Debate. Insights. Networking — join us and our leading asset manager partners in the Southwest.
Taking place on Thursday 15th to Friday 16th October at the beautiful Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath, The Wealth Forum Southwest will bring together investment experts from 10 top asset managers with fund selectors, wealth managers and researchers for a day and a half of informative and insightful presentations.
Agenda
Day 1
9:00-10:00
Breakfast and Registration
10:00- 11:00
Keynote
11:00- 13:00
Presentations
13:00- 14:00
Lunch
14:00- 17:00
Presentations
19:00
Dinner and Speaker
Day 2
8:00- 9:00
Breakfast and Registration
9:00- 11:00
Presentations
Content & Speakers
Fund Manager speakers and topics will be announced soon.
Connecting the World: Capturing Infrastructure’s Next Growth Cycle
Global Listed Infrastructure
As the world invests trillions in energy security, AI-enabled digital networks, transportation and the transition to a lower-carbon economy, infrastructure companies stand at the heart of some of the most powerful investment themes of the next decade. Yet despite its essential role in the global economy, listed infrastructure remains significantly under-owned relative to traditional equity allocations. Offering exposure to unique assets, durable cash flows and lower sensitivity to broader market cycles, infrastructure has the potential to enhance portfolio diversification while capturing long-term structural growth opportunities. Join us as we examine why global infrastructure may represent one of the most compelling and underappreciated opportunities in today's market, combining growth, resilience and diversification in a single asset class.
Senior Investment Specialist
Graham McCraw
Aberdeen Investments
Graham has been with Aberdeen for 15 years and is a Senior Equity Investment Specialist, responsible for the commercialisation and development of the equity asset class. He works alongside the investment teams, and his primary role is to ensure that investors have clarity on the philosophy, process and investment positioning. By understanding the changing needs of different groups of investors, he is responsible for developing new equity strategies and customised investment solutions for a range of investors globally.
Developed Markets
Lansdowne (Lux) Developed Markets Fund
Partner & Co-Portfolio Manager
Nigel Hikmat
Lansdowne Partners
Nigel joined Lansdowne Partners in March 2012 as an analyst on the Developed Markets strategy. Prior to joining Lansdowne, Nigel started his career as an Analyst and later Associate in the UK Mergers and Acquisitions team for Goldman Sachs in London, where he advised clients across a broad range of industries on various transactions and financings. Nigel read Land Economy at Clare College, Cambridge.
UK Equities
Portfolio Manager
Jo Rands
Franklin Templeton | ClearBridge Investments
Jo is a portfolio manager on the UK Equity Income, UK Managers' Focus and UK Rising Dividends strategies at ClearBridge Investments. She joined the firm in 2021 and the investment industry in 2004. Jo began her tenure with the UK Equity Team in 2021 at Franklin Templeton before the team transitioned to Martin Currie in 2022 and then became part of ClearBridge in 2025. Prior to this, she was a fund manager at Rathbone Brothers, in equity sales at Peel Hunt, a fund manager at Hermes Investment Management and a fund manager at HSBC.
Investing in a headline-driven world: a case for global short duration fixed income
Federated Hermes Global Short Duration Bond Fund
Investor appetite for short duration strategies has increased in the face of an uncertain economic backdrop characterised by stubborn inflation, rate volatility, and rising fiscal pressures in many developed economies. Is global short duration a commoditised asset class or are there opportunities to diverge and deliver better risk-adjusted outcomes? During this session, Yulia di Mambro and Andrew Lennox, co-portfolio managers of the Federated Hermes Global Short Duration Bond Fund, will make the case for the latter, highlighting the importance of flexibility across geographies, asset type, and credit rating.
Yulia di Mambro, Portfolio Manager Senior Investment Analyst & Andrew Lennox, Senior Portfolio Manager
Federated Hermes
Investment Grade
Portfolio Manager
Rory Sandilands
Aegon Asset Management
Rory Sandilands, portfolio manager, is a member of the investment grade and multi-sector portfolio management teams. He specializes in managing global credit and absolute return portfolios. Rory co-manages the Absolute Return Bond, the Investment Grade Bond, Investment Grade Global Bond Fund and our Global Investment Grade Climate Transition strategies. Prior to his current role, Rory was a vice president in credit sales at Goldman Sachs, worked in credit sales for Morgan Stanley and fixed income sales for Merrill Lynch. He has extensive experience working with both cash bonds and derivative products across the full ratings spectrum. Rory has been in the industry since 1998 and started with the firm in 2016. Rory received his honours degree in Law with Accountancy from the University of Edinburgh.
Global Equity Absolute Alpha Fund
Managing Director
Ben G. Stapley
J.P.Morgan Asset Management
Ben Stapley, managing director,is a portfolio manager within the J.P. Morgan Asset Management International Equity Group, based in London. He is a member of the Style investment team, with a particular focus on growth and long/short mandates. An employee since 2002, Ben joined the firm as a graduate trainee. He holds a BA degree in Economics and is a CFA charterholder.
Emerging Markets Reimagined: Unlocking Structural Opportunities with PIMCO
Join Naki Nartey for an in-depth discussion on the evolving opportunity set across Emerging Markets. We'll explore the powerful structural drivers reshaping EM investing, why active management is critical in navigating an increasingly diverse market, and how PIMCO's global scale, deep local expertise, and research platform help uncover compelling opportunities. The session will also highlight our flagship Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and how its flexible, blended approach seeks to capture value across the full EM opportunity set.
Emerging Markets Product Strategist
Naki Narkey
PIMCO
Ms. Nartey is a senior vice president and emerging markets product strategist in the London office. She previously worked in institutional fixed income sales at BBVA, overseeing European debt and providing overnight coverage for North American emerging markets accounts. Prior to that, Ms. Nartey was an emerging markets product specialist at JPMorgan Private Bank in New York, having previously worked in investment sales roles at JP Morgan Private Bank in Geneva and JP Morgan Investment Bank in London. She has 19 years of investment experience and holds an LLB in Law and Hispanic Law from University College London.
Beyond the 60/40: Wellington Absolute Return Global Equity Fund
Absolute Return Global Equity Investing
Diversification is easy to claim, but harder to deliver when portfolios need it most. As equity and bond correlations become less/Users/samanthaharris/Documents/Events/2026/16 South West/Headshots/Pimco-New-Naki.png dependable, strategies capable of providing genuinely uncorrelated returns become more valuable. This discussion will explore the role of diversifiers and market-neutral strategies, and how the Wellington Absolute Return Global Equity Fund seeks to deliver diversification by design: deliberately separating returns from market direction, rather than assuming diversification will hold.
Head of Solutions Production
Luke Stellini
Wellington Management
Luke is Head of Solutions Production Management, a Global Team spread across the Americas, EMEA and APAC who engage with clients, prospects, and consultants to discuss investment approaches, develops new products, analyzes portfolios to ensure investment integrity, and manages business issues on behalf of portfolio teams. The IPFS team work with clients, prospects and consultants to discuss investment approaches, develop new products, and analyze portfolios to ensure investment integrity, as well as to communicate our investment philosophy, strategy, positioning and performance. In addition, the team oversees all aspects of funds, including fund governance, product development, risk management, marketing, operations and servicing of fund investors. Luke is a member of the Wellington Management International Ltd (WMIL) board of directors, EMEA Management Committee, and WMIL Compensation Committee.
Asian stockmarkets - a one trick pony?
Fund Manager
Robin Parbrook
Schroders
Robin Parbrook, the Co-Head of Asian Equity Alternative Investments at Schroders, started his investment career at Schroders in 1990. He currently oversees Regional and Alternatives strategies. Robin began as a graduate trainee in London and then relocated to Hong Kong in 1992, where he spent six years working as an analyst and Asian Fund Manager. He returned to London in 1998 to manage specialist Pacific portfolios and later moved to Singapore in 2001 as the Deputy CIO for the Asia ex Japan region. In 2002, Robin moved back to Hong Kong to contribute to the growth of the Greater China product while continuing his responsibilities in the Asia ex Japan market. In 2008, he shifted to Edinburgh to focus on managing Asian investment strategies with an emphasis on absolute returns. In 2010, Robin returned to Hong Kong to manage the Asian Total Return and other Asian equity strategies. Finally, in 2017, he moved back to London to co-manage the Asian Total Return and Asian Long Term Value strategies. Robin holds an MA in Economics from Edinburgh University.
Host
Chairman Marr
Editorial Director
Julian Marr
Wealthwise
Location
The Royal Crescent Hotel, BA1 2LS
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Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Is there a cost to attend the event?
There is no cost for delegate attendees
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation for delegates is provided for the night of Thursday, ensuring a comfortable stay during the event.
Is there any transport to the event included?
The venue is easily accessible from Bath railway station, with convenient shuttle services available for delegates. To ensure smooth transportation, please inform Sam of your expected arrival time, and she will be happy to assist in coordinating your shuttle or provide any additional support you may need.
Contact us
To register as a delegate or information on attending the event, please contact Phillippa Coats. For information on future sponsorship, other events or the website please contact Sam on the details below.
