Morning session
10:15 – 10:40 | Big on Japan
Warren Buffett’s foray into Japan this year attracted worldwide attention. Nicholas Weindling of JPMorgan Japanese explains the attractions of the world’s second-largest stock market.
10:45 – 11:25 | Looking east
Panel session
Home to well over half of the world’s population, Asia is just too big for equity investors to ignore. Our panel of experienced investment company managers discuss where they are looking for growth, their outlook for China and the impact of more challenging trading conditions.
Panellists:
Ben Durrant, Pacific Horizon Investment Trust
Gabriel Sacks, abrdn Asia Focus
Ian Hargreaves, Invesco Asia Trust
Moderator: Annabel Brodie-Smith, AIC
11:30 – 12:10 | Opening up private equity
Panel session
Many private equity investment companies trade at deep discounts to NAV despite excellent long-term records. These companies offer diversified access to an asset class that is normally off-limits to private investors. Our panel explains why private equity might deserve a place in your portfolio.
Panellists:
Pascal Casavecchia, NB Private Equity Partners
Richard Hickman, HarbourVest Global Private Equity
Patrick Knechtli, abrdn Private Equity Opportunities
Moderator: Katya Gorbatiouk, London Stock Exchange Plc
Afternoon session
13:30 – 13:55 | Emerging opportunities
Carlos von Hardenberg of Mobius Investment Trust reveals what investments in his portfolio of emerging and frontier market companies he’s most excited about
14:00 – 14:40 | Innovation nation
Panel session
Venture capital trusts (VCTs) offer the chance to back British businesses that start off small but could make it big. They offer generous tax reliefs, such as a 30% upfront income tax break. Our panel considers how the risks and rewards of VCTs stack up.
Panellists:
Alexander Crawford, Calculus VCT
David Hall, British Smaller Companies VCT
Stuart Veale, ProVen VCT
Moderator: Richard Stone, AIC
14:45 – 15:25 | Where in the world?
Panel session
For investment company investors, the world is your oyster: you can invest globally, in any region or choose from a number of single country funds. But what’s the right balance between the UK and Europe, North America and Asia, developed and emerging markets? Global equity managers give their perspective.
Panellists:
Julian Bishop, Brunner Investment Trust
James Cook, JPMorgan Global Growth & Income
Peter Ewins, The Global Smaller Companies Trust
Moderator: John Baron, Investor Chronicle columnist
