IA Annual Conference 2024

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• NON-MEMBER: £295.00 + VAT

Our largest flagship event of the year, the IA Annual Conference will take place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel St Pauls in central London on Wednesday 05 June 2024.

Our theme for the conference is “Preparing for tomorrow: Resilience, Adaptation, and Transformation in Investment Management".

Against the backdrop of persistently high-interest rates, inflationary pressures, and a busy electoral calendar, 2024 is a year of significant challenge for the investment management industry.

This year’s conference will encourage participants to consider how firms can be more resilient in the face of economic uncertainty, adapt quickly and effectively to regulatory change, and harness the transformative effect of technology and innovation in our industry.

With keynote speeches from leading industry figures at the global, regional, and domestic levels, this year’s conference will also provide a platform for up to 800 participants from across the industry to exchange knowledge, insights, and experiences and network with colleagues, policymakers, and regulators alike.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Nikhil Rathi, CEO, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Christopher Davis, Head of Asset Management Supervision, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Antonio Barattelli, Head of Investment Management Unit, European Securities and Markets Authority
• Sarah ten Siethoff, Deputy Director of the Division of Investment Management and Associate Director for the Rulemaking Office
• Sarah de Lagarde, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Janus Henderson Investors
• Michelle Scrimgeour, Chief Executive Officer, Legal & General Investment Management
• John McCareins, Head of International and of EMEA, Northern Trust
• Ann Prendergast, Head of EMEA, State Street Global Advisors

and many more speakers to be announced....

Following the huge success of last year's event, we will again have exhibitors from across the industry showcasing their products and services, you'll have the opportunity to engage with them throughout the day.

This 'must attend' annual industry event is simply unmissable, so we look forward to seeing you there.

08:00 Registrations and Breakfast

09:30 Opening remarks

Chris Cummings, Chief Executive, The Investment Association

09:45 Keynote: Insight into the Industry - Presentation by Boston Consulting Group

Dean Frankle, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group

10:00 Engine Innovator - Cohort 7

10:05 Panel One - Leading through times of uncertainty

Moderator - Chris Cummings, Chief Executive Officer, The Investment Association

• Michelle Scrimgeour, Chief Executive Officer, Legal & General Investment Management
• John McCareins, Head of International and of EMEA, Northern Trust
• Ann Prendergast, Head of EMEA, State Street Global Advisors
• Mark FitzPatrick, Chief Executive Officer, St. James's Place

Amid a period of sustained economic and political uncertainty, how will the investment management industry navigate its way to continued success? In this session, leading CEOs from across the industry will debate the opportunities for the year ahead and how they see the industry tackling challenges arising from the arrival of new tech, geopolitical competition, and a more protectionist approach to regulating financial services. In this session, we will explore:

• How is the investment industry responding to the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world, such as digital transformation, ESG integration, and regulatory change?
• What are the best practices and lessons learned in terms of building operational resilience in member firms and how have key players been amending their portfolios?
• What are the key thematic issues that will shape the future of the investment industry in the year ahead, such as innovation, diversity, inclusion, and social impact?
• How can the investment industry collaborate and engage with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders against the backdrop of major elections in the UK, EU, and US?

10:50 Networking break

11:20 Engine Innovator - Cohort 7

11:25 Keynote

Nikhil Rathi, CEO, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

11:40 Panel Two – Understanding Attitudes to Investing & Diversifying the Investor Base

Moderator – Karis Stander, Director of Culture, Talent and Inclusion, The Investment Association

• Maike Currie, Head of Marketing Campaigns & Content, Hargreaves Lansdown
• Holly Mackay, Founder and CEO, Boring Money
• Miranda Seath, Director, Market Insight & Fund Sectors, The Investment Association

Engaging a broader cross-section of society in investing is essential in helping people to meet their life goals from buying their first home to living comfortably in retirement. It is also beneficial for investment managers as we work to drive better investment outcomes and extend our reach. Women are generating wealth at a faster rate than ever before, and understanding the drivers of their investment decisions can help us to better engage and diversify the investor base. Similarly, fostering a positive and healthy relationship with investing among younger generations is crucial. In this session, we will draw on recent research to share insights into the behaviours and attitudes of different investor groups and discuss how the industry can adapt to be more appealing to them.

We will explore:

• Insights into what drives women to invest, with findings from Hargreaves Lansdown’s recent research, ‘Why Women Invest’.
• What we know about young people's investment habits and their views on investing
• The role of 'finfluencers' in bridging the information gap and how the industry can do more to guide and educate investors.
• Are there similarities in the barriers faced by women and young people when it comes to investing, and what lessons can be learned?
• The appeal of crypto as a gateway to investing and who it attracts.

12:25 Personal Resilience: A conversation with Sarah de Lagarde

• Moderator - Karen Northey, Director of Corporate Affairs, The Investment Association
• Sarah de Lagarde, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Janus Henderson Investors

12:40 Networking Lunch

13:40 Engine Innovator - Cohort 7

13:45 Keynote Presentation on Macroeconomic Outlook

Stephanie Flanders, Head of Economics and Government, Bloomberg News 

14:00 Panel Three - Adapting to the Regulatory Agenda

Moderator - Galina Dimitrova, Director of Investment and Capital Markets, The IA

• Christopher Davis, Head of Asset Management Supervision, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - (UK)
• Antonio Barattelli, Head of Investment Management Unit, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) - (EU)
• Sarah ten Siethoff, Deputy Director of the Division of Investment Management and Associate Director for the Rulemaking Office, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - (US)
• Raza Naeem, Partner, Linklaters LLP

As the investment landscape continues to evolve globally, regulatory authorities in the UK, US, and EU find themselves at the forefront of critical decisions for our industry. The emergence of new technologies, innovative products, and evolving business models presents both challenges and opportunities. In this panel discussion, leading representatives from the FCA, SEC, and ESMA delve into:

• How the regulatory authorities from the UK and US are adapting to the evolving landscape of the investment industry, such as the emergence of new technologies, products, and business models.
• What are the main challenges and priorities for the regulators in ensuring the stability, integrity, and efficiency of the investment markets and protecting investors and consumers.
• What are the opportunities and benefits of cross-border cooperation and coordination, especially in areas such as data sharing, supervision, enforcement, and standard setting.
• How to foster a dialogue and partnership with the investment industry and other stakeholders to promote innovation, competition, and inclusion in the investment sector.

14:45 Networking break

15:15 Engine Innovator - Cohort 7

15:20 Panel Four - The General Election: a view from insiders
With less than a month to go until polling day, a panel of insiders will take us through what to expect between now and polling day, and what it means for the nation. Our panel draws on insiders from journalism, polling, and the political parties themselves to dig behind the headlines. 

16:00 Engine Innovator - Cohort 7

16:05 Panel Five - Innovative Investment: Harnessing Technology for Tomorrow's Investors & Markets

Moderator: Jonathan Lipkin, Director of Policy, Strategy, and Innovation, The Investment Association

• Russell Barlow, Global Head of Multi-Asset and Alternative Investment Solutions, abrdn
• Nasreen Kasenally, UK CEO Asset Management., UBS Asset Management
• Rima Varsy, Head of Investments Technology, Europe, Vanguard
• David Newns, Head SIX Digital Exchange, Six Group

From DLT and tokenisation to genAI and space satellite data, innovation is reshaping the investment management industry. Our panel looks into the drivers and barriers for investment managers as they navigate the digital revolution. We explore the implications—both promising and perilous—of new technology and changing investor requirements, including:

• How are technological innovation and transformation reshaping the investment management industry?
• What are the key drivers and barriers for investment managers to leverage technology in their operations, strategies, and products?
• What are the implications and risks of technology for investment managers, such as cybersecurity, data privacy, ethical issues, and regulatory compliance?
• How can investment managers foster a culture and mindset of innovation and transformation in their organisations, as well as collaborate and learn from other industries and sectors?
• How can technology help provide a more effective and personalised experience for the investors of tomorrow?

16:50 Closing remarks

Chris Cummings, Chief Executive, The Investment Association

17:00 Networking drinks

18:00 Close

For all sponsorship and exhibitor enquiries, please contact Events@theia.org

Have a look at our partnership opportunities and get in touch to start a conversation. 

In order of appearance: 

Chris Cummings, Chief Executive, The Investment Association
Chris Cummings is the Chief Executive of The Investment Association, a post he has held since September 2016. The Investment Association is the trade body that represents UK-based investment managers.

He is a member of HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce, and was a founding member of its Financial Services Trade & Investment Board. He serves on the Chancellor’s Financial Services Industry Advisory Group and Department for International Trade’s Financial Services Trade Advisory Group. He is a Board member on EFAMA, the European trade association for investment management and is Chairman of IIFA, the international association for investment management. He is also a Chair of Just Finance Foundation.

He was previously a member of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Regulatory Decisions Committee, a Settlement Decision Maker for the Payment Services Regulator. He served on the Foreign & Commonwealth’s Diplomatic Excellence Panel.

Before joining The Investment Association he was the founding CEO of TheCityUK, held senior posts in banking, insurance and consulting with major global firms. He is a regular columnist, commentator and speaker on issues of international competitiveness and regulation in financial services.

Dean Frankle, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Dean Frankle is Boston Consulting Group’s Lead for Asset and Wealth Management in Western Europe, South America, and Africa. Dean is also responsible for BCG’s Global Asset Management publications worldwide and has been recognized by Financial News as one of their Rising Stars of Asset Management for 2019. Dean is a core member of the firm’s Financial Institutions practice and also has extensive project experience in retail banking. He has led numerous projects in corporate strategy, organizational design, operations, and IT. He works mostly with clients in the UK, but has also led and supported projects in Europe and globally.

Dean is a former head of MBA recruiting in London. Before coming to BCG, he worked at HSBC and UBS.

Michelle Scrimgeour, Chief Executive Officer, Legal & General Investment Management
Michelle was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) in July 2019.
Michelle has spent her career at major global firms and has extensive asset management experience across investments, distribution, product, operations and risk.

Before joining LGIM, Michelle was Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, at Columbia Threadneedle Investments and a member of the Executive Leadership Team of Ameriprise Financial. Prior to that, she was Chief Risk Officer at M&G Investments and a Director of M&G Group Limited, whom she joined in 2012 from BlackRock.

Michelle held a number of senior leadership positions at BlackRock, and previously at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and Mercury Asset Management, including Chief Operating Officer, International Fixed Income; Global Head of Fixed Income Product and Head of Alternative Investments.

Michelle is Deputy Chair of the Investment Association and a member of the FCA’s Practitioner Panel. She also Co-Chaired the COP26 Business Leaders Group.

Michelle holds a BA (Hons) in French from the University of Sheffield.

John McCareins, Head of International and of EMEA, Northern Trust
John McCareins, CAIA, CIMA, is head of international and leads Northern Trust Asset Management's business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and across the Asia Pacific (APAC). John serves on the Asset Management Executive Group with oversight of regional and country strategies, daily operations, regulatory affairs, relationships with other businesses, and the development of local capabilities tailored to the regional clientele. Additionally, he is the CEO of Northern Trust Global Investments Ltd. and serves on multiple Northern Trust subsidiary boards and governance committees including The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan and Northern Trust Asset Management Australia.

John previously was the head of asset management for the APAC region, where he was responsible for strategic growth initiatives and oversaw investment strategy, relationship management and sales teams based in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Australia, as well as global equity portfolio management and trading from Hong Kong. Prior to that role, he served as the outsourced chief investment officer practice focused on retirement assets within Northern Trust's multi-manager solutions group. He led a team that oversaw multi-asset programs with more than $60 billion in assets for asset owners globally. John's previous experience also includes client relationship management with Northern Trust and mutual fund sub-advisory product development with T. Rowe Price.

John has an MBA from Dartmouth College and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Northwestern University. John is a CAIA® charterholder and has attained the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation. He is also an Accredited Asset Management Specialist designee and a Certified Treasury Professional designee.

Ann Prendergast, Head of EMEA, State Street Global Advisors
Ann Prendergast is executive vice president and head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for State Street Global Advisors, the investment management arm of State Street. She is a member of the State Street Global Advisors Operating Group and chairs the EMEA Executive Committee.

In her role, Ann has responsibility for spearheading the firm’s growth aspirations in EMEA and providing oversight for our broader activities in the region. She brings deep knowledge and understanding of our business to her role, having spent more than two decades of her career with State Street Global Advisors.
Previously, Ann was chief executive officer of State Street Global Advisors Europe Ltd, the entity with responsibility for State Street Global Advisors European Union businesses. Earlier, she led the sales and marketing team for the Irish market, having joined the organization in 2000.

Prior to joining us, Ann worked for the Bank of Ireland Group in both their fund administration and private banking divisions.
Ann holds a degrees in business studies from the University of Limerick, is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is a Certified Investment Fund Director (CIFD).

Nikhil Rathi, CEO, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Nikhil was appointed Chief Executive of the FCA on 1 October 2020.
He began his career in HM Treasury before serving as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister between 2005 – 2008. Nikhil then became Head of the Financial Stability Unit, overseeing a number of the UK’s financial stability interventions before becoming HM Treasury’s Director of the Financial Services Group from 2009 – 2014. In that role, he also served as the UK representative to the EU Financial Services Committee. Nikhil joined the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in 2014 and was appointed CEO in 2015. Nikhil holds a BA in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Oxford.

Holly Mackay, Founder and CEO, Boring Money
Holly Mackay has worked in the investment industry since 1999, after gaining a degree at Oxford University and working in television. A serial entrepreneur, she sold her first financial services business in 2014 and set up Boring Money -an independent investment data, research and insights business– in 2015. Boring Money supports the investment industry with consumer insights – and supports consumers with personal finance and investment product information and guidance.

Boring Money’s award-winning consumer website is now the largest investment-specific comparison website in the UK. Holly was awarded Investment Week’s Investment Woman of the Year (Small to Medium Firms) for the second consecutive year in 2023, in recognition of her work to tackle both the Gender Investment Gap and the Advice Gap

Holly is a regular speaker at conferences and media commentator, appearing on the BBC, ITV and Sky News, as well as writing columns for national newspapers and financial publications. She is one of the UK’s most trusted voices to help consumers make sense of investment markets and products, and to help investment Boards to understand their customers.  

Maike Currie, Head of Marketing Campaigns & Content, Hargreaves Lansdown
Maike Currie heads up content and marketing at Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK’s number 1 platform to self-directed investors. She is editor-in-chief of the Investment Times magazine, and her role is to provide strategic direction on all targeted communications, campaigns and content.
Maike is well-versed in talking to self-directed investors about markets and money, and a leading industry voice on the importance of encouraging more women to invest. She has led HL’s Financially Fearless initiative, aimed at building women’s financial resilience, which has gained great traction in the media and wider industry.
A former financial journalist, Maike regularly appears on Sky News and the BBC’s Wake Up to Money and Radio 4’s Today programme talking about all things money, markets and investing. She has twice won the Headline Money Award for Industry expert and is author of A Search for Income: An investor’s guide to income-paying investments, published by Harriman House.

Miranda Seath, Director of Market Insight & Fund Sectors, The Investment Association
Miranda leads the team analysing data and trends in UK investment management, producing evidence-based insight to support the IA’s policy agenda. The division provides insight to members and external stakeholders through the Investment Management Survey, retail funds market commentary and investor research. Miranda is also responsible for the IA Sectors, the fund classification scheme designed to help UK investors navigate the retail fund universe.

Miranda joined the IA in May 2019. Before joining, she was Research Director at Platforum and NextWealth, research and consulting firms focused on retail investment distribution.

Karen Northey, Director of Corporate Affairs, The Investment Association
Karen leads the Corporate Affairs function at the Investment Association (IA), which includes Communications, UK Government Affairs and European and International Regulatory Affairs.
Karen joined the IA from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) in March 2022 where she was Head of China, International Markets and Head of Government Relations, Asia Pacific.
Prior to LSEG, Karen worked at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) where she held a number of roles including leading the FCA’s international relations function and the asset management and funds policy team.
Karen holds a JD/LLB and a BA from the University of Ottawa in Canada and an LLM from the London School of Economics. She is a qualified solicitor in both the UK and in Ontario, Canada.

Sarah de Lagarde, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, Janus Henderson Investors
Sarah de Lagarde is the Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Janus Henderson Investors since 2023, responsible for promoting the firm's visibility and offerings. With over 20 years in financial communications, she has worked with major firms like JP Morgan and BNY Mellon, and holds degrees from ESCP Business School and Cornell University. In 2022, Sarah became a double amputee due to an accident on the London Underground but continues to excel professionally and as a public speaker, advocating for diversity and inclusion with the help of an AI-powered bionic arm. She is also active in community service, mental health advocacy, and education, serving on the JH Foundation board and guest lecturing at prestigious institutions. Despite her challenges, Sarah balances her career, advocacy work, and family life, inspiring many with her resilience.

Galina Dimitrova, Director - Investment and Capital Markets, The Investment Association
Galina is a Director of Investment & Capital Markets at the Investment Association (the “IA”) and a member of the IA Executive Committee.

In her role, she has overall responsibility for the IA’s work on investments and capital markets, including representing investors' interests in the efficient functioning of markets and quality of asset classes, such as Equity, Fixed-income, FX, Infrastructure, and Private Markets. She also has oversight of all IA Special Committees and ETFs, as well as all trading, market infrastructure and investment operations’ matters relevant to IA members.

Central to her portfolio is helping members with the evolving Sustainability & Responsible Investment landscape, including the growth of responsible investment products and strategies, our clients’ changing preference and working together towards an economy, society and planet fit for the future.

Prior to joining the IA in 2014, Galina worked in the investment banking industry and has over 10 years’ experience advising financial institutions across the world on M&A, capital raisings and restructurings, with a particular focus on emerging markets.

Galina sits on the Bank of England FX Joint Standing Committee and TheCityUK Board of Directors. She is also a member of the UK Risk Free Rate Working Group and the FCA’s Disclosures & Labels Advisory Group.

Christopher Davis, Head of Asset Management & Funds Market Interventions, FCA
Chris is Head of the Asset Management & Funds Market Interventions Department at the FCA, having been in role since October 2022. The department is part of the FCA’s buy-side directorate, which sits within the Supervision, Policy & Competition Division at the FCA.

The department develops and applies supervision strategies that ensure the FCA plays a role in preventing and reducing harm to consumers and financial markets as well as promoting competition. It is responsible for the supervision of circa 2700 asset management firms, ranging from small, independent asset managers up to sophisticated financial services groups with a large impact on the retail, institutional and wholesale markets. It also has responsibility for the authorisation and supervision of circa 30k investment funds. Chris led the development and the delivery of the strategy for the asset management portfolio, including the publication of our strategy in February 2023. He is also responsible for the delivery of the strategy for the alternatives, custody and fund services portfolios.

Chris led the buy-side response to the gilt market volatility in September and October 2022, working closely with regulators and stakeholders in the UK and across Europe to ensure increased resilience in the Liability Driven Investment sector. He also directly inputs into the policy development of long-term resilience standards for LDI. Chris also sits on various on working groups within the FCA and currently co-chairs the Wholesale Data Working Group which aims to advance the understanding and use of wholesale for the benefit of supervisors and policy makers.

Before his current role, Chris led the supervision of bank owned asset managers and custody banks at the FCA and was accountable for leading a portfolio of custody and fund services business models and developing the first publicly articulated FCA regulatory strategy for custody & fund services sector. Prior to joining the FCA in 2018, he advised investment firms as a member of KPMG's consulting practice, delivering significant Board and ExCo sponsored projects in consulting. He also worked with the FCA on numerous occasions as part of Skilled Person’s teams to review the business and conduct of wholesale firms. He has also gained direct experience within the industry having worked for leading global asset managers several times on secondment in various roles.

Raza Naeem, Partner, Linklaters LLP
Raza has considerable experience in advising trading venues, sell-side and buy-side clients on a variety of regulatory topics including ESG, governance, wholesale and retail conduct, and market structures, and is considered to be an expert in his field. He also works closely with the broader Linklaters practice areas providing regulatory coverage on derivatives, structured products and corporate matters.

Antonio Barattelli, Head of Investment Management Unit, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) - (EU)
Antonio joined ESMA in August 2011 as senior policy officer. He is currently the Head of its Investment Management Unit and the rapporteur for the Investment Management Standing Committee of ESMA. The unit leads the ESMA’s work related to policy and supervisory convergence in the investment management sector, namely in relation to the UCITS Directive, AIFMD, ELTIF and MMF Regulation as well as cross-sectoral files such as SFDR and PRIIPs.

Prior to joining ESMA, Antonio was a senior associate at a major law firm in Luxembourg. He qualified as a lawyer in Italy.

Antonio holds a law degree from the University of Padua, a master degree in European Litigation from the University of Luxembourg and the University of Strasbourg as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in EU Competition Law from the King’s College London.

Sarah ten Siethoff, Deputy Director of the Division of Investment Management and Associate Director for the Rulemaking Office, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Sarah G. ten Siethoff is the Deputy Director and the Associate Director of the Rulemaking Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management. As Associate Director, she leads the development of policy and rulemaking relating to investment advisers and investment companies. As Deputy Director, Ms. ten Siethoff also assists the Director in strategic planning for the Division and in developing Division policy and practices.

From February 2021 to January 2022, Sarah was the Acting Director of the Division of Investment Management. Prior to joining the SEC, Ms. ten Siethoff was an associate with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP in their New York and Washington, DC offices.

Ms. ten Siethoff received her J.D. from Yale Law School, her M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and her B.A. from the University of Virginia.

Jonathan Lipkin, Director - Policy, Strategy and Innovation, The Investment Association
Jonathan is Director of Policy, Strategy and Innovation at The Investment Association (IA) and a longstanding member of the IA's Executive Committee.

Jonathan’s role focuses on helping the investment management industry to best serve its customer markets at a time of accelerating change. The PSI Division has evolved into a multi-disciplinary and diverse team that covers a wide range of policy and regulation affecting the industry, including competition, communication, financial stability and fund governance, as well as the broader shape of pensions and long-term savings markets. It also houses a specialist Innovation and Operations Unit to assist the industry in adapting to new technologies and help shape the broader landscape.

Jonathan joined the IA in 2005, becoming Director of Public Policy and a member of the IA Executive Committee in 2012. Prior to 2005, he worked for a number of years at Oxford Analytica, a geopolitical analysis and advisory firm. At OA, he led European political and economic analysis serving a wide range of corporate and government clients, both domestic and overseas.

Jonathan is a Board Member of the Cost Transparency Initiative, Chair of the EFAMA Pensions Group, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Asset Management Research at Bayes Business School. He writes and speaks regularly both in the UK and abroad on investment management and pensions issues.

Nasreen Kasenally, UK CEO Asset Management, UBS Asset Management
Nasreen was appointed COO and Country Head in May 2023 and is responsible for all global AM business support functions for the division and for overseeing all AM business conducted in the UK. Since joining UBS in 1999 she has held various senior risk roles across the firm.

Rima Varsy, Head of Investments Technology - Europe, Vanguard
Rima Varsy has over 20 years of experience in technology in various global roles within financial services industry. She is currently Vanguard's Head of Investments Technology in EMEA where she is accountable for the company's European Investment technology strategy, formulation, development and cross-functional delivery of software portfolio.

Rima joined Vanguard in 2019 from State Street Global Markets where she was Head of Technology, EMEA. Prior to State Street Global Markets, Rima was Head of Development EMEA for SSGA. Rima started her career in software engineering at Deutsch Bank, prior to moving into the buy-side industry and honing her skills working closely with investment teams to build solutions for business growth as well as M&A activity.

Russell Barlow, Head of Multi-Asset and Alternative Investment Solutions, abrdn
Based in London, Russell is Head of Multi-Asset and Alternative Investment Solutions in the Investment Business of abrdn, reporting to Peter Branner, CIO.

Having worked with the Alternatives team for over 20 years and having responsibility for the strategy, vision and innovation across the Alternatives function, Russell was also appointed Head of the Multi-Asset function in July 2023.

Russell is chairman of both the Alternatives Governance & Investment Committee, Multi Asset Oversight Committee and the Pan Alternatives Investment Committee as well as a Non-Executive Director of Archax, the UK’s only FCA-regulated digital asset exchange, broker and custodian, following abrdn’s investment in August 2022 making them their largest external shareholder.

Russell joined the business in 2010 via the acquisition of various asset management businesses from Royal Bank of Scotland, where he was a strategy head within the hedge fund team. He originally joined the hedge fund investment desk at Coutts & Co in 2000 having worked there from 1998.

David Newns, Head SIX Digital Exchange, Six Group
David Newns was made Head SIX Digital Exchange in October 2021 with a mandate to lead SDX in building the next generation fully regulated digital market infrastructure and establish SDX as a leader in global institutional Digital Assets and Cryptocurrency services. David is an entrepreneur and financial services professional with over 20 years of experience in capital markets. Prior to SDX, he was Senior Managing director at State Street and Global Head of GlobalLink Execution Services. In this role he was responsible for the award winning Currenex and FX Connect independent multi-asset class trading platform businesses. Previously, David was Global Head of Currenex and SwapEx. Before that, he held the roles of Chief Operating Officer for State Street Global Exchange Trading & Clearing and State Street eExchange EMEA. In 2001 David joined Currenex as a founding member of Currenex’s London operation. Before joining Currenex, David held several positions in technical services at MicroStrategy, a leading global provider of enterprise software platforms for business intelligence.