Asia’s funds industry gets together on April 24-26 for this year’s FundForum Asia conference, a chance to discuss and debate the issues facing the industry.
Returning once again to the JW Marriott hotel in Hong Kong, FundForum Asia offers a platform for asset managers, custody banks, fund administrators and all the auxiliary firms that support the industry to meet, make connections and share information.
As always, the conference organisers have put together a comprehensive three-day agenda that covers a range of issues affecting those who buy and sell funds.
China will be widely discussed. A special one-day forum on the first day of the conference will see panellists debate the best strategies for raising assets in mainland China, why and how to establish a wholly foreign-owned entity there, the investment behaviour of Chinese private bank clients, and the possibility that China’s increasingly liberalised capital markets will become a meaningful part of global benchmarks.
Another one-day forum will examine the future of fund distribution. Will robo-advisers displace the traditional channels through which funds are sold in Asia? Does a growing distrust of the commission-based model signal a shift in how asset managers must interact with distributors? The conference will not shy from answering the tricky, conceptual questions either – delegates will be asked to consider if the line between asset and wealth managers, and the distinction between portfolio managers and relationship managers, is blurring.
Below,
Funds Global Asia has made a shortlist of the most interesting sessions that are due to take place over the three days. For the full agenda, please visit the
FundForum Asia website.
MONDAY, APRIL 24
Asset management mavericks in conversation: rethinking the model for Asian asset management and aligning interests for a more sustainable future08:40 – 09:25Grand PlenaryParticipants: Andy Brown, investment director, Prudential Portfolio Management Group; Jason Hsu, chairman & CEO, Rayliant Global Advisors; Saker Nusseibeh, CEO, Hermes Investment Management; Andy Agathangelou, founding chair, The Transparency Task Force; JB Beckett (moderator), UK lead, APFI
Finding success in mainland China: a how-to guide for asset managers11:00 – 11:40China ForumParticipants: Ko Tseng, board director, BOB Scotia International Asset Management; David Zhang, head of global asset allocation, HNW Family Office; Jelle Vervroon, CEO, HFT Investment Management; Richard Tang, CEO, ICBC Credit Suisse Asset Management; Albert Teoh, managing director of China business, Value Partners, Michael Wittich (moderator), Greater China and NE Asia head, investors, Standard Chartered
Shifting nature of advisory: discussing regulatory changes, a growing distrust of the commission-based model and how tech is enabling a new form of wealth management11:40 – 12:20Next Gen Distribution ForumParticipants: Julian Schillinger, co-founder and CTO, Prive Managers; Marc Lansonneur, managing director, Head of Managed Solutions and Investment Governance, DBS; Richard Lepere, CEO, Fund Channel; Arjan de Boer (moderator), private banking expert
Cracking the China conundrum: what does is take for a global firm to be successful in China and identifying the most suitable access solution for your business12:20 – 13:00China ForumParticipants: Jung Ho Rhee, president & CEO, Mirae Asset Global Investments (HK); Amy Cho, CEO Asia-Pacific, Pictet Asset Management; Scott McLaren (moderator), head of Hong Kong, Brown Brothers Harriman
Let’s talk selection: implementing real change in the selection process, what that will mean for the end-user and is robo the answer?15:40 – 16:30Next Gen Distribution ForumParticipants: JB Beckett, UK lead, APFI; Steven Seow, principal and head of wealth management, Asia Investments, Mercer; Alex Ypsilanti, CEO and co-founder, Quantifeed; Matthias Weber, CIO, iFund Services
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
A view from the regulator: ensuring the industry’s integrity whilst allowing innovation to thrive08:30 – 08:55Grand PlenaryParticipant: Christina Choi, executive director of investment products, Securities and Futures Commission
Seeking profit: can fund managers build attractive Asian business?10:20 – 11:00Leaders’ Business ForumParticipants: Daniel Celeghin, managing director, Deloitte; Lennie Lim, managing director and regional head, Asia, Legg Mason Global Asset Management; Ajai Kaul, CEO Asia Pacific, AllianceBerstein; Andrew Lo, senior managing director and CEO, Invesco Asia Pacific; Eric Mogelof, managing director, PIMCO Asia Pacific; Rene Buehlman, head of Asia, UBS Asset Management; Alan Isenberg, head of strategy and business management, Asia-Pacific, Pimco; Eugenie Shen (moderator), managing director, head of asset management group, ASIFMA
ESG/SRI - a new theme for Asia? Will Asian investors adopt a more ethical approach to investing, what are the returns predictions and do asset managers ignore this trend at their peril?14:00 – 14:40Investment Strategy ForumParticipants: Sébastien Cabanel, head of sales Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas Investment Partners Singapore; Karine Hirn, partner, East Capital Group; Giles Gunesekera, CEO, Global Impact Initiative; Iryna Drobysheva, director and ESG specialist, Asia, RBC Wealth Management
The future shape of pension planning in Asia: assessing the opportunity for asset managers as government schemes shift from DB to DC14:40 – 15:20Leaders’ Business ForumParticipants: Peng Chen, CEO, Dimensional Fund Advisers; Jeff Chang, chairman, Cathay Securities Investment Trust; Dan Waters (moderator), managing director, ICI Global
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
Global economic perspective: a new US administration, Brexit, the Fed – what’s the global picture?09:30 – 10:00Grand PlenaryParticipants: Andy Xie, economist
Beyond Asia – a practical guide: what should Asian asset managers consider when setting up in Europe in the light of changing regulation and political upheaval?14:15 – 14:45Leaders’ Business ForumParticipants: Stuart Alexander, co-founder and CEO, Gemini Investment Management
Levelling the playing field: can technology serve as the great leveller in an increasingly polarised financial services industry?12:40 – 13:15Future Finance ForumParticipants: Steve Monaghan, regional director, AIA; Janos Barberis, founder, FinTech HK & SuperCharger; Charles d’Haussy, head of fintech, Invest Hong Kong; Graham Chan (moderator), investment and insurance expert
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