3:30pm – 5:15pm
Overview – Monday – May 18
TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
Complimentary transfer service
5:15pm – 5:45pm
REGISTRATION AND CANAPES
5:45pm
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
6:00pm – 7:15pm
TOO DARN HOT: GROWTH | DEFENSIVE AND MEMBER OUTCOMES
The introduction of heatmaps and member outcome tests for superannuation funds has caused industry-wide alarm. It reignites the growth defensive debate and adds to existing concerns about peer awareness. This session details the industry coordinated solution to the growth defensive classification challenge.
7:15pm
CONFERENCE CLOSE - DAY ONE
7:15pm – 9:30pm
Day 2 – Tuesday – May 19
9:00am – 9:10am
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
9:10am – 10:10am
POWER AND POWERLESS: A MULTI-POLAR WORLD
Globalisation and now potential deglobalisation, massive workplace upheaval and human migration, unfathomable capital flows and technological whiplash, have confronted people worldwide with seemingly existential questions about the efficacy and resilience of institutions, the social contract, and the future of the planet. Despite unprecedented increases in well-being globally, in almost all indicators, there has been a profound fraying of optimism, cohesion, and equity. And, the very people charged with fixing the problems are the ones who seem to have caused them – the global establishment. This session looks at what history can teach us about dislocation and fragmentation, about when trust in institutions and elites is lost, and about the repercussions from feelings of powerlessness.
10:10am – 10:40am
CENTRAL BANK HEGEMONY: ASSET ALLOCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT
In the aftermath of the GFC the Federal Reserve and ECB provided capital market liquidity and cut interest rates to unprecedented levels to stimulate growth and in turn changed the nature of capital market pricing efficiency. For investors seeking robustness, a margin of safety and a conservative asset allocation these are unchartered waters. This session considers the market risks for fiduciary investors in a period of altered market structure and heightened peer awareness.
10:40am – 11:10am
MORNING TEA
11:10am – 12:10pm
TRADE WARS ARE CLASS WARS: CHINA AND RISING INEQUALITY
Today’s trade conflicts are caused by governments promoting the interests of elites at the expense of workers. This keynote session traces the origins of today’s trade wars to decisions made by politicians and business leaders in China, Europe, and the United States over the past 30 years. It shows how the class wars of rising inequality are a threat to the global economy and international peace, and what we can do about it.
12:10pm – 1:00pm
EM AND CHINA: LOCAL PRODUCTIVITY VS. GLOBAL INSTABILITY
China and emerging debt and equity markets are seen as bastions of growth and investment opportunity for investors. This panel session explores how emerging markets should be differentiated from China across criteria such as sectors, economic cycles, currencies and judicial process. It will also cover the likelihood that China and the emerging markets offer diversification in the event of a financial market crisis.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
LUNCH
2:00pm – 2:45pm
UNLISTED, UNCORRELATED AND UNCLEAR: UNCOVERING HIDDEN VOLATILITY
As abundant capital makes it less imperative to list assets it naturally follows that a range of attractive opportunities can be sourced in private markets. This session considers the role of unlisted assets in portfolios, the challenges of pricing, the liquidity risks and the potential for international currency hedging problems.
2:45pm – 3:45pm
STEWARDSHIP IN AN AGE OF POPULISM
The world is experiencing a change in demographics, the social contract and technology that alters the nature of the debate and public discourse. In the age of transparency, generational inequality and social media outrage how do asset owners create the leadership culture that will resonate with a bifurcated society?
3:45pm – 4:15pm
AFTERNOON TEA
4:15pm – 5:00pm
CREATING A LEGACY: BUILDING CULTURE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAMS
The All Blacks are a team that transcends Rugby Union and is known throughout the world for its flair, entertainment, talent and success. This fireside chat looks at what it’s like to build and preserve that culture and what investors can do to mirror elements of the teamwork, accountability and decision-making needed to become the world’s best.
5:00pm
TRANSFER FROM THE HYDRO MAJESTIC TO LILIANFELS
5:00pm
CONFERENCE CLOSE - DAY TWO
6:30pm – 9:30pm
OFFICIAL CONFERENCE DINNER
Darley’s Restaurant, 5/19 Lilianfels Ave, Katoomba NSW 2780
Day 3 – Wednesday – May 20
7:30am – 9:00am
SPONSOR ONLY BREAKFAST
7:30am – 9:00am
ASSET OWNER BREAKFAST
9:00am – 9:10am
WELCOME
9:10am – 10:00am
INVESTMENT THEMES IN A PASSIVE WORLD: ACTIVE IDEA GENERATION
A decade long policy of central bank stimulus has produced distorted financial markets with passive vehicles and systematic trading dominating the equity markets. These factors have led to questions about market efficiency, the margin of safety, liquidity and the fragility of the market. This session considers the challenges posed by the economic narratives at play and the investment approach required for the next decade to come.
10:00am – 10:45am
DEAD ON ARRIVAL: WHAT’S NEXT FOR FACTORS
The performance of many alternative risk premia strategies has disappointed investors. Many strategies that claimed to offer broad diversification across distinct economic drivers and market neutrality didn’t deliver. Is factor investing dead, or do investors need to recalibrate their expectations for the performance of risk premia strategies?
10:45am – 11:15am
MORNING TEA
11:15am – 11:30am
ESG INSIGHTS AND THE RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT MANAGER
A lack of clarity around ESG criteria, the risk of "greenwashing" and subjective interpretations of a manager’s culture can obfuscate an asset owner’s ability to understand whether an investment team and approach meets expectations. This session hopes to decipher the fact from the fiction with global insights.
11:30am – 12:00pm
NATURE’S CASINO: QUANTIFYING ESG CONCERNS
Alongside qualitative appraisals of good governance, the fiduciary investor is asked to consider the empirical connotations of sustainability, good governance and social wellbeing. This session explores the methods used with catastrophe bonds and other investment vehicles in ascribing a price in order to allow markets to allocate resources.
12:00pm – 12:30pm
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: A BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
Assisting investors with the design, development and deployment of intellectual property can be a transactional or a collaborative process. This case study covers the advantages and challenges of an asset owner building an internal team and entering into a strategic partnership with an asset manager. It will explore the decision by First State Super to internalise their systematic investment capability and the provisions for research, modelling and system support.

Vis Nayar
12:30pm – 12:45pm
CASE STUDY: AIEF AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
The AIEF Scholarship Program is designed to assist young indigenous students with the confidence, networks and experiences that will support a career in financial services. This session explores some of these success stories and what domestic fiduciary investors can do to enable greater uptake of roles within their organisation from indigenous candidates.
12:45pm – 1:30pm
LUNCH
1:30pm – 2:00pm
POSITIVE ENERGY: INNOVATIONS IN RENEWABLE POWER
The stone age didn’t end because society ran out of stones but rather because new technology arose and usurped the status quo. The same will surely happen to fossil fuels once a better source of energy has been proven. This session looks at the world-class research of Australian universities in developing cleaner energy and the role of fiduciary investing in facilitating the adoption of these processes.
2:00pm – 2:20pm
FOOLS GOLD: MAKING SENSE OF DIGITAL LEDGERS AND CRYPTO-CURRENCY
Physical cash continues to decline in usage as governments seek to reduce some of the antisocial connotations with paper currencies. To replace this gap and to facilitate new types of digital transactions social media companies, commercial banks and central banks are exploring a range of modern settlements. This session considers the applications available, the potential efficiencies and the investment opportunities associated with these new technologies.
2:20pm – 3:00pm
INTERNATIONAL ASSET OWNER: FIRESIDE CHAT
This conversation will look into inner workings on forming and implementing capital market views, decision making and driving and implementing innovation within teams and portfolios. The session will also discuss the chief investment officer’s market philosophy, how to build a portfolio and where to find or create alpha in the next decade.
3:00pm
CONFERENCE CLOSE
3:15pm
TRANSFER FROM THE HYDRO MAJESTIC TO SYDNEY CITY AND AIRPORT
Day 1 – Monday – May 18
3:30pm – 5:15pm
TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT TO THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
Complimentary transfer service
5:15pm – 5:45pm
REGISTRATION AND CANAPES
5:45pm
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
6:00pm – 7:15pm
TOO DARN HOT: GROWTH | DEFENSIVE AND MEMBER OUTCOMES
The introduction of heatmaps and member outcome tests for superannuation funds has caused industry-wide alarm. It reignites the growth defensive debate and adds to existing concerns about peer awareness. This session details the industry coordinated solution to the growth defensive classification challenge.
7:15pm
CONFERENCE CLOSE - DAY ONE
7:15pm – 9:30pm
Day 2 – Tuesday – May 19
9:00am – 9:10am
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
9:10am – 10:10am
POWER AND POWERLESS: A MULTI-POLAR WORLD
Globalisation and now potential deglobalisation, massive workplace upheaval and human migration, unfathomable capital flows and technological whiplash, have confronted people worldwide with seemingly existential questions about the efficacy and resilience of institutions, the social contract, and the future of the planet. Despite unprecedented increases in well-being globally, in almost all indicators, there has been a profound fraying of optimism, cohesion, and equity. And, the very people charged with fixing the problems are the ones who seem to have caused them – the global establishment. This session looks at what history can teach us about dislocation and fragmentation, about when trust in institutions and elites is lost, and about the repercussions from feelings of powerlessness.
10:10am – 10:40am
CENTRAL BANK HEGEMONY: ASSET ALLOCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT
In the aftermath of the GFC the Federal Reserve and ECB provided capital market liquidity and cut interest rates to unprecedented levels to stimulate growth and in turn changed the nature of capital market pricing efficiency. For investors seeking robustness, a margin of safety and a conservative asset allocation these are unchartered waters. This session considers the market risks for fiduciary investors in a period of altered market structure and heightened peer awareness.
10:40am – 11:10am
MORNING TEA
11:10am – 12:10pm
TRADE WARS ARE CLASS WARS: CHINA AND RISING INEQUALITY
Today’s trade conflicts are caused by governments promoting the interests of elites at the expense of workers. This keynote session traces the origins of today’s trade wars to decisions made by politicians and business leaders in China, Europe, and the United States over the past 30 years. It shows how the class wars of rising inequality are a threat to the global economy and international peace, and what we can do about it.
12:10pm – 1:00pm
EM AND CHINA: LOCAL PRODUCTIVITY VS. GLOBAL INSTABILITY
China and emerging debt and equity markets are seen as bastions of growth and investment opportunity for investors. This panel session explores how emerging markets should be differentiated from China across criteria such as sectors, economic cycles, currencies and judicial process. It will also cover the likelihood that China and the emerging markets offer diversification in the event of a financial market crisis.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
LUNCH
2:00pm – 2:45pm
UNLISTED, UNCORRELATED AND UNCLEAR: UNCOVERING HIDDEN VOLATILITY
As abundant capital makes it less imperative to list assets it naturally follows that a range of attractive opportunities can be sourced in private markets. This session considers the role of unlisted assets in portfolios, the challenges of pricing, the liquidity risks and the potential for international currency hedging problems.
2:45pm – 3:45pm
STEWARDSHIP IN AN AGE OF POPULISM
The world is experiencing a change in demographics, the social contract and technology that alters the nature of the debate and public discourse. In the age of transparency, generational inequality and social media outrage how do asset owners create the leadership culture that will resonate with a bifurcated society?
3:45pm – 4:15pm
AFTERNOON TEA
4:15pm – 5:00pm
CREATING A LEGACY: BUILDING CULTURE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAMS
The All Blacks are a team that transcends Rugby Union and is known throughout the world for its flair, entertainment, talent and success. This fireside chat looks at what it’s like to build and preserve that culture and what investors can do to mirror elements of the teamwork, accountability and decision-making needed to become the world’s best.
5:00pm
TRANSFER FROM THE HYDRO MAJESTIC TO LILIANFELS
5:00pm
CONFERENCE CLOSE - DAY TWO
6:30pm – 9:30pm
OFFICIAL CONFERENCE DINNER
Darley’s Restaurant, 5/19 Lilianfels Ave, Katoomba NSW 2780
Day 3 – Wednesday – May 20
7:30am – 9:00am
SPONSOR ONLY BREAKFAST
7:30am – 9:00am
ASSET OWNER BREAKFAST
9:00am – 9:10am
WELCOME
9:10am – 10:00am
INVESTMENT THEMES IN A PASSIVE WORLD: ACTIVE IDEA GENERATION
A decade long policy of central bank stimulus has produced distorted financial markets with passive vehicles and systematic trading dominating the equity markets. These factors have led to questions about market efficiency, the margin of safety, liquidity and the fragility of the market. This session considers the challenges posed by the economic narratives at play and the investment approach required for the next decade to come.
10:00am – 10:45am
DEAD ON ARRIVAL: WHAT’S NEXT FOR FACTORS
The performance of many alternative risk premia strategies has disappointed investors. Many strategies that claimed to offer broad diversification across distinct economic drivers and market neutrality didn’t deliver. Is factor investing dead, or do investors need to recalibrate their expectations for the performance of risk premia strategies?
10:45am – 11:15am
MORNING TEA
11:15am – 11:30am
ESG INSIGHTS AND THE RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT MANAGER
A lack of clarity around ESG criteria, the risk of "greenwashing" and subjective interpretations of a manager’s culture can obfuscate an asset owner’s ability to understand whether an investment team and approach meets expectations. This session hopes to decipher the fact from the fiction with global insights.
11:30am – 12:00pm
NATURE’S CASINO: QUANTIFYING ESG CONCERNS
Alongside qualitative appraisals of good governance, the fiduciary investor is asked to consider the empirical connotations of sustainability, good governance and social wellbeing. This session explores the methods used with catastrophe bonds and other investment vehicles in ascribing a price in order to allow markets to allocate resources.
12:00pm – 12:30pm
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: A BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
Assisting investors with the design, development and deployment of intellectual property can be a transactional or a collaborative process. This case study covers the advantages and challenges of an asset owner building an internal team and entering into a strategic partnership with an asset manager. It will explore the decision by First State Super to internalise their systematic investment capability and the provisions for research, modelling and system support.

Vis Nayar
12:30pm – 12:45pm
CASE STUDY: AIEF AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
The AIEF Scholarship Program is designed to assist young indigenous students with the confidence, networks and experiences that will support a career in financial services. This session explores some of these success stories and what domestic fiduciary investors can do to enable greater uptake of roles within their organisation from indigenous candidates.
12:45pm – 1:30pm
LUNCH
1:30pm – 2:00pm
POSITIVE ENERGY: INNOVATIONS IN RENEWABLE POWER
The stone age didn’t end because society ran out of stones but rather because new technology arose and usurped the status quo. The same will surely happen to fossil fuels once a better source of energy has been proven. This session looks at the world-class research of Australian universities in developing cleaner energy and the role of fiduciary investing in facilitating the adoption of these processes.
2:00pm – 2:20pm
FOOLS GOLD: MAKING SENSE OF DIGITAL LEDGERS AND CRYPTO-CURRENCY
Physical cash continues to decline in usage as governments seek to reduce some of the antisocial connotations with paper currencies. To replace this gap and to facilitate new types of digital transactions social media companies, commercial banks and central banks are exploring a range of modern settlements. This session considers the applications available, the potential efficiencies and the investment opportunities associated with these new technologies.
2:20pm – 3:00pm
INTERNATIONAL ASSET OWNER: FIRESIDE CHAT
This conversation will look into inner workings on forming and implementing capital market views, decision making and driving and implementing innovation within teams and portfolios. The session will also discuss the chief investment officer’s market philosophy, how to build a portfolio and where to find or create alpha in the next decade.
3:00pm
CONFERENCE CLOSE
3:15pm
























