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Anna Leach
Anna is Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors and has held this role since June 2024. She also sits on the steering committee for the Royal Economic Society Women in Economics Network, which seeks to support the career development of women in economics, where she’s responsible for partnerships. Before joining the IoD, Anna was Deputy Chief Economist at the CBI, leading workstreams across macroeconomics, surveys and consulting and she has also worked in the Government Economic Service, in HM Treasury and DWP.
Presentations
Workshops
Green Bonds: Powering the Future
As AI accelerates, the real bottleneck lies in power generation. Meeting future energy demands will require a shift toward renewables, which remain the most economical and scalable option. Green bonds are poised to play a pivotal role in financing this transition, enabling infrastructure that supports both AI growth and climate goals. Interestingly, the rise of anti-ESG sentiment has forced sustainability to evolve beyond virtue signalling, driving a more comprehensive market-based approach. Meanwhile, China’s record coal expansion underscores the urgency for global decarbonization. Green bonds offer a strategic counterbalance, channelling capital into clean energy projects that align with long-term economic and environmental resilience.
Workshop Objectives:
- Delegates will examine how Sustainable Fixed Income can contribute to meeting global energy demands.
- Delegates will explore key emerging trends likely to shape this sector in the near future.
Company Profile:
Headquartered in Japan with global presence, Amova Asset Management is a leading asset manager and progressive investment solutions provider, driven by the promise to help you progress towards your goals.
Our clients include institutional investors, intermediary, and individual investors. We provide tailored solutions that instil confidence and support your long-term goals in an evolving investment landscape.
We combine:
More than 65 years of commitment to performance excellence with USD260.3 billion* in assets under management
A global network of investment teams and partners—supported by over 200 investment professionals and an extensive network of distributors across 10 countries and regions (as of 1 July 2025)
High-conviction, active fund management across Equity, Fixed Income, Multi-Asset, and Alternative strategies
A diverse suite of passive strategies covering a wide range of indices and some of Asia’s leading exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
Investor focus and genuine partnership rooted in trust, transparency, and high standards of client care
We are committed to creating lasting value through responsible decisions that support our clients, partners, and broader community. This shared mission—shaping a brighter future together with our stakeholders—is at the heart of who we are.
Amova Asset Management, a proud member of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group.
* as of 30 June 2025
Speakers
Steve Williams
Head of Global Fixed Income
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Steve Williams is Head of Global Fixed Income at Amova Asset Management. Steve has managed Amova AM’s flagship Global Green Bond fund since 2015. Additionally, he serves as a generalist portfolio manager with oversight for Amova AM's investment grade, municipal, green bond, global mortgages and global bond business, as well as credit research.
With over 20 years industry experience, Steve has been with Amova AM since 2007. Prior to joining Amova AM, he served as a Credit Research Analyst with New York Life Investment Management, specialising in corporate bonds and structured finance.
Steve holds an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, he received his undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, and is also a certified FRM.
Representatives
Tim Lord
Business Development Director
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Tim joined Amova Asset Management in November 2015, in the position of Head of Client Services for the EMEA region, based in London. Tim was then appointed Business Development Director with responsibility for Sales and Marketing activities in the Middle East & Africa in 2017, operating out of the London office. Before Amova AM, Tim was Global Head of Relationship Development and Client Service at Baring Asset Management with a focus on institutional clients.
Jack Lecompte
EMEA Sales Support & Marketing
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Jack joined Amova Asset Management in October 2020 as a Marketing intern, based in London. Jack subsequently joined the EMEA Sales team in 2022 supporting the London-based Sales Directors covering the Middle East and the UK & Ireland. Jack holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Bristol and has achieved the IMC qualification from the CFA UK.
Japanese equities: Staying the course in the choppy waters
We will discuss how, despite the significant challenges presented by the worsening global economic climate, Japanese equities are poised to continue being an attractive investment option. Both fundamentals and continuing corporate governance reforms still have considerable potential for the upside, particularly in the undervalue part of the market. Further, we will demonstrate how Research Value investment strategy is well positioned to take advantage of this environment.
Workshop Objective:
Hear from Japanese market leader Asset Management One on the trends impacting Asia’s largest developed market – return of inflation, monetary policy normalisation, TSE initiative. The workshop will also introduce AM One’s Japan Value Equity Portfolio.
Company Profile:
Headquartered in Tokyo, Asset Management One Co., Ltd is one of the leading Japanese asset managers offering Japanese, Asian and Global investment strategies to some of the world’s largest institutional, wholesale and corporate asset owners. As of Q2 2025, the firm’s assets under management were $489bn.
The current day company traces its investing legacy back over 90 years to the last century. The group’s experience and Asian-focused perspective offers crucial insights into understanding the nuances of opportunities and challenges not only within Japan, but also across global markets.
Speakers
Oleg Kapinos
Product Specialist
Oleg is an investment professional specialising in Japanese and Asian markets with close to two decades of experience. Currently heading Global Distribution Strategy at Asset Management One International in London, he previously served as Senior Product Specialist at Tokio Marine Asset Management. His expertise spans Japanese equities, alternative investments, and cross-border business development between East and West. Oleg is a Hitotsubashi University graduate, CAIA charter holder, and fluent Japanese speaker.
Representatives
Sarojini Ramachandran
Director, EMEA
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Sarojini Ramachandran is Director, EMEA, at Asset Management One International, based in London. Prior to joining AMO, Sarojini worked as co-head of Distribution at Stewart Investors and Head of UK/U.S distribution at White Oak Capital. Sarojini has over 20 years expertise in capital markets, previously as Head of Sales in Institutional Equities at Ambit Capital/Panmure Gordon.
Next-Generation UK REITs: A Source of Reliable Income
Matthew Norris will discuss the benefits of having exposure to a portfolio of best-in-class REITs which own modern real estate assets generating growing rents and reliable income benefiting from four structural mega trends: ageing population, generation rent, digitalisation and urbanisation. In what has been a noteworthy year for UK REITs, with a surge in M&A activity, Matthew will go back to basics, examining the catalysts for the increased activity and why the positivity around specialist UK REITs is here to stay.
Workshop Objective:
Delegates will examine the potential benefits of having exposure to REITs within a portfolio and analyse the current backdrop for, and anticipated outlook of the listed property sector.
Company Profile:
The Gravis approach to fund management is perfectly depicted by the company’s tortoise logo: slow, steady and consistent. We specialise in Funds that do something a little different, providing investors with exposure to the more stable and predictable side of many of today’s exciting themes. This results in steady growth and reliable, long-term income from sectors such as infrastructure, specialist real estate and clean energy.
Speakers
Matthew Norris
Fund Manager, Managing Director of Real Estate Securities
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Matthew is the lead manager to the VT Gravis UK Listed Property Fund and the VT Gravis Digital Infrastructure Income Fund. He has more than two decades investment management experience and has a specialist focus on real estate securities.
He served as an Executive Director of Grosvenor Europe where he was responsible for global real estate securities strategies.
Matthew holds a BA (Hons) degree in Economics & Politics from the University of York, the Investment Management Certificate and is a CFA charterholder.
He regularly participates in industry panel discussions on real estate trends and investment strategies.
Representatives
Cameron Gardner
Director, Head of Distribution
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Cameron is a Director at Gravis and is Head of Distribution. She is a member of the Responsible Investment Committee.
She joined Gravis in April 2019 from Neptune Investment Management, where she was responsible for covering the Southwest, Midlands and Wales. Prior to that Cameron worked at Ardevora Asset Management where she supported the Head of Institutional clients.
Cameron graduated with a degree in Geography from the University of Cambridge and holds the Investment Management Certificate
Jason Anderson
Head of London Sales
Jason has vast experience covering intermediaries and wealth managers across London and the South of England.
After starting his career at Fidelity, Jason moved to Threadneedle where he spent 7 years covering the intermediary market in London and the South East. Jason then returned to Fidelity before he moved to Thames River Capital to help launch the retail Multi-Asset business. Following the acquisition by F&C and then BMO, Jason headed up the Southern Sales Team.
Jason has a degree in Economics and Geography from the University of Portsmouth. He also holds the Investment Management Certificate.
Asia is the future again – how the region’s new industries can power its next stage of growth
Whether it’s DeepSeek’s low-cost AI model, or Chinese EV brands taking Europe by storm, it’s clear that China’s technological mastery is disrupting high-tech industries.
Discover how Asia’s new industries, its swelling middle class, and the strengthening of trade ties within the region are creating investment opportunities – and how your clients can benefit.
Join Guinness Global Investors’ portfolio managers as they present Asia Is the Future Again – how the region’s new industries can power its next stage of growth
Workshop Objective:
To highlight how Asia’s technological innovation, rising consumer demand, and regional trade growth are creating powerful investment opportunities, and to equip participants with strategies to help their clients benefit.
Company Profile:
Guinness Global Investors was established in 2003 by founder and chairman Tim Guinness. Its specialist disciplines of equity income, energy, innovation and Asia offer exposure to key themes to help investors achieve their investment goals. Its in-house economic, industry and company research allows it to take an independent view and not be led by the market. Its size and specialist nature also enables it to respond quickly and efficiently to market movements. It incorporates ESG factors into all its equity strategies and embraces the stewardship responsibilities which it assumes as an investment manager. Active management, high conviction and identifying value are the central pillars of its philosophy and they are delivered in the form of concentrated, equally weighted portfolios.
Speakers
Edmund Harriss
Portfolio Manager
Edmund is head of Asian & Emerging Market investments, serves as a director on the board of Guinness Global Investors and is Chief Investment Officer. Edmund has managed the Guinness Best of Asia strategy since 2003 and the Guinness Asian Equity Income strategy since its inception in 2006.
Prior to Guinness in 2023 Edmund worked for ten years from 1993 for Guinness Flight, which became Investec after the merger in 1998. After joining the Far East Investment Desk in 1994, he served as a member of the investment team managing the China & Hong Kong Fund (now the Guinness Atkinson China & Hong Kong Fund, for US investors). He moved to Hong Kong and became the Fund’s lead manager in 1998.
Representatives
Rupert Bonsor
Rupert is responsible for Family Offices and wealth managers for Guinness Global Investors. Prior to joining Guinness in 2020, Rupert worked at New Star Asset Management, Crux, Premier and Jupiter Asset Management.
Unlocking Value in Private Markets
With public markets trading near all-time highs, investors may be looking for opportunities in “unloved” areas that have not yet participated in the recovery. In this presentation, Richard Hickman, HarbourVest Managing Director, sheds some light on how investors can access value opportunities in private markets through a listed structure.
Workshop Objectives:
Value Opportunity: Exploring value opportunities in private markets during public market highs.
Listed Private Equity Funds: Providing private equity potential, with public market convenience.
Benefits of Diversification: With 25 times more companies held privately than publicly, examine the benefits private market exposure can deliver to your portfolio
Company Profile:
HarbourVest Global Private Equity (HVPE) is a listed investment company that provides investors with access to private company investments. Listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, HVPE sits in the FTSE 250 and has net assets of $4.1 billion and a market capitalisation of approximately £2.0 billion as at 31 July 2025. HVPE invests exclusively in HarbourVest managed funds. HarbourVest Partners is an independent, global private markets asset manager with over 43 years of experience.
Speakers
Richard Hickman
Managing Director, HVPE
Richard Hickman joined HarbourVest in 2014 to focus on the activities of HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited (HVPE), a closed-end investment company that invests in and alongside HarbourVest-managed funds. Richard is responsible for the day-to-day management of the company. He joined HarbourVest after seven years with 3i plc, where he progressed through a number of roles, latterly serving as a manager in the business planning and analysis group.
Representatives
Stephanie Hocking
Head of Investor Relations and Communications
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Stephanie Hocking is the Head of Investor Relations and Communications at HVPE. Having joined in 2024, Stephanie is responsible for HVPE's investor relations function, and in addition oversees the wider marketing, public relations, and communications efforts for HVPE. Prior to joining HVPE, Stephanie was a Director, Investors Relations and Sales at abrdn, and a Vice President at Allianz Global Investors. Stephanie holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC).
Fund Group Workshop - UK, European and Global value
Company Profile:
We are a leading provider of active asset management, advisory and wealth management services. Recognised as a leader in sustainability. Few investment managers can match the combination of capabilities and global reach that we offer. We are responsible for over £777 billion (as at 30.06.2025) of assets for our clients and we operate in 38 locations with over 5,800 employees.
Our breadth of services across public and private markets allows us to design distinctive solutions for the diverse needs of clients. They look to us to provide excellent long-term investment outcomes, and it is our duty always to act in their best interests. That is a responsibility we take seriously – and we believe that when we succeed for clients, society and the wider world benefit too.
To find out more about Schroders and our latest insights, visit www.schroders.com
Speakers
Simon Adler
Fund Manager and Head of Schroders Global Value Team
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Simon Adler is a fund manager and head of Schroders Global Value team who manage income, recovery and sustainable strategies across four geographies: UK, European, Global and Emerging Markets. Simon co-manages Global Recovery, Global Income and Global Sustainable Value strategies. He joined the Global Value team in July 2016 to manage portfolios. His investment career commenced in 2008 at Schroders as a UK equity analyst. He was previously sector analyst responsible for Chemicals, Media, Transport, Travel & Leisure and Utilities. He was a Global Sustainability Specialist in Global Equity team until 2016. Qualifications: CFA Charterholder; MA in Politics, Edinburgh University
Representatives
Sam Gold
Head of London and Wealth
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Sam joined Schroders in 2000 and has held a number of key positions within the UK Retail Sales Team, including Head of Broker Liaison and Head of Business Development – Investment Trusts. In 2006, Sam moved to a role within business development asset manager sales, with responsibility for clients in London and in December 2016 she moved into her role as Head of Intermediary Business Development, London
Stephen Green
Sales Director
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Stephen Green is a Sales Director at Schroders, where he manages client relationships with predominantly London-based advisers. He joined Schroders in 2011 and is based in London. Stephen was the Head of Collective Investments (IFA and Partnership) at Aviva Investors from 2007 to 2009, which involved developing the national sales strategy for the channel. This included national