Based in London, he has extensive experience collaborating with wealth managers, family offices, private banks, and research agencies. Simon holds an MA in Cultural History from Aberdeen University and the Investment Management Certificate (IMC).
Ben Tucker
Business Development Director
Ben is a Business Development Director for the UK Wholesale Team at abrdn. Based in London, he collaborates with wealth managers, family offices, and private banks. Ben holds a BA in Business Administration from Brighton University and brings 14 years of experience in the asset management industry. He joined abrdn in December 2024.
Fergus McCarthy
Head of UK Wholesale and Closed End Fund Sales & Marketing
Fergus joined abrdn in July 2019 to lead the firm’s Investment and Platform sales teams in the UK. In October 2020 Fergus was promoted to Head of UK Wholesale and is responsible for the design and execution of the distribution strategy for the UK Wholesale Investments business. In December 2023 Fergus took over the sales and marketing functions of the abrdn closed end range of Investment Trusts, in addition to his role as Head of UK Wholesale. Fergus started his career with Barclays Global Investors in 1998. Over the last 20 years Fergus has worked in regional, national and senior sales roles for Jupiter Asset Management, Axa Investment Managers, Martin Currie, Investec Asset Management and BNY Mellon Investment Management.
The ABCs of Easing Cycles: Anything But Cash
Presentation summary – 120 words
Explore the shifting macroeconomic landscape and its impact on fixed income markets. With inflation cooling and labour markets stabilizing, central banks are lowering rates to prevent economic weakness. This environment reestablishes bonds as key portfolio hedges and diversifiers. We anticipate a soft landing, with high-quality spread sectors thriving. Investment-grade fundamentals are strong, and high yield offers attractive returns. Emerging markets provide additional yield opportunities, though they remain sensitive to US policy. As central banks ease, cash is expected to underperform, prompting a reallocation into bonds, which will benefit from this shift. Discover how these trends create opportunities in global bonds.
Workshop Objectives: The workshop aims to equip participants with strategies to navigate fixed income opportunities, leveraging macroeconomic trends and central bank policies for effective portfolio diversification and yield enhancement.
Company Profile: J.P. Morgan Asset Management, a global leader in investment management, has been a trusted partner for individuals, families, businesses, and institutions for over a century. Leveraging our extensive global research platform, we provide clear and actionable market insights, helping clients build resilient portfolios through diverse market cycles. Our commitment to identifying unique risks and opportunities sets us apart, enabling us to deliver superior investment solutions. Collaborating closely with clients, partners, and the companies we invest in, we strive to drive outcomes that benefit both present and future generations.
Speakers
Jacob Hegge, CFA
Investment Specialist
Jacob Hegge, is a member of the Global Fixed Income, Currency & Commodities (GFICC) group. Based in London, Jacob is an investment specialist and is responsible for global aggregate and government bond strategies. He is responsible for communicating investment strategy, decisions and performance across various fixed income products to clients, consultants, prospects and internal partners. An employee since 2015, he previously supported the U.S. Broad Markets team in Columbus, OH. Jacob holds a B.A. in economics, Chinese, and Spanish from Kenyon College and is a CFA charterholder.
Representatives
Camilla McKane
Managing Director, UK Funds
Camilla McKane, Managing Director, is a Senior Client Adviser in the UK sales team. She is responsible for ensuring the firm maintains and develops strong relationships with strategic partners in the UK.
Camilla started her career in the industry in 2001 at Wellington Management and joined the firm in 2014 from Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Camilla holds a B.A. in Law from Durham University and has completed the IMC.
Adam Osman
Client Adviser, UK Funds
Adam Osman, Associate, is a Client Adviser within the UK and Middle Eastern J.P. Morgan Asset Management coverage team. He has 9 years of industry and joined J.P Morgan in 2019. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan as help positions a Client Adviser in the Bahamas and as an Analyst at the Bank of England graduate program.
Adam holds a BSc (Joint Hons) in Business and Computer Science, IAD level four Chartered Institute for Securities Diploma and a certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute.
Global Credit – Rebalancing to Alpha from Beta
Within the global bond universe, investment grade bonds continue to look compelling. The asset class benefits from historically compelling yields. Such high yield levels cushion investors from losses and should provide attractive returns relative to cash especially now that we are in a period of synchronized global central bank easing. Supply expectations for global investment bonds are highly manageable, while demand is strong, supported by retail flows out of cash and institutional demand, especially from de-risking defined benefit pension schemes. Lastly fundamentals are strong and should be resilient even in the event of a harder landing.
The tighter spread environment does however mean investors need to refocus on alpha from beta gains and focus increasingly on how strong research and active management can boost returns via security and sector selection.
Workshop Objectives: We explain how active management can continue to thrive in this environment especially as client take a more global approach, unlocking a number of emerging themes in global credit including real estate de-leveraging, auto sector headwinds and consolidation in the European banking sector. We show how we look to empower our experienced global research team in our process to add alpha predominately via security selection.
Company Profile: In 1924, MFS launched the US’ first open-end mutual fund to give everyday investors access to the markets. One hundred years later, as a full-service global investment manager serving financial advisors, intermediaries and institutional clients, we celebrate a century of active management. Tested and refined across market environments, our investing approach combines collective expertise, long-term discipline and thoughtful risk management to create value responsibly for clients. Supported by our culture of shared values and collaboration, our teams of diverse thinkers actively debate ideas and assess material risks to uncover what we believe are the best investment opportunities in the market.
Speakers
Owen Murfin
Institutional Fixed Income Portfolio Manager
Owen Murfin, CFA, is an investment officer and institutional fixed income portfolio manager. He participates in portfolio strategy discussions, customizes portfolios to client objectives and guidelines and communicates portfolio investment strategy and positioning.
Prior to joining MFS in 2017, Owen served as managing director and global fixed income portfolio manager at BlackRock for 15 years. Before that, he worked as an associate and global fixed income portfolio manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management for five years. Owen earned a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honors from University College London. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Representatives
Adam Greenwood
Director – UK, Ireland and Channel Islands
Adam Greenwood is a director for the UK, Ireland and Channel. In this role, he is responsible for supporting the firm's sales efforts in those regions. He is based in London. Adam joined MFS in 2012 and assumed his current role in 2017. His previous experience includes five years as an equity derivatives broker at ICAP and two years at PwC as a tax consultant. Adam received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Liverpool.
Stephanie Harper
Retail Internal Team Lead
Stephanie Harper is a senior sales representative for the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands, she also serves as the retail internal team lead for Europe. In this role, she is responsible for supporting the firm's sales efforts in those regions. Stephanie joined MFS in 2018 and assumed her current role in 2021. Prior to joining MFS, she was a marketing executive at Euromoney Institutional Investor for two years. Stephanie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from the University of Nottingham. She holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) from the CFA UK.
The last 20 years…Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund
The world has got a lot greener and Bryn Jones has got a lot greyer over the 20 years since he took on the Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund. Bryn will show how much has changed over his two decades at the helm of the UK’s largest ethical bond fund. By using a mixture of rigorous fundamental analysis and canny technical trading, Bryn has delivered top-five-ranking performance in the IA Sterling Corporate Bond sector.
It’s hard enough to predict what will happen next week, let alone what will come in the next 20 years! So Bryn will explain how his fund is positioned today and why, with a particular focus on duration. given the uncertain paths of global interest rates.
Workshop Objectives: Understand how active fixed income funds can outperform passives and peers through a solid investment process: how marginal gains of many ideas can add up to outperformance.
Company Profile: Rathbones Asset Management is a UK fund manager, with 15.3 billion AUM*. We offer actively managed equity, fixed income and multi-asset capabilities including a wide range of sustainable strategies for retail and institutional-type investors. Our single-strategy and multi-asset funds are designed to meet investors’ capital growth and income requirements. We believe that we combine the best cultural aspects of an investment boutique with the strengths of a well-resourced parent, Rathbones Group Plc.
*As at 30 June 2024
www.rathbonesam.com
Speakers
Bryn Jones
Head of Fixed Income and Fund Manager
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Bryn is head of fixed income at Rathbones and lead manages the Rathbone Ethical Bond, Rathbone Strategic Bond and Rathbone Greenbank Global Sustainable Bond funds. He joined Rathbones in November 2004 from Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. A member of the Rathbone Strategic Asset Allocation Committee, non-executive chairman of Rathbones' Fixed Income Committee and an adviser to the Rathbones Banking Committee, Bryn also sits on the Investment Association’s Fixed Income Committee.
Representatives
James Crossley
Head of Asset Management Distribution
James has been working in Asset Management for over 25 years and joined Rathbones Asset Management from Legal & General Investment Management in September 2024. James has also held long tenure as Head UK Retail Distribution at Jupiter Asset Management after starting his career in the sector at Invesco in 1999. His role is to manage the distribution teams at Rathbones Asset Management who service Intermediary clients, including financial advisers, wealth managers, banks, platforms, and institutions.
Helen van Heesewijk
Associate Sales Director
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Helen is an Associate Sales Director, responsible for discretionary and institutional sales in London.
She joined Rathbones in 2000, having previously worked at Franklin Templeton, and Murray Johnston, responsible for institutional investment trust shareholder relationships.
Schroder Strategic Bond: The one stop shop for your Fixed Income allocation
The Global Unconstrained Fixed Income team at Schroders employs a probabilistic scenario-based framework and a dynamic, agile approach to portfolio allocation to achieve positive alpha. Led by Julien Houdain, the team combines specialist insight with systematic inputs, drawing upon deep global resources and proprietary research. This methodology enables informed investment decisions across diverse economies and asset classes. The team's collaborative culture and access to Schroders’ extensive global knowledge base enhance their ability to anticipate market trends and adapt swiftly.
A robust risk management framework underpins their strategy, ensuring risk-adjusted returns while also seeking consistent alpha generation from stock selection. Their approach is designed to navigate complex financial environments, bolstering their investment processes and aligning with client objectives.
Workshop Objectives:
1. By the end of the workshop, participants will understand the investment approach of fund managers, analyse decision-making strategies, and evaluate their application to current macroeconomic themes.
2. By the end of the workshop, participants will analyse investment decision-making processes and evaluate how macroeconomic themes can influence portfolio strategy
Speakers
Julien Houdain
Head of Global Unconstrained Fixed Income
Julien Houdain is Head of Global Unconstrained Fixed Income. He runs a number of alpha focused strategies including benchmark relative, total return and income orientated products, combining qualitative forward-looking strategy with quantitative techniques in portfolio construction. He joined Schroders in 2019. Before Schroders, he worked at Legal & General Investment Management, most recently as Head of Global Bond Strategies. Prior to that, Julien held roles in quantitative investment strategy at Fortis Investments and quantitative research at Aurel Leven Securities. Julien holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, and a Master of Research in Applied Mathematics at the University of Paris.
Representatives
Flora Munro
Sales Manager
Flora Munro is a Sales Manager at Schroders, based in London. She joined Schroders in 2017
BSc Economics from the University of Exeter
CFA Charterholder