The solution to slowing global growth lies in a new way of thinking, said Stephanie Kelton, a leading Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) scholar at Stony Brook University and senior economic advisor to presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders.
Low for ever, a risen China and climate change, are just some of the 10 changes set to sweep through the investment industry in the next 10 years, said Cyrus Taraporevala, president and chief executive of State Street Global Advisors. In his opening speech to 85 asset owners from 20 countries responsible for a combined $9 trillion assets under management at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Harvard University, Taraporevala described a brave new world where only the fittest survive.
“We take the S in ESG very seriously,” said John Adler, mayor’s trustee and advisor to the other mayoral appointees at New York City’s $200 billion five retirement systems. Speaking at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Harvard University, Adler highlighted the critical role investors play in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring a just transition as the global economy adapts to the implications of climate change.
The conference started with a tour of Harvard University, with Conference proceedings taking place at Harvard Kennedy School.
Brexit holds profound implications for European pension funds, said Matti Leppälä, secretary-general and chief executive, PensionsEurope speaking at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium in Cambridge.
There is no certainty to how the United Kingdom’s Brexit drama will play out and the country faces a perfect storm, said Professor Mike Kenny, professor of public policy, University of Cambridge speaking at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium.
The 13th Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Cambridge University brought together more than 70 asset owners from 15 countries to discuss investment opportunities and risk. With a focus on geopolitical and portfolio risk the event saw discussion on the first day centre around asset owners responsibility to engage with policymakers, the integration of ESG and the sustainable development goals as well as barriers to long term investing.
Thinking and acting long-term and holding their service providers to account on long-term risk behaviours and measures, is one of asset owners’ most enduring challenges. Speaking at the Fiduciary Investors Symposium at Cambridge University a panel of experts highlighted important tools asset owners can deploy to ensure they stay focused on the long-term.
Long-term infrastructure investors need to engage with the public and do much more to build trust in the value of their capital, said Brett Himbury, chief executive, IFM Investors (Australia), the global infrastructure manager, owned by 27 leading pension funds with $120 billion AUM.
Last year the $191.1 billion Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) increased its allocation to bonds to 31 per cent, up from 22 per cent in 2017.
