IA Culture Conference 2026: Navigating Transformation
Description
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.
AGENDA
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
- Karis Stander, Director of Culture, Talent & Inclusion, MD Investment20/20, 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.
- Charlotte Clark CBE, Director, FCA
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.
- Shrena Fraser Johnson, Culture, Talent & Inclusion Specialist, The Investment Association
- Ciaran Bowler, Director, Employment lawyer EMEA, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
- David Sims, Partner, Head of Financial Services and London Employment, DAC Beachcroft LLP
- Elizabeth Marks, Head of Human Resources EMEA, Amova Asset Management UK Limited
10:40 Keynote - From Regulation to Reality: Non-Financial Misconduct in Practice
As expectations around culture, accountability and conduct continue to evolve, firms are under increasing pressure to ensure their people frameworks keep pace. This keynote will examine how the latest non‑financial misconduct rules 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.
- 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
- Angela Hayes, Partner, DAC Beachcroft LLP
- David Speakman, Partner, DAC Beachcroft LLP
11:00 Networking Break
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.
- Karis Stander, Director of Culture, Talent & Inclusion, MD Investment20/20, The Investment Association & Investment20/20
12:00 Keynote: Generational Change at Work: Adapting and Evolving
With more generations in the workplace than ever before, perceptions of age and work are increasingly shaping organisational debates. Professor Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King's College London, will open the session by exploring why organisations need an intergenerational workforce strategy, not a Gen Z strategy.
- Professor Bobby Dufy, King's College London
12:20 Panel: Leading Across Generations – Expectations, Engagement and Inclusion
For leaders, one of the most important challenges is creating a culture that works for everyone, from those just starting their careers to the most experienced colleagues in the organisation. Building on these themes, we will bring together a panel of industry leaders to discuss how they are creating cultures where people from different generations and career stages can thrive together, alongside Investment20/20 alumni who will share their experiences of the workplace from an early-career perspective.
- Jenny Barber, Director of Careers and Talent, Investment20/20
- Cassie Waller, Chief Executive Officer, Santander Asset Management
- Helen Kewell, Associate Partner, Q5
- Amanda Cowley, People & Culture Director, The Roundhouse
12:50 Closing Reflections
- Karis Stander, Investment20/20 & The Investment Association
13:00 – Networking Lunch
WHY ATTEND
- 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
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Heads/Director HR, Talent, Learning & Development
- Employment lawyers, General Counsels
- Leads of Culture, Well-Being, DEI, Engagement
- Head of/Lead – Compliance, Conduct, SM&CR
SPEAKERS
Charlotte Clark CBE, Director of Cross Cutting Policy and Strategy, FCA
Charlotte Clark CBE has been the Director of Cross-Cutting Policy and Strategy at the FCA since November 2024. Her team leads on areas such as Consumer Duty, Vulnerability, Redress and Prudential Policy, Pensions as well as areas such as the development of policy for AI. Prior to this Charlotte was the Director of Regulation at ABI, leading on areas such as Solvency II reform and the ESG. Her background is in the civil service where she had senior roles in HMT, DWP and DfE including being the Director for Private Pensions at DWP.
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Professor Bobby Duffy, King's College London
Bobby Duffy is Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute. He Chairs the CLOSER Advisory Board, is a member of the Executive of the Academy of Social Sciences, a trustee of British Future and a Senior Fellow of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. He was previously Chair of the Campaign for Social Science and the Global Director of the Ipsos Social Research Institute, has been seconded to the UK Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, and was a fellow at the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion at LSE.
Cassie Waller, Chief Executive Office, Santander Asset Management UK
Cassie Waller joined Santander Asset Management UK as Chief Commercial Officer in February 2023, earning promotion to the role of Chief Executive Officer in May 2024. Cassie joined Santander Asset Management from Syntax Research Inc, where she was Chief Operating Officer. She also held the role of Chief Marketing Officer based in Florida, as well as a number of senior roles in State Street Bank Europe and State Street Global Markets, with responsibility for consultant relationships and portfolio solutions sales. Roles at Putnam Investments, Friends, Ivory & Sime and Wellington Management saw her gather a wealth of experience across a diverse range of disciplines. A forward-thinking senior executive with a proven record of accomplishment during her 25-year career, Cassie is a driven and ambitious business leader, dedicated to continuous business improvement, with a focus on enhancing revenue and streamlining business operations. Cassie has been successful in executing successful investment sales strategies, establishing winning teams and forging strong industry and internal partnerships. Cassie Waller holds a degree in International Politics, Communications and Marketing from Boston College. She is committed to diversity and inclusion, supporting women in business through a number of industry initiatives.
PRICING
Standard Rates from 8 May 2026
IA Members: £225 + VAT
Non-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)