Over 400 people attended the event and heard from leading investment company fund managers on topics such as inflation, private equity, emerging markets and going green, among many more. Three separate conference rooms allowed attendees the flexibility to pick and choose the sessions of most relevance to their future investment plans.

Below is some footage of the sessions in rooms 1 and 2. Please visit the videos to hear the fund managers share their perspectives on a range of topics. Slides from the solo presenters can be found on each video page and the full programme and list of speakers with their bios can be found at the bottom of this page.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Panel sessions

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How to beat inflation

With inflation showing little sign of subsiding, this panel session looked at how best to protect investment portfolios.

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Outlook for UK equities

UK equities are still arguably undervalued versus other markets. In this panel managers discussed what the UK has going for it and the impact of higher inflation and interest rates on UK plc.

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The big income panel

In this session, managers of some remarkable dividend-paying investment trusts discuss their strategies and how they keep income streams flowing.

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Going global

Investment company managers discussed their approaches to global asset allocation, along with their outlook on where in the world to invest.

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The world of private equity

Investment companies offer a rare opportunity for individual investors to access private equity. In this panel, managers from across the sector discussed the need for continued exposure to this important asset class.

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Can emerging markets deliver?

Panellists discussed the continuing appeal of emerging markets, as well as identifying the countries and sectors where they are finding the most attractive opportunities.

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Property - generalist vs specialist

Investors seeking exposure to UK property through investment companies face a choice between generalists and specialists. In this panel, managers from both sides of the divide discussed the pros and cons.

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Opportunities in renewable energy

Investment companies focused on renewable energy offer the chance for investors to see their money making a difference. In this panel, fund managers discussed mitigating climate change while aiming to deliver an attractive income.

Event overview

Programme - Room 1

Welcome and introduction - 10:00 – 10:10

Morning session

tech wreck cropped

10:15 – 10:40 | What’s next for tech?

This presentation will look at  the outlook for tech companies following the substantial market falls this year. What are the most exciting areas and is now a good time to invest?

Speaker: Ben Rogoff, Polar Capital Technology 

 

inflation - cropped

10:45 – 11:25 | How to beat inflation

Panel session

With inflation showing little sign of subsiding, this panel session looks at how best to protect  investment portfolios, as well as considering the wider question of how high it might go and how long it might last.

Panellists:
Nick Brind, Polar Capital Global Financials 
James Harries, Securities Trust of Scotland 
Peter Spiller, Capital Gearing
Bruce Stout, Murray International
 

 

property - showcase

11:30 – 12:10 | Property - generalist vs specialist

Panel session

Investors seeking exposure to UK property through investment companies face a choice between generalists, who maintain diversified portfolios across commercial property, and specialists, who focus on particular niches. In this panel, managers from both sides of the divide fight it out. 

Panellists:
Jason Baggaley, abrdn Property Income
Kenneth MacKenzie, Target Healthcare REIT 

 

paul niven

12:15 – 12:45 | Keynote speaker – Paul Niven F&C Investment Trust

 

 

Afternoon session

economic - showcase

13:30 – 13:55 | The economic outlook

This important presentation will look at how investors can best protect themselves from the current market turmoil, alongside the outlook for the future and whether better times lie ahead.

Speaker: Peter Spiller, Capital Gearing Trust

UK - showcase

14:00 – 14:40 | Bringing it all back home: the outlook for UK equities

Panel session

UK equities are enjoying a moment in the sun this year, but are still arguably undervalued versus other markets. In this panel managers discuss what the UK has going for it, the sectors they favour, and the impact of higher inflation and interest rates on UK plc.  

Panellists:
Georgina Brittain, JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies & JPMorgan MidCap
James Henderson, Lowland, Henderson Opportunities & Law Debenture Corporation
Iain Pyle, Shires Income

big income - showcase

14:45 – 15:25 | The big income panel

Panel session

In this session, managers of some remarkable dividend-paying investment trusts discuss their strategies and how they keep income streams flowing. 

Panellists:
Martin Connaghan, Murray International
Job Curtis, City of London
Sue Noffke, Schroder Income Growth 

 

Robert Peston

15:30 – 16:00 | Keynote speaker – Robert Peston

Robert Peston, journalist, presenter and author will give his insights into the current economic and political climate 

Programme - Room 2

Morning session

income - showcase

10:15 – 10:40 | The global income perspective

In the current challenging market conditions, this presentation will look at the benefits of looking outside the UK for income, and where the best opportunities may lie.

Speakers: Bruce Stout & Martin Connaghan, Murray International 

 

going global - showcase

10:45 – 11:25 | Going global

Panel session

In this session, investment company managers will discuss their approaches to global asset allocation, along with their outlook on where in the world to invest at the moment. 

Panellists:
Stuart Gray, Alliance Trust
James Hart, Witan Investment Trust
Paul Niven, F&C Investment Trust
Zehrid Osmani, Martin Currie Global Portfolio

emerging markets

11:30 – 12:10 | Can emerging markets deliver?

Panel session

In an atmosphere of rising interest rates and a global economic slowdown, emerging markets clearly face headwinds. In this session, panellists discuss the continuing appeal of emerging markets, as well as identifying the countries and sectors where they are finding the most attractive opportunities.

Panellists:
John Citron, JPMorgan Emerging Markets
David Cornell, India Capital Growth
Sam Vecht, BlackRock Frontiers 

 

Afternoon session

emerging - showcase

13:30 – 13:55 | The final frontier

This presentation explores the markets that haven’t made it to ‘emerging’ status yet, but hold vast potential. Emily Fletcher and Sam Vecht will examine the case for investing in frontier markets and explain how they select the best opportunities from a dazzlingly diverse range of different countries. 

Speakers: Emily Fletcher & Sam Vecht, BlackRock Frontiers  

 

private equity - showcase

14:00 – 14:40 | Beyond the public markets: the world of private equity

Panel session

Investment companies offer a rare opportunity for individual investors to access private equity. In this panel, managers from across the sector make the case for continued exposure to this important asset class, and explain how tougher economic times may provide them with interesting opportunities.

Panellists:
Luke Finch, HgCapital Trust
Helen Steers, Pantheon International
Steven Tredget, Oakley Capital Investments

 

green - showcase

14:45 – 15:25 | Yields of green: opportunities in renewable energy

Panel session

Investment companies focused on renewable energy and the environment offer the chance for investors to see their money making a difference with the potential for attractive growth or income. In this session we bring together investment companies that mitigate climate change while aiming to deliver an attractive income.

Panellists:
Michael Bonte-Friedheim
, NextEnergy Solar
Chris Gaydon, Octopus Renewables Infrastructure
Eduardo Monteiro, VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities 

Programme - Room 3

Morning session

why IC 2

10:15 – 10:40 | Pulling a Paxman: lessons from a decade of interviewing fund managers

This presentation by interactive investor’s Kyle Caldwell will look at key industry trends and how DIY investors might use the investment trust structure to their advantage. Kyle will also share his views on fund manager ‘skin in the game’; and having regularly interviewed Britain’s leading fund managers for more than a decade, Kyle will also share some anecdotes. What does a ‘good’ or ‘poor’ response to a tough question look like? 

Speaker: Kyle Caldwell, interactive investor 

 

portfolio - showcase

10:45 – 11:25 | Building an investment company portfolio

Panel session

In this session, analysts and other experts give their views on how to construct a portfolio with investment companies, as well as revealing what to look for when selecting investment companies.

Panellists:
Emma Bird, Winterflood Securities
Myrto Charamis, Berenberg
Peter Hewitt, CT Global Managed Portfolio  

 

boardroom - showcase

11:30 – 12:10 | Behind the scenes in the boardroom

Panel session

The independent board of directors is one of investment companies' key benefits. In this session some of these directors talk about what they do, the value they add to their investment companies, and provide insights into life in the boardroom. 

Panellists:
Rachel Beagles, Mercantile Investment Trust, Witan Investment Trust
Francesca Ecsery, F&C Investment Trust,
Aidan Lisser, Edinburgh Investment Trust, Henderson International Income, JPMorgan Emerging Markets 

 

Afternoon session

Money

13:30 – 13:55 | Delivering dividends in difficult times

In this presentation, Job Curtis, the manager of City of London Investment Trust, explains how he is seeking to deliver consistent income in turbulent markets and extend the investment company’s unbeaten 56-year record of dividend increases. 
 

Speaker: Job Curtis, City of London Investment Trust

something different

14:00 – 14:40 | And now for something completely different!

Investment companies offer exposure to a wide range of asset classes, including many that it is impossible for private investors to access any other way. This panel ventures off the beaten track, looking at some of the more unusual assets investment trusts invest in for growth or income. 

Panellists:
Mark Boggett, Seraphim Space
Steve Clark, Round Hill Music Royalty
Paulo Almeida, Tufton Oceanic Assets

VCT - showcase

14:45 – 15:25 | Going all out for growth: investing in VCTs

VCT managers and directors discuss how their investee companies are delivering exciting growth and the potential for strong financial returns

Panellists:
Mary Anne Cordeiro, Albion Technology & General VCT
Alexandra Lindsay, Maven Capital Partners
Jamie Roberts, YFM Equity Partners 

Speakers

Paulo Almeida

Jason Baggaley

Rachel Beagles

Emma Bird

Mark Boggett

Michael Bonte-Friedheim

Nick Brind

Georgina Brittain

Kyle Caldwell

Myrto Charamis

John Citron

Steve Clark

Martin Connaghan

Mary-Anne Cordeiro

David Cornell

Job Curtis

Francesca Ecsery

Luke Finch

Emily Fletcher

Chris Gaydon

Stuart Gray

James Harries

James Hart

James Henderson

Peter Hewitt

Alexandra Lindsay

Aidan Lisser

Kenneth MacKenzie

Eduardo Monteiro

Paul Niven

Sue Noffke

Zehrid Osmani

Robert Peston

Iain Pyle

Jamie Roberts

Ben Rogoff

Peter Spiller

Helen Steers

Bruce Stout

Steven Tredgett

Sam Vecht

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