SBAI Podcast

In this episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Stuart White, Board Director at the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), Executive Director – Business Development at Impax Asset Management, and former CEO of HSBC Global Asset Management (UK). Drawing on more than 25 years in investment management and pensions, Stuart reflects on governance, long-term asset allocation and the evolving role o...

In this bonus episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Jonathan Dimson, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company in London, for a focused discussion on how ageing populations are reshaping public spending priorities across Europe. Jonathan explains why demographic change is a slow-moving but profound challenge, with Europe shifting from a model where around two working-age people support every one no...

In this episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Jonathan Dimson, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company in London, where he leads the firm’s defence work across Europe. Jonathan explores the rapidly evolving European defence landscape, from the shifting tone at the Munich Security Conference to the growing gap between the clarity of US strategy and the more cautious, less coordinated approach acro...

In this episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Richard Tomlinson, Chief Investment Officer of Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI), to discuss what it takes to build a modern institutional investment organisation in an increasingly complex global environment. Richard reflects on the creation and evolution of LPPI as part of the UK’s local government pension pooling initiative, sharing...

In this episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Leda Braga, Chief Executive Officer of Systematica Investments, and Ben Dixon, the firm’s General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. Together, they explore one of the least understood but most consequential parts of operational risk: how investment managers define, manage and report trade errors. Leda reflects on the evolution of transparency ex...

In this episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Chantal Berendsen, Partner and Senior Hedge Fund IDD Analyst at Albourne Partners, and Richard Lowther Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Integral ILS, to explore the fascinating world of insurance-linked securities (ILS). Chantal and Richard explain how ILS offers diversification benefits due to its low correlation with traditional capital markets...

In this episode, SBAI’s Brian Digney is joined by Ben Gedye and Josh Madeiros from K2 Credit to explore the rising role of portfolio credit insurance as a risk management tool in private credit and debt markets. As traditional banks scale back lending, private asset managers are stepping in — and with that shift comes the need for sophisticated ways to hedge credit risk. Ben and Josh explain how n...

In this episode of the SBAI podcast, Brian Digney sits down with Mike Butcher, Head Underwriter for Europe and Financial Institutions Underwriter at K2 International to explore the specialised insurance policies available for asset managers. The discussion covers key areas of coverage, including directors and officers, errors and omissions, crime, cyber, and employment practices liability, and hig...

This episode is part of the ongoing SBAI and Morgan Lewis Regulatory Compliance podcast series, co-hosted by Christine Ayako Schleppegrell, Partner at Morgan Lewis, and Brian Digney, Research and Content Director at the SBAI. This collaboration offers timely insights into global regulatory developments affecting the alternative investment industry. In this episode, the discussion covers: - The SEC...

In this episode of the SBAI podcast, Brian Digney sits down with Nic Miller from Aedile Consulting to explore the evolving cyber threat landscape facing asset managers. With a background at GCHQ and extensive experience advising investment firms, Nic breaks down the most pressing cybersecurity risks and misconceptions — from the real impact of opportunistic attacks to the limitations of outsourcin...

In this episode, Ryan McNelley, Managing Director and EMEA Portfolio Valuation Leader at Kroll, joins Brian Digney, Research and Content Director at the SBAI, to discuss the evolving landscape of private market valuation from the perspective of the independent valuation agent. Their conversation covers: Valuation Matters – Even for Illiquid Assets: Interim valuations influence investor decisions,...

In this episode, Jean-François Mauvis , former Head of Operational Due Diligence (ODD) at Pantheon Ventures, joins Brian Digney , Research and Content Director at the SBAI, to discuss the evolving role of ODD practitioners and the findings from the SBAI’s recent ODD practices survey. The conversation explores: • How ODD teams within investors are resourced and who they report to. • The shift from...

This is the inaugural episode from the newly launched SBAI and Morgan Lewis Regulatory Compliance podcast series. It is co-hosted by Christine Ayako Schleppegrell, Partner at Morgan Lewis and Brian Digney, Research and Content Director at the SBAI.   This new collaboration aims to provide valuable insights into regulatory developments impacting the alternative investment industry.  In this episode...

In this episode, Mario Therrien, the former Chair of the SBAI and Head of Investment Funds at CDPQ, reflects on his tenure, while Jane Buchan, CEO of Martlet Asset Management and the new SBAI Chair, shares her vision for the future. Hosted by Brian Digney, Research and Content Director at the SBAI, this conversation covers: The evolution of the SBAI over the past four years, including its global e...

In this episode, Jean-François Mauvis, former Head of Operational Due Diligence (ODD) at Pantheon Ventures, joins Brian Digney, Research and Content Director at the SBAI, to share his expert insights into how ODD practitioners assess investment manager valuation practices in private markets. The discussion covers: The impact of different asset classes and fund structures on valuation risk profiles...

In this episode, Nicolas Roth, Managing Director and Head of Private Markets Advisory at UBP, shares his insights on private markets from an investment practitioner's perspective. Hosted by Brian Digney, Research and Content Director at the SBAI, the discussion explores: Valuation challenges in private markets. The impact of economic shifts, including rising interest rates. Emerging opportunities...

Michael Cappucci (Managing Director for Sustainable Investing, Harvard Management Company), David Gulkowitz (COO, DSC Meridian Capital) and Pierre Lenders (Head of Sustainability, Capital Fund Management) discuss sustainability and its impact in alternative investments, including the role that derivatives and short positions play in managing GHG-Emission risk and supporting the climate transition....

In this podcast episode from our Founder series, Mario Therrien (SBAI Chair and Head of Investment Funds and External Management, CDPQ) is joined by Wayne Cohen (President and Chief Operating Officer of Sculptor Capital Management) whose firm is one of the founders of the SBAI. They look back at how it all started and how the industry is evolving. They discuss the SBAI, private and public markets,...

In this  episode from our Founder series, Poul Winslow (until recently Global Head of Capital Markets and Factor Investing at CPP Investments and an SBAI Trustee) is joined by SBAI Trustee Stuart Fiertz (President of Cheyne Capital – one of the founders of the SBAI) to look back at how it all started and how the industry is evolving. They discuss the SBAI, the case for alternatives, ESG and more....

In the first of our Founder series podcasts, one of our newest Trustees Paula Volent (CIO of Rockefeller University) is joined by our Deputy Chair Luke Ellis (CEO of Man Group – one of the founders of the SBAI) to look back at how it all started and how the industry is evolving. They discuss the SBAI, where to find alpha, diversity and more. About the SBAI: We are an active alliance of asset manag...

Alvin Fan (CEO, OPIM) and Mark Smith (Principal and Head of Business Development, Northwest Investment Management) discuss all things China in episode 4 of the SBAI Podcast series. Discussion topics include how the market has changed as well as both the opportunities and the risks.   About the SBAI: We are an active alliance of asset managers and allocators dedicated to responsible practice, partn...

Mario Therrien (SBAI Chair; Head of Investment Funds and External Management, CDPQ) and Dame Amelia Fawcett (Lead Independent Director, State Street Corporation), discuss diversity from the perspectives of a board member and an institutional allocator. The discussion focuses on why culture and diversity are important and the role of board members and allocators in helping to improve culture and di...

Sara Razmpa (Director, Head of Responsible Investment, Portfolio Manager, Equities, Unigestion) and Rob Sachs (Head Of Business Development, Whitebox Advisors LLC) touch upon producing carbon footprints for firms and portfolios, the state of ESG data, and the frequency and content for investor reporting.   About the SBAI: We are an active alliance of asset managers and allocators dedicated to resp...

Barbara Bernstein (Chief HR Officer, Magnetar Capital) and Amanda Cherry (Director of HR, Aspect Capital) discuss measuring and evidencing the culture of a firm - a difficult concept that many alternative investment firms are currently grappling with. Also covered is the shifting cultural focuses due to the pandemic, and some practical tips on forming an inclusive culture in the workplace.   About...