Chair’s opening remarks

Jeremy Fawcett, Head of Platforum

Investment Distribution Dynamics in the UK and Europe

How successful asset managers are recognising that regulatory and other changes are increasing divergence between national markets and the ways they are reacting to this point of inflection.

Andrew Ashwood, Senior Analyst, Platforum

Keynote Panel Discussion

Asset management at a crossroads – the challenges and opportunities

Asset managers’ margins are under pressure from all directions: regulators, low-cost competitors, distributors, the Brexit process. Buoyed up by one of the longest ever bull markets, asset managers have been cushioned against shocks, but now markets have become bumpier and the wider environment is growing less forgiving. More than ever asset managers need to look out for the dangers and seek the changing opportunities.

Chaired by: Danby Bloch, Head of Editorial Strategy, Platforum

Panellists:

James Rainbow, Chief Executive, Schroders Personal Wealth 
Dame Helena Morrissey, Head of Personal Investing, Legal & General Investment Management
Martin Jennings, CEO, Parmenion

The value of distribution intelligence
Wade McDonald, Senior Director, Asset and Wealth Management, SS&C

Investing for retirement

Advisers have reacted to the challenges of investing for decumulation with a range of strategies and solutions. Asset managers need to understand how different adviser sectors are behaving and who will be the winners and losers.

Andrew Ashwood, Senior Analyst, Platforum

The evolving pan-European market
How should asset managers and others in the value chain develop appropriate strategies for penetrating pan-European markets successfully? Is ESG finally becoming a mainstream issue for asset managers?

Richard Bradley, Research Director, Platforum

Panel Discussion

The retirement income panel

What do consumers want and need? The multiplicity of solutions could mean that advisers and others in value chain have sorted it – or are simply confused. Will asset managers, DFMs, platforms and advisers provide the right solutions?

Chaired by: Malcolm Kerr, Independent Consultant

Panellists:

Sir Steve Webb, Director of Policy and External Communications, Royal London

Gerald Rehn, Head of International Product & Governance, BNY Mellon

William Allport, Senior Strategist, Vanguard

Adrian Boulding, Chief Innovation Officer, Spire Platform Solutions

Panel Discussion

Platforms at the data epicentre

Requirements around EMTs, KYC, ESG and share class proliferation are turning platforms into data businesses. How are platforms adapting to this, what more could they do and what challenges are yet to be overcome?

Chaired by:

Richard Bradley, Research Director, Platforum

Panellists:

Matt Newnham, Managing Director, MFEX
Roger Bootz, Head Distribution 3rd Party Fund Platforms Europe ex Germany, DWS International
Carsten Mahler, CEO, FundConnect

Panel Discussion

How solutions are structured and what selectors are looking for

Chaired by:

Danby Bloch, Head of Editorial Strategy, Platforum

Panellists:

Mike Roberts, Chief Proposition Officer, PortfolioMetrix

Roddi Vaughan-Thomas, Head of Communications and Marketing, Tatton Investment Management

Kevin Doran, Managing Director, AJ Bell Investments

Panel Discussion

The Brexit conundrum panel

The impact of Brexit on fund distribution into and out of the UK. How asset managers are finding solutions to the changes brought by the UK exiting the EU.
Chaired by:
Miranda Seath, Head of Market Insight, The Investment Association

Panellists:
Simon Ellis, Independent Director & Adviser

Sven Kasper, SVP & International Head of Regulatory, Industry and Government Affairs, State Street
Julie Patterson, Head of Asset Management, Regulatory Change, KPMG LLP
 

Fund distribution in the UK adviser market

How should asset managers segment the adviser market? How are adviser propositions evolving? Which segments are the goldmines and which are the expensive swamps? Are platforms the key to penetrating the adviser market?

Andrew Ashwood and Danby Bloch, Platforum

The D2C and digital investing ecosystem

The make-up of the digital investing ecosystem and the current trends investment providers should be aware of. What are the recent developments in the DIY platform market, the implications of the Woodford fiasco, how are ‘robo-advisers’ adjusting in search for a sustainable business model, and what role do the rising challenger banks and stockbrokers play in the digital investing scene?

Jeremy Fawcett, Head of Platforum

Panel Discussion

The evolution of platform markets

Some platforms will exploit their sheer scale; others will aim to differentiate themselves through their offerings and other strategies. Asset managers regard platforms as a key route market, while regulators and others see their potential leverage for lowering fund costs.

Chaired by:

Richard Bradley, Research Director, Platforum

Panellists:

Jaime Pérez-Maura, Global Head of Business Development & Sales Planning, Allfunds
Sam Handfield-Jones, Co-Head, Seccl
Charles Berry, Director Software & Professional Services, SS&C

New technology, digital and beyond - fintech demos

Dynamic cash management, flexible open banking and customer experience: how changing customer expectations are driving new developments for retail investors. What is the likely impact on the marketplace?
 

The industry needs 'Fast Tech' not Fintech

Dan Scholey, COO, Moneyhub
 

Trends in cash across wealth platforms
Discussing UK and global trends in cash solutions including marketplaces and 'Cash-as-a-Solution' for wealth distribution. Cash as an asset is a gateway for client touchpoints and to attract new investors, utilising both increased returns while removing all the hassle and friction in current bank and savings products. 

Felicia Meyerowitz Singh, Co-Founder & CEO, Akoni
 

Best in class in customer experience

• Definitions – what is CX?
• Why is it important and where is ROI
• A simple framework for managing it
• Examples from within the financial sector and outside

Neil Sharp, Partner, PEN Partnership

Panel Discussion

Intermediated distribution

Adviser markets in UK are dominated by small firms – but this is changing as larger operators consolidate their smaller rivals and the banks gear up to enter the market. But the SME sector remains highly resilient.
Banks continue to dominate much of the continental market, but as UK seems to be getting more restricted, much of the rest of Europe may be growing more independent. Divergences in the implementation of MiFID ll have increased differences between markets. Which asset managers will benefit and which will suffer?
Chaired by:

Richard Bradley, Research Director, Platforum
Panellists:
Fergus McCarthy, UK Distribution Director, Aberdeen Standard
Verona Kenny, Managing Director Intermediary, Seven Investment Management
Neil Wise, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Sales, Investment Fund Services, Clearstream

Our relationship with money - connecting with a younger and more diversified audience

Mark Adams, SVP & Head of Innovation, Vice Media

Reinventing Robo?

• Do we really want to reach a new audience?
• Escaping from a legacy mindset
• Differentiation starts with targeting
• How are we going to make any money?

Lucian Camp, Principal, Lucian Camp Consulting

Panel Discussion

How will people invest in 10 years’ time?

Chaired by:

Lucian Camp, Principal, Lucian Camp Consulting

Panellists:

Romi Savova, Chief Executive Officer, PensionBee

Richard Theo, Chief Executive Officer, Wealthify

Mark Adams, SVP & Head of Innovation, Vice

Chair’s closing remarks and close of conference

Jeremy Fawcett, Head of Platforum