Conference programme

This session will look at the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on our global investment management industry, including trends in generative AI application. We will also look at:
•    how generative AI influences product development and business models, financial forecasting, risk analysis and other important elements facing our clients; 
•    the impact of AI on us as lawyers, accountants and other industry professionals, such as ethical considerations, business decisions, attorney client privilege; 
•    the effect of AI on the C Suite and on board governance and what is needed to formulate a new set of best practices, including consideration of the Delaware Chancery Court’s decision in Caremark. What internal controls are ‘adequate’ in light of AI.

This Roundtable will explore: 

•    Challenges and opportunities of operating an asset management business across multiple jurisdictions
•    Product development in the current market environment; tensions between active management, passive management and alternative products
•    Fee compression and cost considerations
•    New technologies and efficiencies in operating an asset management firm
•    The roles of compliance, regulation and culture in a global asset management firm

•    Trends in Fund Terms
•    Credit funds and Borrowing Structures for Private Funds
•    GP-Led Secondaries, Continuation Vehicles, and Other Liquidity Solutions
•    BDCs, Private Wealth Feeders, Retail Structures, ELTIFs
•    Specific Asset Classes such as Cryptos, Decarbonization, Healthcare & Royalty, Tech 
      Impact of Regulator and Investor Activity on the Industry

This session will explore: 
•    Valuation of illiquid assets (private assets, digital assets, etc.) – ongoing operational challenges
•    BCM Business Continuity Models for Custodian: increasing regulatory challenges and operational constraints
•    Monitoring of liquidity of fund portfolios in light of new regulatory requirements
•    Operational risks in relation to filing and notification obligations for substantial shareholdings in fund portfolios
•    Pooling and segregation of assets among various funds

Roundtable topic one: Pensions – investment demands
•    Economic and market trends;
•    innovative investment products;
•    technology integration; and
•    regulatory compliance.

Moderators
Felipe Cousiño Alessandri, Santiago
Brendan Curran State Street Global Advisors, Boston, Massachussetts

Roundtable topic two: Offshore jurisdictions
•    Setting the stage: backdrop of macroeconomics, geopolitical and regulatory developments;
•    conventional offshore models;
•    new onshoring and offshoring models in Asia;
•    new opportunities for product design and global structuring solutions;
•    shifting of world economic order: potentially challenging offshoring? and
•    wrap up and any questions.

Moderators
Matt Brehaut  Carey Olsen, Guernsey
Martin Byers  Ogier, Cayman Islands
Frances Watson  Mourant, Guernsey

 Roundtable topic three: Asia (HK/China/SG)
•    Regulation of virtual assets;
•    cross border marketing/capital raising;
•    managing cross border data flows/regulatory requirements;
•    latest developments regarding Chinese investment connect schemes; and
•    regulatory trends/enforcement.

Moderators
Ron Cheng  Drew & Napier, Singapore
Jeremy Lam  Deacons, Hong Kong SAR
Sandra Lu  LLinks,  Shanghai

Roundtable topic four: ETFs passive/active (trends in ETF manufacturing strategies)
•    What are the trends in exchange-traded fund (ETF) manufacturing strategies?
•    regulatory considerations for actively managed ETFs;
•    where ETFs and mutual funds combine – global developments in structuring and distribution; and
•    how does digitalszation change the operations of ETFs?

Moderators
Mike Mundt Stradley Ronon, Washington DC
Matthias Liermann DWS Investment GmbH, Frankfurt
Anthony Rochte Morgan Stanley, New York

This sessions will explore:
•    Reconciling new and changing ESG regulations across jurisdictions
•    Challenges of client and investor expectations as to ESG and sustainability in investment products
•    Approaches to disclosures (prospectuses, websites, RFP responses, regulatory filings) relating to ESG and sustainability
•    Different shades of green: managing different types of ESG and sustainable investing strategies across products
•    Compliance programs and managing ESG risks on a practical level
•    Conflicts of interest, fiduciary duties and membership in ESG/sustainable investing frameworks

Marc Chandler, a widely respected and often quoted currency expert who has been analysing and advising on the global capital markets for more than 30 years, will discuss the following themes in his keynote address:
•    the end of the post-covid-19 monetary tightening cycle;
•    the outlook for the US dollar and de-dollarisation;
•    global risks/fragmentation;
•    geopolitics; and 
•    challenges to development.

As a keen observer of the interconnection of international politics and economics, Marc appears frequently in the financial press and radio – CNBC, CNBC Asia FOX Business, Bloomberg TV, Barron’s, The Financial Times, The Washington Post and more – where he provides his colourful take on the global financial and economic news.

•    How are asset managers managing enterprise-wide compliance and enforcement risks in a complex world?
•    Is so-called ‘regulation by enforcement’ a global trend?
•    What are the top-of-mind compliance/enforcement issues and risk factors driving compliance agendas?
•    How are AI systems and technology supporting operational compliance and creating new enforcement challenges? 

This session will explore: 
•    the origin of the value for money regime; 
•    UK consumer duty;
•    EU retail investment strategy: where are we now? and
•    adapting and adopting a rule 15(c) and/or UK approach for EU funds.