Stiamo lavorando a stretto contatto con la struttura ospitante sulle misure di sicurezza da Covid 19, per garantire un ritorno in sicurezza agli eventi fisici e ai momenti di convivialità che ci sono tanto mancati. I nostri protocolli di sicurezza sono in linea con le disposizioni nazionali in vigore al momento dell’evento e il nostro team di Delegate Liaison si metterà in contatto con i partecipanti nelle settimane precedenti all’evento per fornire tutti i dettagli in merito. Per maggiori informazioni, contattare delegateliaison@citywire.co.uk
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Citywire Middle East Retreat 2023
Welcome to the Citywire Middle East Retreat 2023 It is my pleasure to invite you to our annual Citywire Middle East Retreat on 14 - 15 March 2023, at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi. Our regional flagship event brings together leading fund selectors from across the Middle East for a day-and-a-half of intimate workshops with fund managers across several asset classes. Alongside the fund manager due diligence workshops, we will be joined by a panel of leading CIOs and a keynote speaker to discuss the most important investment trends in this uncertain market environment. To secure one of the limited places at this invitation only event, please register through the link. Citywire will provide travel and accommodation for the event if required. Best regards,
14 & 15 MARCH 2023
ROSEWOOD, ABU DHABI
#citywirE @CitywireME @citywiremiddleeast
Head of Relationship Management, Citywire Middle East ashafaamri@citywiremiddleeast.com
Ali Shafa-Amri
Head of European Research Email
Pietro Cecere
08:30 - 10:00 Registration 10:00 - 10:15 Welcome address 10:15 - 11:15 Panel Session 11:15 - 11:45 Fund Group Workshop 11:55 - 12:25 Fund Group Workshop 12:35 - 13:05 Fund Group Workshop 13:05 - 14:30 Lunch 14:30 - 15:00 Fund Group Workshop 15:10 - 15:40 Fund Group Workshop 15:50 - 16:20 Fund Group Workshop 16:30 - 17:00 Fund Group Workshop 19:30 - 20:00 Drinks reception 20:00 - 23:00 Dinner 07:30 - 08:30 Citywire Run 09:30 - 10:30 Conference session with Dareen Barbar 10:30 - 11:00 Fund Group Workshop 11:10 - 11:40 Fund Group Workshop 11:50 - 12:20 Fund Group Workshop 12:20 - 14:25 Buffet Lunch 14:25 Event close
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Workshops
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08:30 - 10:00 Registration 10:00 - 10:15 Welcome address 10:15 - 11:15 Panel Session 11:15 - 11:45 Fund Group Workshop 11:55 - 12:25 Fund Group Workshop 12:35 - 13:05 Fund Group Workshop 13:05 - 14:30 Lunch 14:30 - 15:00 Fund Group Workshop 15:10 - 15:40 Fund Group Workshop 15:50 - 16:20 Fund Group Workshop 16:30 - 17:00 Fund Group Workshop 19:30 - 20:00 Drinks reception 20:00 - 23:00 Dinner 07:30 - 08:30 Citywire Run 09:30 - 10:30 Conference session with Dareen Barbar 10:30 - 11:00 Fund Group Workshop 11:10 - 11:40 Fund Group Workshop 11:50 - 12:20 Fund Group Workshop 12:20 - 14:25 Buffet Lunch 14.25 Event close
Panel session
Outlook discussion - Saudi Arabia and beyond
14 MARCH | 10:15 - 11:15
CHAIR Sunil Singh, Editor, Citywire Middle East PANELISTS Dr. Mohammed Ishaq Ali, Head of Asset Management, Yaqeen Capital Shahjahan Mirza, Head of Asset Management, Saudi Fransi Capital Zaki Alawami, Chief Asset Management Officer, Alinma Investment
Fund Group Workshop:
Arnaud F. Mounier
Managing Director and Head-Fixed Income Business Development, EMEA
ETF - How to generate Alpha with Passive ?
Houda Ennebati
Head of Xtrackers and Passive mandates distribution MENA & France
2023, the return to grace of bonds
Gilles Seurat
Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, La Française AM
Neil Kansari
Senior Portfolio Manager & Research Analyst
Dareen Barbar
15 MARCH | 09:30 - 10:30
Unlocking Hidden Value in Emerging Markets through Engagement
Greg Konieczny
Head of Global Emerging Markets & Kunal Desai, Co-Portfolio Manager
Nicolò Bocchin
Global Head of Fixed Income
Hybrid Public & Private Fixed Income opportunities – offering higher yields and better valuations than in years
Terry Oh
Head of PIMCO Global Wealth Management for the UK and Middle East, PIMCO
Bonds: Should I go (long) or Should I stay (home)?
The evolution of the “40” within the 60/40 portfolio
Adam Castle, CFA
Partner & Portfolio Manager
Andrew Clifton
Portfolio Specialist
Global Value Investing: Does Opportunity Remain?
Ali Al-Ansari
Vice President, Account Manager, PIMCO
EM equities: we believe the time is now
Salman Siddiqui
Investment Manager, Global Emerging Market Equities
Fixed Income: Value from the Middle Segment - Convertibles and Hybrid Bonds
Capturing Alpha in an Evolving Cycle with High Yield Bonds
Yves Blechner
Portfolio Manager, Man GLG
Investing in Secular Growth in Times of Distortion and Doubt
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Dareen Barbar is a Motivational Speaker, Life Coach and an aspiring Athlete who lost her leg at the age of 15. She has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest Samson’s chair sit which is also known as a static wall sit, by a female contender. Dareen won the title after completing the sit for two minutes and 8.24 seconds, and the record also makes her the first female amputee to hold a Guinness World Record in the Middle East. The first Arab Amputee to participate and stepped onto the World stage after making history in the most glamorous events on the planet, the World, Beauty, Fitness and Fashion Show in London 2017.
Dr. Mohammed Ishaq Ali
Head of Asset Management, Yaqeen Capital
Shahjahan Mirza
Head of Asset Management, Saudi Fransi Capital
Global inflation has touched new highs in recent months, and a looming recession forecasted for 2023, makes the global economy’s future uncertain. Our distinguished panelists will discuss the most pressing issues of our time, delving deep into the asset allocation strategies they consider appropriate in current market conditions, as well as will provide a long-term roadmap of the opportunities for investors in the Saudi market.
CHAIR Sunil Singh Editor, Citywire Midddle East
Zaki Alawami
Chief Asset Management Officer, Alinma Investment
Mohammed Ishaq Ali Ph.D. is an investment management professional with a successful track record of over two decades predominantly developing asset management business, and managing investment funds across various asset classes, geographies, and risk spectrum. He is currently working as Head of Asset Management at Yaqeen Capital. Prior to that he was "Head of Equity" for ANB Capital, one of the leading asset managers in Saudi Arabia. Before joining ANB Capital, he worked as “Head of Equity Funds” for Al Rajhi Capital, Saudi Arabia. Before that, he served various organisations in different capacities during his long illustrious career. Dr. Ishaq has a proven track record of consistently delivering top-ranked performance and maintains a strong business relationship network. His expertise involves asset management business planning, formulation of investment strategy, asset allocation, portfolio construction and rebalancing, guiding investment research in financial modelling & quantitative analysis, structuring innovative investment solutions, and re-engineering of investment processes. He is well versed in the regulatory framework, shariah principles, and risk management, as applicable to the asset management industry. Dr. Ishaq also serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the University of Business & Technology, Saudi Arabia. He authored a book entitled "Security Analysis & Portfolio Management", published articles, and presented several papers at conferences and seminars on Islamic Finance and Investments. Academically, he holds a Ph.D. in Business Management and an MBA in Finance & International Business.
Shahjahan Mirza has over 20 years of experience in the asset management industry covering both public and private markets encompassing portfolio management, research, product development, structuring and advisory. A CFA charter holder and a graduate from the University of Toronto with a Bachelors' in Commerce & Finance.
Zaki Alawami is responsible for all of the company’s asset management functions, including portfolio investments and buy-side research. His career spans more than 15 years of varied experience in portfolio investment and buy-side research. Prior to joining Alinma Investment in 2013, Zaki served at portfolio investment and buy-side research departments for Global Investment House and Saudi Kuwaiti Finance House. Zaki holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and has also attended multiple strategy-level courses in prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School and INSEAD.
Workshop
Keshava Shastry
With the steepest inversion of the US yield curve since the early eighties and a growth slow down engineered by the US Central Bank, many investors could be tempted to keep their investments in safe, short-term deposits to avoid the kind of volatility they experienced in 2022. Now that inflation is showing early signs of normalization and the market has adjusted to tighter financial conditions, this presentation will make the case for not giving up on the upside that duration and credit valuations are offering. Using its flagship fund, American Income Portfolio, as case in point, AllianceBernstein will review in detail its positioning and how it is allocating across Fixed Income sectors to take advantage of this market environment.
Workshop objective: This workshop session will provide a deep-dive session into the American Income Portfolio fund, understanding the investment philosophy, current positioning and performance objectives of one of largest income-focused funds managed by AllianceBernstein. Company profile: AllianceBernstein is a leading investment-management firm with $646 billion in client assets under management, as of 31 December 2022. With a unique combination of expertise across equities, fixed-income, alternatives and multi-asset strategies, we aim to deliver differentiated insights and distinctive solutions to advance investors’ success. Across our global network, we’re fully invested in delivering better outcomes for our worldwide clients, including institutional, high-net-worth and retail investors. By embracing innovation, we seek to address increasingly complex investing challenges and opportunities. And we pursue responsibility at all levels of the firm—from how we work and act to the solutions we design for clients.
Keshava Shastry is a Managing Director and Global Head of Capital Markets for DWS managing trading eco-system partnerships and assisting clients in asset allocation implementation as well as the market structure and regulatory coordination. He joined Deutsche Bank Group in 2013 from Credit Suisse and was at BGI/Blackrock prior to that. He has been in the asset management industry for more than 10 years after trading various asset classes (fixed income, FX, derivatives) on the sell side. Keshava has a Masters degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Imperial College London and is a CFA charter-holder.
Global Head of Capital Markets
Sales representative
Eduard van Nes
Eduard van Nes is a Manager and Assistant Vice President of the EMEA Client Group. In this role, he is responsible for the firm’s clients in the Middle East region. Van Nes joined the firm in 2014 as an associate for Benelux Institutions. Previously, he worked for three years as a sales trader in derivative products at IG Group. Van Nes commenced his career as a consultant at SThree in 2009. He holds an MS in finance and risk management from the Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, and is a holder of the Investment Management Certificate (IMC). Location: Dubai
Manager – Middle East Clients
Arnaud Mounier is the Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income Business Development in EMEA. He relocated from Hong Kong, where he was head of Fixed Income Business Development for APAC, to Europe in 2022. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, Mounier was regional chief investment officer for AXA insurance companies across Asia ex Japan from 2010 to 2015, and director for structured credit at Crédit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong from 2007 to 2009. He started his career in 1999 at AXA Investment Managers Paris, where he held a variety of roles, including quantitative fixed-income analyst, high-yield portfolio manager and senior credit structurer. Mounier holds an MS in applied mathematics from École Nationale Supérieure d'Informatique et de Mathématiques Appliquées de Grenoble. Location: Paris
Stephane Masini
While equity and fixed income (specifically IG and HY) are well understood, what lies in the middle segment - convertibles and hybrid bonds - is less known. As decades specialist in those segments, Azimut finds these instruments compelling in today’s macroeconomic environment. The resurgence of inflation means exposure to rate sensitivity while creating an attractive environment for equities but where volatility remains high. The optionality embedded in convertibles, together with their low duration and positive yields, is an attractive mix for fixed income investors. Growth dynamics (risk of potential slowdowns and heightened cost of funding) may increase default rates toward the second half of 2023. Therefore, in the hunt for yield, priority should be given to hybrid bonds, both corporate hybrids and subordinated by the financial sector. They provide IG equivalent risk exposure, minimising default risk, with quasi-HY spreads.
Workshop objective: The workshop will provide insight on two fixed income instruments which deserve more space in a balanced asset allocation, given the benefit they provide in terms of diversification, potential returns adjusted for volatility and risk exposure. Company profile: Azimut Group, founded in 1989 and listed on the Milan stock exchange since 2004, is one of Europe’s leading independent asset managers. Azimut has AUM of $84.5bn across asset classes and markets, with investment capabilities in 18 countries. Azimut has more than 1,400 global employees, of which 170+ are investment professionals with an average of 20+ years of investment experience. Since 2010, Azimut has grown internationally, expanding to key markets such as the Middle East, China, Latin America, and US. Azimut has continuously broadened its investment offering, and today boasts unique products such as one of the world’s first hybrid bond funds, one of the world’s largest global sukuk funds, a private markets GP staking fund and ESG-compliant public and private markets funds.
Stephane is Head of Key Clients – MENA at Azimut. He has 24+ years of experience in the MENAT region in the investment management and private banking industry. He has held senior roles and board memberships in different local, regional, and international institutions, such as Bank of Singapore, Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai Holding’s Dubai Bank PJSC, and IS Investments. Stephane has been based in Dubai since 2005 and holds a Bachelor’s in Finance from Central Washington University, Seattle.
Head of Key Clients - MENA
Sales representatives
Maroun Jalkh
Maroun is the CEO of Azimut (ME) and Head of Institutional Sales Middle East and Asia. Maroun has 20+ years of experience in the private banking and investment management industry throughout various senior positions in Europe and the Middle East. Prior to Azimut, Maroun headed the European institutional sales for ABN AMRO wealth and asset management business. He also served as member of the Investment and Executive Committees. Maroun holds a Master’s in Finance from EM Lyon Business School.
CEO of Azimut (ME)
Nicolò is Senior Portfolio Manager and the Global Head of Fixed Income of Azimut Group. Nicolò has the responsibility of coordinating 20+ fixed income professionals across Azimut offices globally. Prior to joining Azimut, Nicolò worked for 16+ years at Aletti Gestielle in Milan, as Portfolio Manager in charge of the credit desk. Nicolò holds a BA in International Finance from the European School of Economics.
ETFs, or exchange traded funds, offer investors an efficient and cost-effective way to invest in various asset classes. The first ETF was launched in 1993, but the industry has really taken off since 2005 as it has become increasingly apparent that most actively managed funds do not outperform their benchmarks. There are various moving parts in the engine of ETF, all of which can contribute to outperformance against its benchmark. The efficiency of the portfolio management, tax considerations on dividends, returns from securities lending or swap enhancements can be very effective in ensuring this outperformance and making ETF even more attractive to investors.
Workshop objective: - Review of ETF market flows - Understanding the different ETF structures and sources of outperformance - Identify which exposures to consider for Alpha generation Company profile: Xtrackers ETFs by DWS is one of the world’s most established ETF providers. With a worldwide footprint and over €130 billion in assets under management in Europe alone (as at January 6, 2023) 1, Xtrackers is one of the largest Europe-based ETF providers. Xtrackers has an index tracking record going back over 20 years and offers over 180 ETFs on various asset classes, including equity, fixed income, money market, currencies and commodities. Xtrackers offers an established range of Core products providing efficient exposure to major equity and bond indices, as well as a growing range of Thematic and ESG (environmental, social and governance) focused funds. Xtrackers ETFs are listed on a number of stock exchanges across Europe, Asia, and in the US, and are supported by a range of market makers. 1: Source: DWS
Joe Kiwan
Joe joined DWS as head of sales for Middle East and Africa in Nov 2020. Prior to joining DWS, Joe spent 8 years at TOBAM - a quant specialized asset manager - were he led the business development activities in the Middle East, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. Joe graduated with a Master in Management from Audencia Business School and holds a BBA from Saint-Joseph University of Beirut.
Head of MENA Coverage
Houda Ennebati is responsible for the distribution of DWS Passive investments for MENA and France since 2012. Prior to her role at DWS, she held a position of Equity Sales at Deutsch Bank. She started her career in 2007 at Société General Investment Bank and spent 4 years in Program Trading. She holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Asset Management from Paris Dauphine University.
Husain Fekri
- EM – where we are in the cycle? - The importance of engagement with companies and real-life examples - GIB AM Philosophy and process
Workshop objective: - Understanding current investment opportunity in EM - Benefits from active engagement in EM that lead to enhanced returns for investors Company profile: GIB Asset Management (GIB AM) is an institutional asset manager, seeking to generate superior investment performance through deep integration of sustainability into investment decision-making and hence scale capital in support of sustainable development. Operating out of London and New York, GIB AM manages over $9bn of assets for investors across international jurisdictions, covering both active and passive investment strategies. The investment firm provides a focused set of differentiated, forward-thinking solutions for institutional investors. www.gibam.com
Husain is a Manager for Middle East Business Development at GIB Asset Management. He is responsible for managing and growing relationships with institutional investors across the Middle East. Husain joined the firm in 2018 as an analyst across Strategy, Business Development and Equity Investment Management. He then joined the Business Development team, focused on growing the firm’s assets and wider profile. Husain’s experience spans a vast number of Middle Eastern institutional investors, fulfilling complex and bespoke requirements across Equities, Fixed Income and sustainable investment strategies. Husain graduated from the University of Leeds with a BA in Management, followed by an MSc in Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He is currently undertaking Level 2 of the CFA qualification.
Manager – Middle East Business Development
Kunal Desai
Kunal is Co-Portfolio Manager for Global Emerging Markets Equities at GIB Asset Management. Kunal has over 10 years of experience in investing in Emerging and Frontier Markets, having most recently been a Partner at Mobius Capital Partners. Prior to Mobius Capital Partners, he was the Lead Manager of the award-winning Neptune India Fund as Head of Indian Equities, and also served as a portfolio manager on the Neptune Global Emerging Markets Fund. Kunal graduated from Oxford University with a first-class degree in Economics and Management and is a CFA Charterholder.
Co-Portfolio Manager for Global Emerging Markets Equities
Greg is the Head of Global Emerging Markets Equities at GIB Asset Management. Greg has nearly 30 years of emerging markets investing experience. Most recently he was a founding partner of Mobius Capital Partners after spending over 20 years at Franklin Templeton, where he co-managed the Emerging Markets Group as Director of Specialty Strategies, alongside leading the emerging markets Active Ownership group and Private Equity strategy. Greg graduated with MSc in Foreign Trade from the University of Gdansk.
US inflation has peaked. The US dollar is weakening. Emerging markets are set to enjoy an economic growth premium over developed markets as the Fed hits the brakes on the US economy. Historically, during periods of heightened growth differential, emerging markets equities have strongly outperformed. Meanwhile, China has re-opened - unleashing a wave of pent-up demand. During the lockdowns, household savings in China increased by US$5 trillion (equivalent to 1.5 times the annual GDP of the UK). That’s a lot of potential for revenge spending! Some investors have already taken notice, with 2023 kicking off with the biggest flows into emerging markets ever. Salman Siddiqui will talk about the hunt for ‘supercompounders’ in one of the world’s most dynamic and demographically advantaged asset classes.
Workshop objective: Learn about the catalysts that could support emerging markets equities this year and the key attributes to look for when searching for ‘supercompounding’ companies for both conventional and Sharia’-compliant strategies. Company profile: Jupiter is a specialist, high conviction, active asset manager. We exist to help our clients achieve their long-term investment objectives. From our origins in 1985, Jupiter now offers a range of actively managed strategies available to UK and international clients including equities, fixed income, multi-asset and alternatives. Jupiter is a constituent member of the FTSE 250 Index, and has assets under management of £47.4bn /$53.0bn /€54.0bn as at 30/09/2022. Independence of thought and individual accountability define us. Our fund managers follow their convictions and seek those investment opportunities that they believe will ensure the best outcome for our clients. They do this through fundamental analysis and research, a clear investment process and risk management framework, with a focus on good stewardship. www.jupiteram.com
Richard Hooper
Richard joined Jupiter in 2015 and is responsible for the firm’s client engagement and asset raising efforts across the Middle East and Africa markets covering both Wholesale and Institutional channels. Prior to Jupiter, Richard was a Regional Director covering the UK, Ireland and South Africa markets for SEI Investments and Reech CBRE. Richard holds a BSc in Economics & Environmental Policy from the London School of Economics and an EMBA from EHL, Switzerland.
Director – Middle East, Africa & Australia
Salman is an Investment Manager in the Global Emerging Market Equities team. He joined Jupiter in July 2020. Before joining Jupiter, Salman worked at Merian Global Investors as a portfolio manager in the global emerging markets equity team. Prior to this, he was a fund manager at Nomura Asset Management where he worked as lead portfolio manager on Emerging Frontier, Africa and MENA funds. He has over 20 years’ experience, including 5 years with Deloitte in Audit and Corporate finance. Salman started his career as a capital markets analyst at Citigroup in 2001. Salman is a Chartered Accountant and has a degree in Philosophy, Politics & Economics from Oxford University.
Philippe Lecomte
In 2022, we witnessed historical market corrections. All asset classes posted negatives performances. Reading and interpreting economic data is a precursor to effective asset allocation. François Rimeu, senior strategist, will share his read of economic indicators and provide market insight for the coming six months. With disinflation likely to continue, we expect to see lower interest rates and economic growth projections revised upwards, all of which are supporting factors for credit markets. In 2023, we expect bond markets to rally!
Workshop objective: In the scenario described above, which sub asset classes of the fixed income segment stand to benefit the most. Company profile: Environmental and societal challenges are opportunities to consider the future. The group uses its capacity for innovation and its client centric technology to design investment solutions that bridge performance and sustainability. Organized around two business lines, financial and real estate assets, La Française serves institutional and retail clients in France and abroad. La Française manages €49 billion in assets and has operations in Paris, Frankfurt, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Seoul and Singapore. (31/12/2022) La Française is a subsidiary of Caisse Régionale du Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe (CMNE), a member of Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale.
Philippe began his career with Invesco France in 1991. He was Director of Development for Invesco France and Director of Western Europe & Global Distribution for Invesco Continental Europe. In 2003, Philippe joined Schroder IM France as Managing Director and was Head of Global Financial Institutions Business for Schroder IM London from 2005 to 2012. In 2012, Philippe joined La Française.
CEO, La Française AM Finance Services
Gerardo Duplat
Gerardo has 17 years of experience in the asset management industry, beginning in 2005 with BBVA Colombia and thereafter with BAREP AM in Paris. In 2006, he joined ADI Alternative Investments as International Sales Manager (Spain & Italy). Gerardo joined La Française in 2009. Gerardo holds a Master of Finance and Strategy from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris.
Head of Business Development - Middle East, Europe and LATAM, La Française
Gilles Seurat, Fixed Income Portfolio Manager at La Française AM, has seventeen years of experience in the asset management industry. He began his career with La Française des Placements in 2006 as an Alternative Investment Fund Analyst. Thereafter, following the merger between La Française des Placements and UFG, Gilles was promoted to Alternative Investment Fund Manager. In 2011, he was named Multi Asset (including Fixed Income) Portfolio Manager, with a specialization in foreign exchange. Gilles is an engineer from Mines Saint-Etienne and holds a master’s degree in actuarial science from the Institute of Financial Science and Insurance in Lyon.
The evolution of the “40” within the 60/40 portfolio.
Frank Paone
In a new regime where dispersions remain elevated across credit sectors, implementing a dynamic, multi sector approach to portfolio construction could be an optimal approach to implement core diversified credit exposure through a cycle.
Workshop objective: Discuss how we construct multi sector portfolios and normalize risk across asset classes. Discuss the alpha levers we pull on and how we actively rotate the strategy. Company profile: Lord Abbett is an independent, privately held, employee owned Global Asset Manager whose sole focus is Asset Management. Founded in 1929, we have continued to evolve our investment led proposition to serve our global client base effectively. We were the first Multi Sector Credit investor dating back to 1971 and have been managing solutions for clients in this space for over 50 years. This philosophy has become the core foundation on how we think about and manage credit portfolios for clients across the capital structure. Clients have entrusted us with $200bn of capital which we actively invest across capital markets.
Frank heads the strategic direction of Lord Abbett’s international business, which includes sales & client service efforts. In this role, he leads Lord Abbett’s dedicated Global Investor Services team. Frank joined Lord Abbett in 1998 and was named Partner in 2013. He previously served as Director of Institutional Investor Services. He earned a BS in Economics from Boston College.
Partner, Head of Global Investor Services
James Savastano
James is responsible for leading and managing the strategic direction of Lord Abbett's MEA Institutional & Wholesale businesses. Previously he served as VP at Lazard covering MEA Institutions. He holds a BA in Global Business from USW, a Charter from CISI and has passed the IMC & Level 2 of the CFA Program. He is also a member of CFA Institute & CFA Society Emirates.
Senior Executive Officer, Head of MEA
Adam Castle, CFA, is responsible for contributing to the management for the firm’s fixed income strategies with a focus on securitized credit and specialty finance. He manages our ABS & CLO team. Adam joined in 2015 and was named Partner in 2022. He previously served as VP, Securitized Products in the investment bank at Credit Suisse and AVP Securitized Assets at Alliance Bernstein. Adam has worked in the industry since 2008.
James Taylor
We'll present our award-winning, peer group leading unconstrained high yield bond strategy and discuss how our active bottom-up fundamental approach is ideally suited to take advantage of market stress and dislocation.
Workshop objective: Introduce portfolio manager Yves Blechner and Man GLG’s flagship discretionary global high yield strategy. Company profile: Man Group is a global, technology-empowered active investment management firm focused on delivering alpha and portfolio solutions for clients. Headquartered in London, we manage $138.4 billion* and operate across multiple offices globally. Man Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. Man GLG is a part of Man Group and is a leading discretionary fund manager that delivers absolute return and long-only investment strategies across asset classes, sectors and geographies. The team of over 100 professionals manage a range of investment strategies on behalf of our clients, covering equities and credit. *As at 30 September 2022. www.man.com
James joined Man Group in 2016 and has responsibility for existing client relationships as well as expanding Man Group’s presence across the region. James holds a BA in Politics and Spanish from Birmingham University. James is a CAIA charterholder.
Sales Director, Middle East
Berk Gurhan, CAIA
Berk joined Man Group in 2020. Berk was formerly responsible for Middle Eastern client coverage at Aberdeen Standard Investments in Abu Dhabi. Prior to that, Berk held relationships management roles at Alliance Bernstein and Robeco. Berk holds a BCom in Finance from Concordia University and a MSc.
Yves Blechner is a Portfolio Manager and a member of the Global High Yield and Credit Opportunities Team at Man GLG. Yves joined Man GLG in 2019 from Deutsche Bank, where he was a director in the principal special situations credit team in global credit trading. Prior to this, he worked at BlackRock for four years, where he held the position of director in the European fundamental credit team. Yves graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2004.
We believe Fixed Income is offering some of the best investment opportunities that we have seen in years. Yields are among the highest in decades and spreads have widened to very attractive levels. This may be the time for those sitting on the sidelines to consider getting back in. In this presentation, we will explore a new strategy that combines PIMCO’s deep experience in income-oriented credit investing with our extensive sourcing capabilities in private credit markets.
Workshop objective: To learn about the investment opportunities between public and private debt. Company profile: PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income. With our launch in 1971 in Newport Beach, California, PIMCO introduced investors to a total return approach to fixed income investing. We remain firmly committed to the pursuit of our mission: delivering superior investment returns, solutions and service to our clients. Active Management We take an active approach to fixed income investing – one in which we express high conviction views without allowing any single risk to dominate returns. Over our 50 year history, we have found this helps us to deliver positive outcomes for investors and avoid outsized risks that may be inherent in passive approaches. Tested Process We have a proven ability to help investors navigate shifting investment conditions – including times of market stress. Honed over decades, our process has helped millions of investors manage risks and pursue returns over meaningful time periods. Culture of Innovation Financial markets are changing rapidly and it is crucial for investors to adapt. That is why innovation is part of the fabric of our culture. Importantly, we develop solutions based on investors’ needs and investing opportunities – not on near-term asset raising potential. And we invest in top technology, tools and resources to help them succeed.
Mr. Oh is an executive vice president and head of PIMCO’s global wealth management business in the U.K. as well as the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Previously at PIMCO, he has worked closely with sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and other institutional investors in EMEA, as well as multinational banks. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2011, he was an associate at TradeRisks, a corporate finance firm providing independent advice, financing, and risk management solutions. He has 12 years of investment experience and holds a master's degree in finance from the London Business School and an undergraduate degree from the University of Oxford. He is also a CFA charterholder.
Mr. Al-Ansari is a vice president and account manager in the London office. Prior to joining PIMCO in 2019, he worked for three years in private placements and research for Ark Capital in Dubai and London. Previously, he ran a construction and design business in the Middle East. He also worked in Deutsche Bank's Middle East foreign exchange/fixed income team from 2008–2011, covering corporates, institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. He holds a master's degree in finance from London Business School and an undergraduate degree in economics and land economy from Cambridge University.
The past 18 months have been challenging for growth investors, with volatility wreaking havoc on stock prices and on business operations. This has caused many investors to doubt the earnings growth prospects for certain industries and businesses. While the environment has been challenging, we don’t think it’s derailed three key elements that we view as important for long-term equity investors: 1) secular change that can underpin above-average earnings growth, 2) the importance of earnings growth for long-term stock returns, and 3) the merits of selectivity. We’ll discuss where we see opportunity today and tomorrow for Shariah-compliant investors, and how we seek to find businesses that we believe are best positioned to benefit over the long term.
Workshop objective: Discuss the market environment, key secular growth trends, portfolio construction concepts, and investment ideas. Company profile: Sands Capital is an active, long-term investor in leading innovative growth businesses, globally. Our approach combines analytical rigor and creative thinking to identify high-quality growth businesses that are creating the future. Through an integrated investment platform spanning venture capital, growth equity and public equity, we provide growth capital solutions to institutions and fund sponsors in more than 40 countries. Sands Capital is independent, staff-owned firm founded in 1992 with offices in the Washington, D.C. area, London, and Singapore. Sands Capital managed $43.8 billion in client assets as of December 31, 2022.
Neil Kansari is a Research Analyst and a Co-Portfolio Manager of the Sands Capital Global Shariah, Emerging Markets Growth, and Emerging Markets Discovery strategies. Mr. Kansari joined Sands Capital in 2008 as a Research Analyst on the Global Industrials Sector Team. Mr. Kansari earned a BA from the University of Mumbai, an MS from the University of Virginia, and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.
Managing Director, Business Development & Client Relations
Michael Gibb
Mr. Gibb heads Sands Capital’s Singapore office and leads all business development and client relations efforts in the Asia/Pacific region. Prior to joining Sands Capital in 2020, Mr. Gibb held senior roles at Fidelity International and Martin Currie Investment Management, among others. Mr. Gibb earned an MA from the University of Aberdeen and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh.
The Value recovery has proven to be more pronounced and durable than many investors expected, and question if it can be sustained and whether opportunities remain. Andrew Clifton will provide his assessment of the current market environment and key factors that could shape the Investment landscape from here. He will discuss where the Global Value Equity Fund is currently finding the most attractive opportunities, and the philosophy and process that has allowed it to successfully navigate a generally unfriendly market since its inception over a decade ago.
Workshop objective: An appreciation of what has driven the value recovery and its likelihood of continuing; an understanding of the philosophy and positioning of the T. Rowe Price Global Value Equity Fund. Company profile: T. Rowe Price was founded in 1937 by Thomas Rowe Price, Jr. and is an independent, listed asset manager. Our focus is on delivering long-term performance for our global clients across a broad range of active equity and bond strategies. Our long-term success is due to a strong research-oriented culture, which helps us to identify the most promising investments around the world. We are a global company with offices in 17 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Our assets under management of USD 1,274.7(1) billion are spread across a wide range of investment strategies. We employ 7,868 people worldwide, including 943 investment professionals including 409 research professionals. Our business strategy is focused on delivering strong long-term performance. This is assisted by our considerable organisational and financial stability and experience in all types of market conditions. (1) As at 31 December 2022
Sofia Din
Sofia Din is the Principal Representative and Director for Middle East and Africa. Sofia's industry experience began in 2007 when she joined T. Rowe Price, beginning in the EMEA Distribution division. Sofia earned a postgraduate diploma in statistical science from University College London and a B.Sc. (with honors) in management and systems science from City University London, Cass Business School.
Principal Representative and Director for Middle East and Africa
Andrew Clifton is a portfolio specialist in the Equity Division. Andrew’s investment experience began in 1990, and he has been with T. Rowe Price since 2010, beginning in the Investment Specialist Group. Prior to this, Andrew was employed by UBS as an executive director at Global Asset Management. Andrew also was a vice president at Merrill Lynch. Andrew earned a B.Sc. in economics from the London School of Economics and an M.Sc. in econometrics from the University of Southampton.
Senior Manager for Middle East and Africa
Siham Benali
Siham Benali is a Senior Manager for Middle East and Africa. She began her career in consulting at Chappuis Halder in Paris, before transitioning to the Wealth & Asset Management industry. First as project leader to the COO at Meeschaert Gestion Privée then as relationship manager at BMCE Capital Gestion Privée.
