Thursday 7 May 2026
8.00 Registration
8.30 Opening Remarks from the Chair
8.40 Keynote: Analysing global geopolitical events and the implications for financial markets
- Assessing how alliances, conflicts and trade policies are affecting asset price and flow
- Identifying regions and sectors where geopolitics creates opportunities and risks
- Evaluating how financial markets will respond to evolving geopolitical shocks
- Understanding regulatory implications of asset allocation in geopolitically sensitive markets
Michael Feller, Chief Strategist, Geopolitical Strategy
9.30 Keynote: Assessing trajectories and impacts of inflation and interest rates for asset allocation
- Predicting interest rate behaviour through broader macroeconomic measuring
- Assessing interest rate and inflation impacts on portfolios over time
- Evaluating potential inflation hedging strategies in different asset classes
- Preparing for policy changes and flow-on effects from central bank behaviours
Guy Debelle, Former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
10.10 Morning Coffee
10.40 Investing in build-to-rent schemes for future-proofed and diversified portfolios
- Understanding how demographic and economic shifts are growing demand for build-to-rent schemes
- Stabilising portfolios and managing inflation with conviction build-to-rent investments
- Navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring investments are ESG-aligned
- Delivering value through full control of operations and fully integrated design, construction, leasing and management capabilities
Ed Williams, Chief Executive Officer, BlueCastle Capital
11.10 Powering asset allocation strategies by investing in renewable energy
- Exploring the range of available opportunities for investment in renewables
- Integrating renewables for long-term stability and climate-aligned diversification in portfolios
- Analysing the risk-return dynamics of investing in renewables
- Navigating local and global climate policies and evolving regulatory requirements for investors
11.40 Panel: Measuring and managing risk exposures in contemporary portfolio construction
- Quantifying risks and outcomes across different asset classes
- Developing real-time market risk analytics and scenario-testing strategies
- Balancing capital preservation and return targets with adequate risk exposure
- Integrating exogenous risks into asset allocation strategies
Marc Bautista, Head of Portfolio Liabilities, Hostplus
Mike Van De Graaf, Executive Director, Risk, Treasury Corporation of Victoria
Vyas Balasubramanian, Director Investment Risk and Analytics, Colonial First State Super
Arshia Saluja, Senior Analyst – Asset Allocation, AustralianSuper
12.20 Integrating climate change and sustainability considerations in asset allocation
- Assessing impacts on portfolios under various climate policies or risk scenarios
- Securing strong risk-adjusted returns in green energy, energy transition and climate adaptation sectors
- Meeting evolving reporting standards, such as ESG, while maintaining growth mandates
- Developing engagement strategies with investors to influence decarbonisation
Ed Tomlinson, Chief Investment Officer, Future Super
1.00 Lunch
2.00 Panel: Diversifying portfolios for resilience and performance in a world of high correlations
- Reassessing diversification strategies as long-held correlations shift
- Incorporating a range of asset classes to suit different asset allocation strategies
- Balancing opportunities in global markets with those here in Australia
- Testing asset class performance with risk scenarios and stress events
Martin Crabb, Chief Investment Officer, Shaw & Partners
Yile Chen, Chief Investment Officer, Zurich Financial Services
Mark Rogers, Chief Executive Officer, New Forests
Bryon David, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, CareSuper
2.40 Keynote: Positioning portfolios for growth and stability amidst macroeconomic developments
- Understanding the monetary and trade policies shaping returns in 2026 and beyond
- Integrating signals from regulatory bodies and central banks into asset allocation strategies
- Stress-testing and scenario-testing portfolios against macroeconomic scenarios
- Assessing the resilience of various asset classes amidst economic stress and slowdown
Brian Parker, Chief Economist, Australian Retirement Trust
3.20 Afternoon Tea
3.50 Panel: Aligning dynamic and tactical asset allocation with fluctuating market demands
- Shifting short-term allocations based on key market indicators
- Comparing relative merits of tactical and dynamic asset allocation strategies in current market conditions
- Balancing agility with cost of purchasing assets effectively
- Aligning tactical decisions with long-term investment strategies and policies
Ross Etherington, Chief Investment Officer, Coal LSL
Gary Wilson, Head of Capital Markets, JANA Investment Advisors
Sam Brodie, Strategic Tilting Portfolio Manager, NZ Super Fund
Alexandra Veroude, Senior Consultant, Capital Markets and Asset Allocation, Frontier Advisors
Chaired by: Mark Rider, Former Chief Investment Officer, Brighter Super
4.30 Panel: Navigating volatility and seizing opportunities in turbulent markets
- Adjusting strategies to account for structural versus cyclical drivers of volatility
- Applying risk management and other strategies to reduce fallout from market downturns
- Exploring assets to outperform or hedge against high volatility
- Implementing concrete processes and responses to act swiftly when volatility fluctuates
Tracey McNaughton, Chief Investment Officer, Escala Partners
George Wong, Head of Fixed Income, AIA Australia
Annette Beacher, Investment Manager – Macro Markets, HESTA
Carson Drummond, Manager, Liquid Alternatives, NGS Super
Paul Docherty, Head of Research and Portfolio Construction, Rest Super
Chaired by: Leanne Taylor, Chief Investment Officer, Mason Stevens
5.10 Closing Remarks from the Chair
5.20 Drinks Reception
6.30 Conclusion of Drinks Reception