TalkingTech: Agentic Ambition: Unlocking Business Value with AI Agents
Description
As artificial intelligence evolves from predictive analytics to autonomous decision-making, AI agents are emerging as powerful tools for transforming investment management and professional services. This TalkingTech seminar, hosted by Farrer & Co, explores how agentic AI is reshaping operational models, enhancing client outcomes, and unlocking new sources of business value. Through expert insights and real-world case studies, we’ll examine the legal, ethical, and strategic considerations of deploying AI agents—from compliance automation to intelligent portfolio construction. Join us to understand how firms can harness this next wave of innovation responsibly and competitively.
AGENDA
Subject to change:
14:00 Registration
14:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Brief introduction to the theme and objectives of the session.
-
Gillian Painter, Director of Membership, Enterprises, Marketing & Engine, The Investment Association
14:40 Presentation: Agentic AI 101
- Dr. Andreas Geyer, Managing Partner, d-fine
14:50 Presentation: Real World Case Studies on Deploying AI
A presentation of current use cases across financial services
- Richard Doherty, Head of Asset & Wealth Management Practice, Publicis Sapient
15:10 Fireside Chat: “The Ethics and Risks of Autonomy”
Balancing innovation with accountability and transparency.
- Adam Grainger, Agentic Risks Project Lead, Accomplish
- Lawrence Baker, Policy Adviser, The Investment Association
15:30 Panel: “Deploying AI Agents: Legal, Technical & Strategic Insights”
Practical guidance on implementation, governance, and risk.
- Moderator: James King, Senior Policy Adviser, Policy, Strategy & Innovation, The Investment Association
- Alan Baker, Partner,Farrer & Co
- Padraig Coffey, CEO, Zartis
- Charlotte Wood, Global Head of AI and Innovation, Schroders
16:00 Firesidechat: Staying Resilient in a World of Agentic AI
Risk management framework, new and novel risks to cybersecurity
- Gerrad Olisa‑Ashar, Director Strategic Partnerships, Toraguard
- Shruti Deb, Policy Adviser, Operations and Innovation Unit, The Investment Association
16:20 Closing Remarks
Final thoughts and key takeaways
- Gillian Painter, Director of Membership, Enterprises, Marketing & Engine, The Investment Association
16:30 Networking Drinks Reception
Join us for informal drinks and further discussion
PRICING
Free to attend!
WHY ATTEND
As AI agents move from concept to commercial reality, this seminar offers a timely opportunity to explore how autonomous systems are reshaping the business and legal landscape. Whether you're an investment manager seeking operational edge, a legal professional navigating AI governance, or a technologist building the next generation of intelligent tools—this event will equip you with the insights, frameworks, and connections to lead with confidence.
- Understand the shift from automation to autonomy and what it means for your organisation.
- Hear from experts on the legal, ethical, and strategic implications of deploying AI agents.
- Explore real-world use cases in investment management, compliance, and client service.
- Engage with peers and pioneers shaping the future of agentic AI.
- Network with industry leaders over drinks in a relaxed setting.
SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
With thanks to
Our sponsors and partners for their continuous support!
Event Host
 |
Gold Sponsors
 |
 |
 |
 |
Why Sponsor The IA Funds Symposium
-
Timely Relevance: Agentic AI is rapidly becoming a strategic priority across the investment management sector. This TalkingTech event is one of the first in the industry to focus exclusively on the business applications and governance of AI agents, offering sponsors a chance to lead the conversation at a pivotal moment.
-
Risk and Governance Spotlight: This event will feature discussions on operationalising AI safely and effectively. Sponsors aligned with risk, compliance, or AI governance will benefit from direct association with these critical themes.
-
Curated Thought Leadership Opportunities: The agenda is being shaped to include expert voices from across the AI and asset management ecosystem. Sponsors have the opportunity to contribute to panel discussions or showcase their frameworks, tools, or case studies—positioning themselves as trusted innovators in a fast-evolving space.
-
For more details on sponsorship packages, you can contact the IA at Events@theia.org.
SPEAKERS
Gillian Painter, Director of Membership, Enterprises, Marketing & Engine, The Investment Association
Gillian is a senior leader at The Investment Association, where she directs Membership, Enterprises, Marketing, and Engine—the IA’s innovation hub and FinTech accelerator. Since launching Engine in October 2019, she has led its transformation into a dynamic ecosystem of over 150 firms and partners. Engine now delivers a wide-ranging programme of innovation support, including national and international outreach, education, thought leadership, and industry connectivity.
Under Gillian’s leadership, Engine has become a driving force for innovation and digital transformation across the investment management and wealth sectors. Her broader remit includes shaping member engagement and strategic marketing across IA Enterprises, ensuring alignment between innovation, member needs, and industry evolution.
With a strong foundation in global IT and telecoms, Gillian brings deep expertise in technology, having held technical and operational roles that inform her strategic approach to innovation and change.
Adam Grainger, Agentic Risks Project Lead, Accomplish
Adam runs the asset management CX Benchmark, which lets firms discover, in time and money, where their client experience out or underperforms in engaging clients. To help asset managers overcome fragmented, inconsistent, or hard-to-access data, he co-designed the Fetch AI data collection agent. This experience inspired him to develop the Agentic AI Risk Control Framework, which integrates agentic AI into firms’ risk management arrangements. Adam has completed Oxford University’s Artificial Intelligence programme and has an MBA from the London Business School.
James King, Senior Policy Adviser, The Investment Association
James King is the Senior Policy Adviser at the Investment Association responsible for operational resilience, cyber resilience and technology.
Charlotte Wood, Head of AI and Innovation, Schroders
Charlotte is the Head of AI and Innovation at Schroders, where she is globally responsible for the company’s generative AI strategy as well as startup engagement and innovation.
In collaboration with senior leadership she provides strategic oversight to Schroders’ AI initiatives, implementing AI safely across the firm to deliver value for the company and its clients.
Charlotte established and leads the central AI team, building AI tools and services such as Genie, an internal AI assistant, which was launched globally in April 2023 and is used by more than 4000 employees each week.
The Innovation and Fintech team drive Schroders’ strategic approach to innovation, including assessing industry trends and partnering with early-stage companies.
Charlotte sits on the advisory panel for the Investment Association’s fintech programme, Engine, as well as other advisory boards for fintechs and social enterprise.
Padraig Coffey, CEO, Zartis
Padraig Coffey is the CEO of Zartis, a technology consultancy with nearly 300 employees supporting clients across Europe and North America. Founded in Cork, Ireland in 2009, Zartis partners with organisations from high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies, delivering technology strategy, AI transformation, and bespoke software solutions — with a strong focus on regulated industries such as financial services and healthcare.
Since becoming CEO, Padraig has led the company’s evolution into a recognised leader in AI transformation and strengthened its expertise in AI product engineering, helping clients unlock innovation and scale responsibly in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Alan Baker, Partner, Farrer & Co
Alan advises on all aspects of data protection law, commercial contracts and the use of information and intellectual property assets, as well as commercial regulatory issues. He helps clients to balance the sometimes competing objectives of minimising compliance risks and maximising commercial rewards.
Alan is a partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property & Commercial team, where he advises clients on a wide range of commercial matters. His specialisms include data protection and direct marketing, intellectual property and brand protection, commercial contract drafting and review, and other commercial regulatory issues.
Alan has close relationships with clients in the banking and financial services sector and data-rich businesses including media, technology and sports organisations. He combines a deep understanding of law and regulatory guidance with a sound appreciation of clients’ organisational structures, the nature of their work, and their ultimate objectives in taking legal advice.
Clients and colleagues consider Alan a sound authority on data protection matters and turn to him for routine problem solving and compliance advice, as well as large-scale personal data audit projects. As an experienced contract lawyer with a keen eye for detail, he drafts accurate and legally robust agreements and other documents for all manner of commercial and compliance purposes.
Shruti Deb, Policy Adviser, Innovation and Operations Unit at the Investment Association
As part of the Unit at the IA, Shruti works across a wide variety of projects that bring technology and finance together. Shruti has a keen interest in technology policy particularly where it impacts the investment management industry. Shruti supports the IA's work on cyber resilience and has a keen interest in exploring incidents, developments and mitigation measures for preventing cyber attacks. Additionally, Shruti also works on the tokenisation of funds workstream and leads IA's data strategy work.
Gerrad Olisa-Ashar, Director Strategic Partnerships, ToraGuard
Gerrad Olisa-Ashar has decades of experience advising business leaders on technology and cybersecurity transformation. He is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at ToraGuard where he partners with business leaders to align cyber resilience programs with business goals, strengthen risk posture, and meet evolving regulatory requirements. Gerrad is driven by a commitment to turning complex cyber resilience challenges into clear practical strategies that deliver measurable business value.
Henry Bewley, Membership and FinTech Executive, The Investment Association
Henry leads the IA’s Engine initiative, driving innovation and collaboration across the investment management and fintech ecosystem. With a focus on fostering partnerships, supporting emerging technologies, and shaping industry engagement, Henry works closely with members, startups, and strategic partners to accelerate digital transformation in financial services.
Dr. Andreas Geyer, Managing Partner, d-fine
Andreas is managing partner at d-fine heading asset management consulting services. He holds a PhD in physics from Heidelberg University as well as a diploma in mathematical finance from Oxford University. Andreas joined d-fine more than 22 years ago. He is thought leader for intelligent automation & agentic AI and process architect. Currently, Andreas and his team support 10+ investment managers and securities service providers in data and automation endeavours.