ALASTAIR WHITFIELD
Investment and Treasury Management, IQUW
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Transforming investment operations in the London Market: lessons from Lloyd’s : 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
ALEXANDER BUCK
Group Treasury Dealer, Bupa
I’m Alex, the Treasury Dealer at Bupa, where I’ve been working for 6 years now. I’m a chartered accountant for the Institute of Chartered Accounts of England & Wales, and recently passed the CFA Level 1 exam. My knowledge of the company over the years has led to me being involved in all aspects of Treasury from our segregated mandates, to actuarial analysis of our risk appetites, all the way to our Accounting for investments, intercompany arrangements, and FX hedging portfolio.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: Overcoming treasury constraints on SAA: how can treasury and ALM work together to maximise return on capital? : 11:20 AM - 1:00 PM
ALI KARAKUYU
Executive Director, Insurance Debt Advisory, BBVA CIB
Ali Karakuyu is a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, working in BBVA Corporate & Investment Banking’s (CIB) Insurance Debt Advisory team. Ali is part of the broader Advisory division under BBVA’s CIB Investment Banking & Finance business covering a broad range of (re)insurance companies across Europe and Bermuda.
At BBVA (CIB) Ali helps (re)insurers to optimise their capital structure and funding solutions keeping in mind the expectations of regulators, shareholders, ratings agencies and other key stakeholders.
Previously, Ali held a key role at S&P Global Ratings in the UK as Director and Lead Analyst in the insurance practice, where he was the global analytical lead for the firm’s insurance capital model criteria and contributed significantly to the development of insurance rating methodologies. Prior to that Ali held various actuarial roles including the U.K. Government Actuary’s Department.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Treasury functions and capital: stress testing and scenario analysis to balance risk and reward : 9:20 AM - 10:00 AM (Moderator)
ANDREW PUTWAIN
Managing Editor, Clear Path Analysis
Andrew Putwain is the Managing Editor of Clear Path Analysis’s two market website Insurance-Investor.com and FundOperator.com. He joined the company in early 2022, and prior to that was an oil market journalist for I.C.I.S, part of Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions Group, focusing on the Middle Eastern/North Africa and CIS regions. Other previous roles include Editor at Reactions, part of Euromoney, and on the editorial team at Axco Insurance Information Services. He has also had positions at NS Media, HennikGroup, The Institute of Civil Engineers Publishing and ESG Investor
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - CHAIR’S OPENING ADDRESS : 9:15 AM - 9:20 AM (Moderator)
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Disruptive trends in financial modelling: mastering liquidity in the face of changing technology such as AI and machine learning : 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Moderator)
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Navigating inflation and rate swings: how to optimise cash management and returns in a volatile market : 11:40 AM - 12:20 PM (Moderator)
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: Overcoming treasury constraints on SAA: how can treasury and ALM work together to maximise return on capital? : 11:20 AM - 1:00 PM (Moderator)
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: Choosing the right Treasury Management System: tailoring solutions to your needs : 1:50 PM - 2:40 PM (Moderator)
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Regulatory arbitrage: identifying opportunities and risks in solvency, capital and liquidity requirements across multiple jurisdictions : 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM (Moderator)
BOB TYLEY
Head of Credit Risk, Hymans Robertson
Bob Tyley is Head of Credit Risk in Hymans Robertson’s UK Insurance & Financial Services practice. He is an investment industry veteran with deep experience of global credit and interest rate markets. Having worked in the leading investment banks, insurance companies and consultancies, he has wide experience of implementing ESG, ALM, SAA, and IMV activities along with risk and capital modelling and optimisation for insurance companies.
An area of particular focus currently is the impact of Solvency II UK Reform and its implications and challenges in enabling insurers to invest in a wider range of long-term productive assets.
Bob is a Technical Specialist of the Institute of Risk Management and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, as well as being a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Regulatory arbitrage: identifying opportunities and risks in solvency, capital and liquidity requirements across multiple jurisdictions : 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Using AI to manage private credit portfolios: how investors can overcome issues arising from the lack of available data and credit ratings. : 1:50 PM - 2:15 PM
CHRIS PALMER
Former Interim Chief Investment Officer, Medical Protection Society, Senior Advisor, AlphaReal
Chris is a senior advisor to AlphaReal, the secure income asset manager and also a consultant to a number of UK infrastructure and social housing investors. He was previously Head of Illiquid Assets Origination at Phoenix Group plc, before that Head of Market Risk, Credit at Swiss Reinsurance (where he was also CIO and trustee of the UK Pension Fund) and a credit portfolio manager at Legal & General, Old Mutual Asset Managers and Allied Irish Banks.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and a fellow of the London Institute of Banking & Finance. He is Chair of Sporting Wellness, a charity that supports young sportsmen and sportswomen across the UK.
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: Regulatory reforms: the practical implementation and reporting challenges : 9:20 AM - 10:00 AM
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Navigating inflation and rate swings: how to optimise cash management and returns in a volatile market : 11:40 AM - 12:20 PM
CRISTINA MELENCHON
Senior Content Producer, Clear Path Analysis
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - CHAIR’S OPENING ADDRESS : 9:15 AM - 9:20 AM (Moderator)
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: Regulatory reforms: the practical implementation and reporting challenges : 9:20 AM - 10:00 AM (Moderator)
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: AI and machine learning, its use in your portfolio operations: portfolio optimisation, shortcomings and misunderstandings around its use : 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Moderator)
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Strategies for streamlining holistic decision making and improving operational efficiency in a highly competitive market : 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (Moderator)
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Transforming investment operations in the London Market: lessons from Lloyd’s : 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM (Moderator)
DAMIEN LE GUILLOU
Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Bpifrance Investissement
My session title:
- PANEL DISCUSSION: Beyond spreadsheets: the panel’s view on the future of investment operations and compliance and preparing for regulatory shifts, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making : 3:05 PM - 3:40 PM
DIPESH VARSANI
Fund Manager, M&G Investments
Dipesh is an experienced manager that focuses on solutions spanning multiple investment products. He is the primary Fund Manager of the M&G (Lux) Sterling Liquidity Fund and also provides liquidity and short term funding solutions and advice to internal clients on physical credit. Dipesh also covers various aspects of foreign exchange, cash and collateral and has previous experience of market execution. Dipesh joined the business in 2005 as a graduate and has been with the team since 2010. He is a CFA Charterholder.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PRESENTATION: The liquidity sweet spot: finding the optimal level of liquidity for your organisation’s goals and the efficient frontier : 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
DREW PRICE
Head Capital Reporting & Analytics, Swiss Re
Drew Price is the Head of Capital Reporting & Analytics at Swiss Re, where he oversees all aspects of capital reporting for the group. With over three decades of experience in the financial sector, Drew has led teams in developing and implementing advanced financial systems, improving control environments, and accounting for complex transactions. His recent work includes designing a comprehensive application for collecting and managing capital positions.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Disruptive trends in financial modelling: mastering liquidity in the face of changing technology such as AI and machine learning : 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
FEARGHAS MACGREGOR
Principal and Head of GI Capital Modelling & Strategy, Barnett Waddingham
Fearghas provides support for a range of general insurance clients, with a focus on capital modelling, internal model validation, model use, and insurance strategy.
He has over ten years’ experience in capital modelling for general insurance and has worked on internal model development and approval, and major model change applications with both PRA and Lloyd’s.
Fearghas brings expertise in embedding capital modelling techniques to wider risk management and business decision making processes, and in explaining technical and statistical information to senior stakeholders.
He also works directly with Insureds, advising on insurance and risk mitigation strategies and leading work with captive insurers.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Regulatory arbitrage: identifying opportunities and risks in solvency, capital and liquidity requirements across multiple jurisdictions : 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
GAURAV AGGARWAL
Chief Commercial Officer, Indus Valley Partners
Currently works as a Chief Commercial Officer and heads the product strategy at Indus Valley Partners.
In addition, Over 14+ years Gaurav has also advised and closely worked with over 35+ Buy Side Asset Managers on Digital Transformation initiatives across Front, Middle and Back Office and helped funds define and deliver Strategic platform objectives including process re-alignments.
Prior to joining IVP, Gaurav spent initial years with SAP Labs, on market risk management offering for investment institutions and thereafter with Citi India on development of Operations and Transaction banking platforms.
Gaurav graduated from University of Delhi, India with Majors in Information Technology
My session title:
- INDUSTRY INSIGHT SESSIONS - 11.40 – 12.05 Industry Insight session 1 Data Maturity with GenAI: Data Strategy, Reference Architecture, and Adoption Blueprint : 11:40 AM - 12:05 PM
HUA CHAI
Head of Systematic Solutions – Alternatives, Aberdeen Investments
Hua Chai is an Investment Manager on the Alternative Investment Solutions team at Aberdeen Investments. He leads Systematic Solutions and is a portfolio manager for the Aberdeen Investments Eclipse hedge fund index range. Prior to joining Aberdeen Investments in 2019, Chai worked as a quantitative trader and analyst at a London-based quantitative hedge fund. Chai has a BSc in Mathematics and an MSc in Finance from the University of Bath, and a Masters in Finance from the London Business School. He is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: AI and machine learning, its use in your portfolio operations: portfolio optimisation, shortcomings and misunderstandings around its use : 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
IGOR TESINSKY
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Intellibonds / IBT Technologies
Igor is a technology enthusiast and a senior research analyst who spent the last 15 years working on the sell side and buy side in corporate lending and fixed income investment management. Igor has a master degree in Finance from London Business School and a postgraduate degree in Business from the University of Economics.
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Using AI to manage private credit portfolios: how investors can overcome issues arising from the lack of available data and credit ratings. : 1:50 PM - 2:15 PM
KAY REINHOLD
Group Treasury & Capital Management, Vienna Insurance
Kay Reinhold works in Group Treasury & Capital Management at Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), where he is responsible for leading the development of the Group’s capital management framework. With almost two decades of experience in insurance risk and treasury functions and a strong background in actuarial and financial mathematics, he focuses on capital allocation, liquidity planning, and its alignment with internal and external requirements. Kay is a certified actuary (DAV) and a member of the German Society for Insurance and Financial Mathematics (DGVFM). He holds a Diplom in Business Mathematics from the University of Ulm and a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining VIG in 2010, he worked in management consulting for the insurance sector.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Treasury functions and capital: stress testing and scenario analysis to balance risk and reward : 9:20 AM - 10:00 AM
KEITH VIVERITO
Managing Director, EMEA , Clearwater Analytics
Keith is the Managing Director, Head of EMEA for Clearwater. Prior to joining Clearwater, Keith held executive and senior leadership positions at several high growth technology companies including BlackRock, where he led the EMEA business development function for the “Aladdin” business.
Prior to BlackRock, Keith was a Managing Director at IHS Markit where he held a wide range of responsibilities and made significant contributions to the growth of several of the software and services businesses acquired by the firm, with an emphasis on investment management and expansion across EMEA.
Keith has over two decades of technology and data experience and has also held senior leadership roles at other prominent fintech companies, including Thomson Reuters, Tradeweb and FactSet.
Keith holds an M.B.A. from DePaul University Chicago and a B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
My session title:
- PANEL DISCUSSION: Beyond spreadsheets: the panel’s view on the future of investment operations and compliance and preparing for regulatory shifts, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making : 3:05 PM - 3:40 PM
LAUREN MCDERMOTT
Director, Insurance Solutions, Loomis, Sayles and Company
Lauren McDermott is a Director within Insurance Solutions at Loomis, Sayles & Company, where she is responsible for business development and relationship management with insurance companies in the United States, the Bermuda offshore markets and EMEA region. She joined Loomis Sayles in 2022 and has 18 years of investment industry experience. Prior to Loomis Sayles, Lauren held a number of positions that drove third party insurance asset growth. Most recently, Lauren was director of insurance client solutions at Aviva Investors, where she developed new business within the insurance and hospital/healthcare markets. Previously, Lauren was at Brown Brothers Harriman, as the head of Business Development and led their strategic efforts, with an emphasis on growth within the insurance market. Prior to that, she was a director within Global Business Development at Barings. In that position, she served as a key member of the insurance team responsible for building and expanding a broader set of capabilities to serve their growing client base across life, property & casualty, health and re-insurers. Lauren began her career on the sell-side in fixed income sales for Bear Stearns. She earned a BS from Georgetown University.
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Strategies for streamlining holistic decision making and improving operational efficiency in a highly competitive market : 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
MARIA LONG
Head of Operational Due Diligence and Risk Management Advisor, ORC
Maria's expertise includes implementing resilient investment programs, fund manager selection and the application of global best practice standards. She is also recognized as an ESG, investment governance and digital assets due diligence specialist.
Prior to her role as Research and Content Director at SBAI, where Maria lobbied global regulators on emerging regulation and was responsible for authoring a number of industry white papers, Maria has held senior positions with Man FRM, as both Head of Middle Office Accounting and as an Operational Due Diligence specialist. Other roles include Accounting Operations Manager at Northern Trust, as well as investment operations positions with Unigestion and Thames River Capital hedge funds, where she was responsible for trade execution, valuations and client reporting.
As a member of the SBAI's Working Groups on Digital Assets and Responsible Investment, Maria actively engages in shaping industry standards. Her academic background includes a first-class Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences (Astronomy and Cosmology). Maria is a frequent panellist and speaker at financial services forums, showcasing her thought leadership.
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Strategies for streamlining holistic decision making and improving operational efficiency in a highly competitive market : 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- INDUSTRY INSIGHT SESSIONS - 12.05 – 12.30 Industry Insight session 2 Operating frameworks for scaling : 12:05 PM - 12:30 PM
MARK GILLAN
Head of Investment Operations, Scottish Widows
Mark is responsible for the product management and day-to-day operation of the AJ Bell Investment team’s range of multi-asset funds, model portfolios and ancillary investment services. He has over 10 years’ experience in global custody, platforms and investment operations in both the retail and institutional spaces.
My session title:
- PANEL DISCUSSION: Beyond spreadsheets: the panel’s view on the future of investment operations and compliance and preparing for regulatory shifts, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making : 3:05 PM - 3:40 PM
MATTHEW MOORE
Chief Operations Manager, Lloyd’s Treasury and Investment Management
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Transforming investment operations in the London Market: lessons from Lloyd’s : 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
MATTHEW WARDLE
Portfolio Manager, Asset Backed Securities, M&G Investments
Matthew joined M&G Investments in September 2006 on the Fixed Income graduate rotation program and began working on the ABS portfolio management desk in September 2007.
Matthew is the primary portfolio manager on the team’s flagship pooled high grade fund as well as a number of other segregated mandates and funds in the investment grade ABS space and also supports other members of the team on non-investment grade portfolios.
Matthew has a BSc in Economics from the University of York and is a CFA Charterholder.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PRESENTATION: The liquidity sweet spot: finding the optimal level of liquidity for your organisation’s goals and the efficient frontier : 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
NATALIA ROUDAKOVA
Head of Back Office, Treasury and Investment Accounting, Allianz Belgium
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - FIRESIDE CHAT: Choosing the right Treasury Management System: tailoring solutions to your needs : 1:50 PM - 2:40 PM
NOEL HILLMANN
Chief Executive Officer, Clear Path Analysis
My session title:
- CHAIRMAN'S OPENING ADDRESS : 9:10 AM - 9:15 AM
PAUL HATFIELD
Executive Chairman and Interim CFO, Intellibonds / IBT Technologies
Paul has over 30 years of experience in the credit markets and is Executive Chairman and CFO of IBT Technologies, a portfolio optimisation SaaS business. Paul was Global CIO of Alcentra, overseeing $46bn of assets across loans, bonds and structured credit and ran Alcentra’s US business from 2008-2010 and again from 2013 – 2014.
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Using AI to manage private credit portfolios: how investors can overcome issues arising from the lack of available data and credit ratings. : 1:50 PM - 2:15 PM (Moderator)
ROB KNIGHT
Managing Director, RRAK Advisory and Global Ambassador, Global Council for Responsible AI, RRAK Advisory
Rob Knight is a consulting Managing Director who specialises in operations and regulations. She is also a NED on the Board of East London Business Alliance and special advisor to two California based start-ups. Rob’s unique professional background spans successful leadership roles within large international businesses, leading teams in Asia, Europe, India, UK and USA. She was Head of Global Business Services at Barings (subsidiary of MassMutual), sitting on the firm’s Operations Leadership Team, Pricing Committee and Client Asset Oversight Working Group. Her global teams supported investment strategies for USD 280B+ of private and public assets. She has a keen interest in automation and data science to create more efficient and scalable workflows.
Rob served as Chairperson for the UK Investment Association’s Trade & Transaction reporting Committee until 2022, where she contributed to engagement with European and UK regulators. Prior to joining Barings, Rob led the fiduciary management team for Citigroup – Asset Management Unit in London.
In 2007 Rob co-founded the award-winning Barings’ See The Possibilities student programme for university and college students. This program introduces students to the financial services industry, while opening doors to entry level Analyst roles.
She holds a MBA, the CFA UK: Investment Management Certificate, and is a member of the Chartered Governance Institute
My session title:
- PANEL DISCUSSION: Beyond spreadsheets: the panel’s view on the future of investment operations and compliance and preparing for regulatory shifts, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making : 3:05 PM - 3:40 PM (Moderator)
SONIA ALONSO
Investment Operations and Compliance Manager, Convex
Sonia Alonso is a transformation-focused investment operations leader with over 15 years’ experience across insurance, asset management, and commercial banking. At Convex Insurance, she oversees a $6bn+ portfolio and leads strategic initiatives in data, compliance, and operational efficiency, having joined from RBC Global Asset Management (UK), where she served as Head of Investment Operations. Sonia is recognised for her innovative approach to operational excellence and her thought leadership in investment operations transformation.
She holds dual BAs in Business Administration and Management (Universidad de Burgos, Spain) and in Political Sciences (UNED, Spain). Sonia is also certified by CFA UK with the Impact Investment and Climate & Investing Certificates, holds the CFA Institute’s Certificate in Sustainable Investing, and the CISI Investment Operations Certificate (IOC), demonstrating her strong commitment to professional development in the investment operations field.
My session title:
- INVESTMENT OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE, & REPORTING FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Strategies for streamlining holistic decision making and improving operational efficiency in a highly competitive market : 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
SUNITA THORNTON
Head of Investment Operations, Just Group
My session title:
- PANEL DISCUSSION: Beyond spreadsheets: the panel’s view on the future of investment operations and compliance and preparing for regulatory shifts, digital transformation and data-driven decision-making : 3:05 PM - 3:40 PM
WILLIAM ARRATA
Asset Liability Manager, Banque de France
William Arrata is an Asset & Liability Manager at Banque de France’s Financial Directorate. He is in charge of devising optimal investment strategies, in EURO and currencies, for Banque de France non monetary policy investment portfolios. Before that, he worked at the Reserves Management Division, actively managing an AFS portfolio of bonds, money market securities and fixed income derivatives. He also started the Quantitative Easing Programme for Banque de France. He has been teaching for more than 10 years Quantitative Portfolio Management at ESSEC Business school’s Master in Finance in France, and he occasionally publishes on topics related to monetary policy in the euro area. He is an Associate Actuary and CFA Charterholder.
My session title:
- TREASURY MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL RISK FORUM - PANEL DISCUSSION: Treasury functions and capital: stress testing and scenario analysis to balance risk and reward : 9:20 AM - 10:00 AM
