IA Culture Conference 2026: Navigating Transformation

Responding to regulatory, technological and workforce change - and what this means in practice for firms and their people.

Join senior leaders as well as HR, compliance, conduct, legal and talent professionals at the IA Culture Conference 2026, as we explore how the investment management industry is responding to regulatory, technological and workforce change, and what this means in practice for firms and their people.

This year's agenda brings together perspectives from the FCA, industry leaders and expert speakers to examine the changing expectations around culture, tech integration, conduct and employment law. From the regulator's view on culture, SM&CR reform and non-financial misconduct, to the practical implications of the Employment Rights Act for governance, risk and workplace culture, the conference will offer timely insight into the issues shaping firms today.

The programme explores how AI is reshaping skills, strategy and accountability across investment management, and how firms are building cultures that support engagement, collaboration and performance across generations. We will examine these topics and more through keynote addresses, panel discussions and dedicated networking opportunities throughout the day.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical insight, hear fresh perspectives and participate in valuable peer discussion.

Subject to change

08:45 Registration & Networking Breakfast

Arrival refreshments and informal networking

09:30 Welcome from M&G

09:35 Opening Remarks: Culture, Talent and Inclusion in Transition

Speaker: Karis Stander, The Investment Association & Investment20/20

09:45 Keynote: Aligning Regulatory Expectations and Workforce Transformation

Culture remains a core focus for the FCA as firms navigate an evolving regulatory landscape. With proposed changes to the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR) and an increasing regulatory focus on non-financial misconduct, expectations around culture, conduct and accountability continue to evolve. In this keynote session, the FCA will outline its priorities and expectations, as well as the key regulatory developments firms should be preparing for in the year ahead.

10:10 Panel: Implementing the Employment Rights Act – Risk, Governance and Culture

This panel will focus on the key measures of the Employment Rights Act and what they mean in practice for firms. Panellists will explore how organisations are managing implementation day-to-day, including the implications for governance, line management and risk oversight. The discussion will also consider how to balance compliance with maintaining an effective, confident workplace culture, and the broader implications for UK business competitiveness.

10:40 Keynote - From Regulation to Reality: Managing SM&CR Reform and Non-Financial Misconduct in Practice

As expectations on culture, accountability and conduct continue to evolve, firms are under growing pressure to ensure their people frameworks keep pace. This keynote will examine how the latest developments on SM&CR reform and non‑financial misconduct are shaping the day‑to‑day reality for investment management firms. It will explore how regulatory direction of travel translates into clear accountability, fair and robust processes, and a culture that supports both competitiveness and good conduct, and what this means in practice for senior managers, HR, Legal, Compliance and line leaders.

• Translating evolving SM&CR expectations into day‑to‑day accountability frameworks
• Handling instances of non‑financial misconduct: investigations, thresholds and consistency
• Aligning HR, Legal and Compliance responses to culture and conduct risk
• Ensuring line managers are equipped to make fair, defensible decisions in complex cases

11:00 Networking Break

Refreshments and networking

11:30 Panel: The AI Enabled Workforce – Skills, Strategy and Accountability

AI is reshaping work across investment management, from day-to-day productivity to operating models, decision making and oversight. As firms move from experimentation to integration, roles are likely to evolve more than disappear, placing greater value on human judgement, critical thinking, governance and adaptability.

This panel will share insights on how AI is changing workforce skills and roles, what human oversight may look like, and how firms are embedding AI in ways that support culture, inclusion and long-term competitiveness.

12:00 Keynote: Generational Change at Work: Adapting and Evolving

12:20 Panel: Working Across Generations – Expectations, Engagement and Inclusion

With four (and sometimes five) generations now in the workforce, ensuring that your firms build a culture that work for everyone from early careers talent to senior leaders, is vital to future workforce planning. In this session, panellists will examine how expectations around flexibility, career paths, feedback and leadership differ for new entrants compared with more experienced colleagues, and how to avoid generational stereotyping while still addressing distinct needs.

• What different generations want from work, progression and leadership
• Managing tensions around hybrid working, performance, feedback and reward across generations
• Support intergenerational collaboration, mentoring and knowledge transfer
• Creating inclusive communication and engagement strategies that resonate with both new entrants and experienced staff
• The role of line managers in supporting early careers talent while bridging generational expectations and maintaining fairness

12:50 Closing Reflections

Speaker: Karis Stander

13:00 – Networking Lunch

• Gain clarity on the practical implications of the Employment Right Act and how to adapt your workforce strategy
• Learn how SM&CR is evolving in practice and what this means for culture, governance and senior accountability
• Understand how early careers programmes are evolving to remain future ready
• Engage with senior leaders through keynote discussions and industry‑led panels grounded in real‑world experience

Speakers to be announced soon

Standard Rates from 8 May 2026

Non-members: £225 + VAT
IA Members: £295 + VAT
 

Specials

Group discount: use the promotional code GROUP for 20% discount on bookings of five or more
CEOs IA Full Members: Free (to receive your access code, please contact events@theia.org)