Investment Uncut

We are building on the success of last year and are taking Investment Uncut on the road again, recording for the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) Investment Conference 2025 this week! If you’re attending the conference, we look forward to seeing you there. Today we cover day 1 of the conference, with interviews from: Laura Myers, Ed Bussey, David Rosenberg, Tim Dougall and Matthew W...

Australia’s superannuation system is often hailed as a global success story, but what can UK pension schemes learn from it? With growing regulatory pressures, consolidation trends, and a shifting investment landscape, are there lessons from down under that could help shape the future of UK pensions? In this episode, we speak with Michael Ambery of Standard Life to explore how Australia’s superfund...

What if the green transition – meant to save the planet – ends up making inequality worse? We often think of climate action as a universal good, but the reality is more complex. The shift to a low-carbon economy is set to create winners and losers, not just between industries, but within societies. So, who bears the cost? And how can institutional investors, ensure that tackling climate change doe...

In this episode, we speak to Paul Collier (Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford) on the subject of his latest book “Left Behind”. We explore the economic divides reshaping societies, why certain places have been left behind and what policymakers, regulators and investors do to help these communities catch up.

As we head into 2025, the economic landscape is shifting. In this episode, we break down the key macroeconomic themes shaping the year ahead. What does the growth trajectory look like amidst evolving global challenges? Will interest rates finally stabilise, or is more turbulence ahead? Inflation remains a pressing concern—are central banks winning the fight, or are we facing a new normal?

Are you happy? Do you think you’re happier than you were 20 years ago? Or, put a different way, why aren’t you happier despite living in one of the wealthiest periods in history? Three simple questions, but all of them have complicated answers. So how do we start to unpick this? In this episode, we dive into the world of happiness economics with Professor Lord Richard Layard. We explore the factor...

This week we are joined by two guests from the Border to Coast Pensions Partnership: Tim Manuel, Head of Responsible Investment and Teju Akande, Climate Change Manager. Before speaking to Tim and Teju, we also speak to LCP Partner Clay Lambiotte. We hear about how sovereign wealth funds are thinking about their investments, the recent conference Clay attended in Oman (where Elon Musk was the keyno...

In this episode, we speak to our very own Gen Z representative, Koko Lotharukpong, about how Gen Z investors will shape the future of investing! Before talking to Koko, we also speak to Michelle Thompson-Dolberry, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer at MFS. She explains how, when DEI is done well, it makes things better for everyone.

Elections can represent big shifts in political power that alter a nation's direction and economic policies, which influences investor sentiment and market returns. And we’ve arguably gone through the biggest election so far this year! So, what is the impact on investors of the US election result? In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Gibney (Head of Macroeconomic research at LCP) to discuss the p...

In this episode, we question the limits of modern portfolio theory with Jon Lukomnik, co-author of Moving Beyond Modern Portfolio Theory and credited by Forbes as a pioneer of modern corporate governance. We challenge a cornerstone of finance and whether it is fit for purpose in today’s complex and interconnected world.

In this week’s episode, we chat to Sam Hollister, Head of Energy and Policy at LCP Delta, on investing in the energy transition. Before we interview Sam, Jacob talks to Sarah Leslie, Professional Trustee at NDapt for our ‘Views from the Boardroom’ segment.

Steve Hodder, Partner at LCP, joins the hosts this week to chat reimagining your portfolio. Before we interview Steve, Laasya talks to Surendra Ravikumar, Analyst at LCP, on his new blog looking at deflation as a systemic risk and what the impact could be on defined benefit pension schemes.

In this episode, we bring you the highlights from our Investment Conference: Turning Turbulence into Tailwinds. Covering topics such as geopolitical instability, transition resources, the US election, purposeful investing, private markets and even astropolitics! We chat to guests and speakers to bring you the highlights of the conference, their key takeaways and new investment ideas.

In this preview, Jacob and Laasya set out what listeners can look forward to in the coming season: from markets, to elections, to Gen Z trends and even how to invest in a way that makes you happy… it’s going to be a great season full of exciting topics!

In our final episode of the series, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran speak to Charlotte O’Leary, CEO of Pensions for Purpose. She gives us a great insight into the assumptions we currently make in the world of investing that we need to challenge. Before this discussion, we reflect on our highlights over the series so far – discussing some of our favourite topics that were covered. We also have a cal...

In this week’s episode Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran are joined by two guests: Emma Hunt, head of Responsible Investment at HSBC Bank Pensions Trust and Stephen Barrie, Deputy Chief Responsible Investment Officer at the Church of England Pensions Board. Both guests give us a great insight into how long-term asset owners are thinking about systemic risks and universal ownership.

In this week’s episode, Jacob Shah chats to Joel Hartley, Partner at LCP, on tail risk strategies. Before we interview Joel, Jacob also talks to Steve Webb, Partner at LCP, to get his insights on how the new Labour government might want to influence how pension schemes invest in the UK.

In this week’s episode, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran chat to Catherine Thomas-Humphreys, financial coach at Maji. With Catherine we learn what financial coaching is, the benefits of financial coaching and some tips that listeners can use on their own financial journeys.

In this week’s episode, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran chat to Torsten Sløk, Partner and Chief Economist at Apollo. With Torsten, we discuss whether markets are currently in a bubble, how this is related to AI and inflation, and the current challenges being faced by central banks.

In this week’s episode, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran chat to Torsten Sløk, Partner and Chief Economist at Apollo. With Torsten, we discuss whether markets are currently in a bubble, how this is related to AI and inflation, and the current challenges being faced by central banks.

In this week’s episode, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran chat to Jackie James, co-founder and direction of Black Women in Asset Management. With Jackie, we talk about the landscape for Black women in asset management and the work that she and others are doing to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry. Before we interview Jackie, Laasya interviews Sapna Patel, Principal at LCP. Toget...

In this week’s episode, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran chat to Andy Blocker, Global Head of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships at Invesco. With Andy, we get the update from Washington on the key political and policy issues ahead of the US elections in November 2024. Before this Jacob talks to James Candia, Consultant at LCP, on the space economy. We find out what it is, what’s new about inve...

In this week’s episode, Mary Spencer and Jacob Shah discuss ethnographic research and identifying growth opportunities in emerging markets with Tassos Stassopoulos, Founder, Managing Partner and CIO at Trinetra.

In this episode, Mary Spencer, Jacob Shah and Laasya Shekaran get together to discuss Caroline Criado-Perez’s Invisible Women. They also chat about the importance of investors taking a long-term view with David Archer, Client Director at ZEDRA Governance.

In this week’s episode, Mary Spencer and Jacob Shah discuss election forecasts and keeping your finger on the pulse of society with Kelly Beaver, CEO at IPSOS. Before we interview Kelly, we also welcome back fellow co-host Laasya Shekaran from her three-month sabbatical. Laasya gives us her highlights from her trip, the biggest surprises and what she is most looking forward to now she’s home.