CFA UK

In this episode of CFA UK's In Conversation podcast, Jim Totty, CFA, speaks with Jack Chellman, Chief Project Officer at the Global Returns Project, about the role of philanthropy in sustainable finance. Jack and Jim discuss how financial institutions can integrate philanthropic donations into client offerings and investment products, enhance ESG strategies, and deliver fast, measurable impact. With less than 2% of global philanthropic capital going to climate mitigation, Jack argues for normalising environmental giving across the financial ecosystem. The CFA UK Sustainability Community is buzzing with daily discussions, virtual meet-ups, and in-person gatherings, offering numerous opportunities for you to get involved. Our Community is a virtual and in-person hub for investment professionals to grow together as sustainable investing experts. This is the go-to place for sustainable investing knowledge, resources and contacts. You can post questions on our forum, connect with other members online and join an informal catch up in the pub. For more information on the Sustainability Community and how to join, click here: shorturl.at/drsHV

In this episode, Olivia Wingrove, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager at LGT Wealth Management, and IMC holder, sits down with Pia Farooq, a fellow IMC holder, to discuss their journeys into the investment industry. Pia and Olivia explore the importance of the IMC qualification, its role as a precursor to the CFA, and how it helps build a strong foundation for a career in finance. Pia also shares her insights into balancing work, study, and personal life, and valuable tips for those considering the IMC or CFA. Discover more about the IMC today: https://tinyurl.com/pff9d5ff

How does crypto fit into institutional portfolios? In this episode, Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA, sit down with Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise Asset Management, to explore the institutionalisation of digital assets. Matt, Ben, and Tom explore how crypto began as from a frontier technology to something gaining institutional adoption, alongside the implications of recent regulatory shifts in the US. Matt also looks at the separation between Bitcoin and programmable blockchains like Ethereum, and the emergence of decentralised finance (DeFi), before outlining a framework for crypto asset allocation within diversified portfolios, and discusses the macroeconomic backdrop shaping digital asset adoption. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are personal opinions and do not represent CFA UK. This content does not constitute financial advice.

In this sponsored episode of In Conversation, Chris Ware, CFA, sits down with Edoardo Gili, CFA, Senior Analyst at Green Street, to explore the evolving landscape of real estate investment. From the shifting dynamics of REITs to the integration of infrastructure and real assets, this conversation offers deep insights for investment professionals navigating today’s market. Examining real estate’s evolution into a more operationally intensive asset class and the active management requirements that come with it, Chris and Edoardo explore the distinctions between public REITs and private real estate markets. Together, they look at their long-term performance convergence and the importance of risk-adjusted returns. Edoardo and Chris also discuss the global valuation trends regarding real estate, the performance of REITs in the US compared with Europe and the UK, M&A activity in REITs, and how rising development costs coupled with stricter lending criteria are reshaping the development landscape. An extended discussion between Edoardo and Chris on real estate sectors is also available on CFA UK’s Professional Learning platform: https://www.cfauk.org/careers-and-cpd/resources/real-estate-sectors-data-development-and-investor-appeal DISCLAIMER: This podcast does NOT constitute investment advice nor is it provided in the capacity of a fiduciary. Visit www.greenstreet.com/disclosure for important information. About Green Street Green Street is the leading provider of actionable real assets research, news, data, analytics, and advisory services in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. For 40 years, Green Street has delivered unparalleled intelligence and trusted data on the public and private real estate markets, helping investors, banks, lenders, and other industry participants optimise investment and strategic decisions. The firm delivers exclusive market information, conclusion-driven insights, and predictive analytics through a SaaS platform. To learn more, please visit www.greenstreet.com. More about Green Street: https://greenstreet.com/?utm_source=cfauk&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=brandawareness&utm_term=green-street&utm_content=cfa-website

In this episode, JC Valer, Lecturer at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Visiting Academic at the University of Oxford, speaks to Debbie Clarke, Non-Executive Director at BlackRock Group Limited, discussthe ethical challenges that come with conflicts of interest and operating with integrity. Examining case studies around transparency, ethical guardrails, and the fine line separating acceptable hospitality from potential conflicts of interest, Debbie emphasises the need for an ethical lens in decision-making and maintaining integrity throughout your career. This podcast is part of a series of ethics discussions, the rest of which are available on CFA UK’s Professional Learning platform: https://www.cfauk.org/careers-and-cpd/resources/ethics-and-professionalism

In this episode, Kelsey Su, CFA, Sales Operations Manager, Dahua UK & Ireland, talks to Dr Mandy Lehto, executive coach, and host of ‘Enough, the Podcast,’ to talk about workplace overwhelm. Mandy draws from her own high-pressure background and coaching career to share her insight in recognising the signs of overwhelm, the physical and mental toll of sustained stress – and how to begin reclaiming balance. During the episode, Mandy recommends listeners to read “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World” by Anne-Lorraine Le Cunf: https://shorturl.at/U91nF

In this episode, John Teahan, Portfolio Manager at Redwheel, interviews Karina Litvak, Non-Executive Director at Terna S.p.A, and prominent figure in climate governance and sustainability. Karina and John discuss her journey from finance to board roles, and the challenges of implementing climate action amid complex corporate governance. In particular, John and Karina look at the impact of COP21 in shaping corporate climate commitments. Karina and John discuss the dynamics of stakeholder engagement from a board member perspective. The conversation also explores the importance of understanding both production and demand in the energy sector, the role of the Climate Governance Initiative, and the need for resilience in energy grids as the world transitions to a more sustainable future.

In this episode, Arantxa Sardina, Corporate Sponsorship & Stakeholder Manager at GAIN UK, speaks with Hitesh Dattani, Director of Grey Matter Jobs, about the growing importance of age diversity in today’s workforce. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in asset management, Hitesh shares what inspired him to launch a recruitment platform dedicated to championing age-inclusive hiring. Together, Arantxa and Hitesh explore how connecting experienced job seekers with forward-thinking employers can foster more dynamic and inclusive workplaces. They also delve into the entrepreneurial journey—highlighting the resilience, strategic planning, and mindset required to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman joins Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA, to shed light on the unparalleled volatility and policy upheavals reshaping today’s economic landscape. With the United States leading the charge towards increased protectionism, Paul highlights the staggering rise in US tariffs, which have surged from an average of 3% to around 15%. Paul, Ben, and Tom also discuss their perspectives on cryptocurrency and stablecoins, evaluating its legitimacy and utility in the current financial system, and examining what might come after the dollar in today’s unprecedented world. An extended version of this conversation is available for our members. To watch Paul, Ben, and Tom discuss the immediate impact of tariffs and protectionist policies (including deportation orders) on the US economy and dollar, China’s economic challenges and how they compare to Japan in the 1990s, and whether Paul sees any positives to the tariffs, members can watch the extended conversation here: https://www.cfauk.org/careers-and-cpd/resources/nobel-laureate-economist-paul-krugman-on-navigating-uncertainty-in-the-global-economy

In this episode, James Dolman, CFA, Director of Alium Dolman Limited, interviews Saffron Hill, CFA, Management Consulting Associate at AlixPartners. Saffron discusses her career journey in the investment industry, from taking the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) as part of her employee training, to using the skills, knowledge, and disciplines she gained to move into the next stage of her career. Not one to stop there, Saffron has since gained her CFA, and closes off the episode with some foundational advice to anyone on a similar path. Visit cfauk.org/imc to see how you can transforms your career and turn your potential into progression.