CFA UK

Sarah Clawson is Head of Global Investor Relations at New Forests, the global investment manager of nature based real assets and natural capital strategies. In CFA UK’s ‘In Conversation Podcast’, Clawson talked to Maha Khan Phillips about how forestry has evolved as an asset class, and key considerations for investment.

In this episode of the In Conversation podcast series Monica Dong, Regulatory Lead at Citi and a member of CFA UK’s Ethics Committee sits down with Rhodri Preece, CFA to discuss the ethical considerations regarding the use of AI in investment Management. They explore how AI is being used across the industry, as well as the opportunities and challenges around AI.

In part two of our latest Climate Change podcast episode, Tom Gosling, Executive Fellow, London Business School and John Teahan, CFA continue the conversation by discussing Tom’s two blogs on the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and the clash that developed over commitments made under that umbrella body. Tom explains that the overarching commitments made by GFANZ to limit global warming to 1.5C, which scientists claim is almost impossible. This creates limitations for asset managers who must now quickly energise the transition at the portfolio level to support climate solutions and policy. He discusses whether 1.5C is an optimal target for investors, whether portfolio decarbonisation has a tangible real-world impact, and the implications of these targets on future market trends. Does this mean that asset managers are being forced to hit unreasonable targets? And are we inhibiting government action by doing so? Explore the conversation by listening today.

In part one of our latest Climate Change podcast episode, Tom Gosling, Executive Fellow, London Business School and John Teahan, CFA discuss Tom’s work assessing evidence underpinning sustainability research. They consider non-financial issues, within the context of our fiduciary duty, as stewards of our client’s capital. Tom has researched and written extensively on subjects such as pay, corporate governance, sustainable investing, stakeholder capitalism, and climate. His curiosity in these issues grew from a personal commitment to reduce his own carbon footprint by 50% by 2025. In this podcast, Tom explores how the corporate governance system and the interaction between investors and companies either support or inhibit the wider societal changes we need to make. Discover whether there is pressure to only focus on the positives of ESG, and consider examples of impact from companies like Sainsbury’s. Listen to Tom’s story and his findings to learn more about these issues.

In this episode Alan Livsey, CFA, LEX Editor at the Financial Times chats with Alberto Gallo, CFA, CIO & Co-founder of Andromeda Capital Management. They discuss the dramatic shift in perceptions towards inflation and interest rates and what that means for the markets. Together they endeavour to predict the answers to the following questions: • Has the multi-decade bull market paused, or ended? • Will central banks have to hike even higher next year? • What will that mean for the job and credit market across the world? • Has the worst passed for the UK gilt market? • Looking at global economies currently, what can we expect to see in 2023?

Tatjana Puhan is Deputy Chief Investment Officer at TOBAM, which became the first European asset manager to launch a Bitcoin fund in Europe in 2017. For CFA UK’s ‘In Conversation’ Podcast, Puhan talked to Maha Khan Phillips about sustainability and cryptocurrencies, technological innovation, and what the future may hold in a blockchain world.

Professor Raghu Rau is the Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Professor of Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School. In CFA UK’s ‘In Conversation’ Podcast, Rau talked to Maha Khan Phillips about a study that examines how traumatic childhood events can go on to impact a fund manager’s investment performance decades later.

Today, 18 October, is World Menopause Day. For too long menopause has been an under-discussed, and underfunded area of women’s health, and because of this there is a fundamental societal misunderstanding of the impact it has on women. David Clarke, CFA chats with Victoria McLean, CEO, City CV about the symptoms of menopause and ways business can adapt to create a menopause friendly workplace.

In this episode of the In Conversation podcast series Lisa Lewin, CFA, is joined by Alisa Grafton, Author and practising Scrivener Notary and partner to discuss the art of networking. She will explain how to build authentic relationships based on her four-point approach. Alisa argues that the most effective networking is when you approach it first as an opportunity to ‘give’ rather than looking for what you will ‘receive’. Then, Alisa shares a few ways in which you can start to create deeper relationships despite the lack of interaction in a virtual networking setting. Alisa will dig deeper into the art of networking at her talk on Tuesday 01 November 18:30 - 20:30 in London. Book your place by registering for our portal and signing up here https://www.cfauk.org/events/the-art-of-networking#gsc.tab=0

In a new episode of our Climate Change podcast, Vishal Hindocha, CFA, Global Head of Sustainability Strategy, MFS and John Teahan, CFA give us an insight to their conversations over coffee about climate, and the role of the investor in Net Zero. Vish highlights the importance of education and knowledge sharing with clients, especially in a time where best practice is yet to emerge, and the climate science is constantly evolving. During their discussion Vish talks about his involvement with NZAM (Net Zero Asset Management), a collaboration between asset managers who agree there is not one way forward but however they are committed to sharing insights that are not prescriptive but and galvanise change. He discusses the challenges companies face with meeting climate targets whilst manging risk and returns and dealing with markets where climate-related issues become political.