MPS Elite Forum

Innovation within MPS: Meeting investor needs in today’s markets.

As client needs and market conditions continue to evolve, Model Portfolio Services (MPS) are becoming an increasingly important tool for UK advisers seeking scalable, consistent investment solutions. In this session, Donall Ryan explores how innovation in portfolio construction, risk management and equity implementation — including the use of core and regional precision strategies — is enhancing the role of MPS in delivering better client outcomes. Drawing on insights from Global Product Solutions, he will discuss how more precise, outcome-focused building blocks can improve diversification, strengthen portfolio resilience and support long-term objectives, while helping advisers manage complexity and future-proof their advice propositions.

Equity Product Strategist

Donall Ryan

BlackRock

AVI Japan: Activism Meets Alpha in Overlooked Stocks

AVI Japanese Special Situations Fund

AVI Japanese Special Situations Fund (AJSS), was launched in April 2024 and is an actively managed fund that seeks to unlock value in under-researched, overcapitalized mid and small-cap Japanese equities. With a disciplined approach to engagement and corporate governance improvements, AJSS offers an attractive opportunity for long-term capital appreciation.

CEO

Joe Bauernfreund

Asset Value Investors

Fixed Income Opportunity: it's not all about AI

Politics has become a dominant force behind bond market volatility. In this session, seasoned global bond investor, David Roberts explores: Why a disciplined strategy built on major themes and incremental gains can deliver stability and act as a true diversifier to risk assets. How fixed income opportunities extend far beyond the AI narrative. And where next for rates and credit.

Co-portfolio Manager of the Nedgroup Investments Global Strategic Bond Fund

David Roberts

Nedgroup Investments

David Roberts is a fixed income investor with over 30 years’ experience in the industry. He was previously partner and head of global fixed income at Liontrust until late 2022. Prior to that, he was head of fixed income for Kames Capital and a member of the executive committee. Earlier in his career, he held roles at Britannia Investment Managers and Lloyds Bank. David holds a joint Honours degree in Economics and Industrial Relations as well as an MSc in Investment Analysis. David joined Nedgroup Investments as Head of Fixed Income in 2023 to set up a Fixed Income boutique.

Rising stars: navigating Asia’s equity landscape

With the balance of the global economy arguably shifting further eastwards, Asia is increasingly being seen as an independent growth engine amid Western market headwinds and high valuations. David Perrett will guide us through his disciplined, high-conviction and style-agnostic approach in gaining exposure to the wealth of potential opportunities in Asian equities.

Co-Head of Asia Pacific Equity Investments

David Perrett

M&G Investments

David joined M&G in September 2019 as Co-Head of Asia Pacific Equity Investments. He is the fund manager of the M&G Asian Fund and deputy fund manager of the M&G Japan Fund.

Why short dated credit might be the best low volatility game in a high volatility world

In a volatile world of geopolitical tension and uncertain interest rates, short-dated investment-grade credit stands out. It offers strong break-even protection, supported by elevated yields and upward-sloping curves - creating scope for both roll-down gains and attractive income. Put simply, today’s yields are high enough to underpin good returns for the next few years.

Partner, Co-Head of Investment Grade

Chris Bowie

TwentyFour Asset Management

Chris is a partner at TwentyFour, having joined in 2014 to create and manage the firm’s range of Investment Grade (IG) strategies. Chris is now Co-Head of Investment Grade and a member of the IG portfolio management team. He also sits on the Asset Allocation Committee and the ESG Committee. Chris was previously Head of Credit at Ignis and Head of Rates at Aegon.

Unlocking Predictable Returns in Unpredictable Markets

Liquid Alternatives

Downing Liquid Alternatives is a range of funds and mandates focused on delivering multi-asset solutions that harness modern strategies across alternatives and traditional assets, without sacrificing liquidity. Secular changes to modern market dynamics are driving long term challenges to performance and risks. Investor portfolios are challenged by navigating complex, uncertain markets; geo-politics, tariffs, and growing regional imbalances. The Downing Active Defined Returns fund combines a proven systematic defined return strategy with active management to deliver more consistent, predictable returns, combined with attractive convexity in market downturns. Delivering a predictable investment path and a less emotional journey for clients. The Fund is a key building block for multi-asset investors seeking developed markets diversification, liquidity, and stability across economic cycles.

Head of Portfolio Management

Paul Adams

Downing

Paul is Head of Portfolio Management in the Liquid Alternatives team. Paul built and ran a series of cross-asset and derivatives businesses over his 20+ year career in investment banking. Paul sits on the Liquid Alternative’s investment committee and is portfolio manager on the Active Defined Returns fund and Diversified Opportunities Fund. He was previously the European Head of Cash Equity and Flow Derivatives for Royal Bank of Canada, and began his career as a Chemical Engineer and working in the Lloyds insurance market for Chubb Insurance.

Are you as diversified as you think? Making active calls with passive

Most portfolios enter 2026 appearing diversified, yet remain dominated by equity risk, structurally concentrated in the US, and increasingly exposed to a single AI-driven growth regime that has quietly replaced true diversification At the same time, several return engines that matter in this phase of the cycle are under‑owned, especially the role for income components The focus therefore shifts to how portfolio composition is evolving, with fixed income as a source of carry, equity exposure extending beyond US mega‑cap and AI‑driven returns, and diversifiers such as European leaders, China technology, and alternatives where gold, bitcoin and silver play clearly differentiated roles

ETFs Products Specialist

Haneen Sakhi

Xtrackers