Welcome to the Swiss Pensions Conference in Geneva, themed "Staying the Course: Governance and Beyond, Insights for Practitioners."
In the ever-evolving landscape of pension systems, investment performance stands as a cornerstone for long-term sustainability amidst demographic shifts and market dynamics. While discussions often center on asset allocation, investment styles, sustainability, and risk management, the pivotal role of governance remains conspicuously absent.
Pension fund governance, although vital, often escapes scrutiny, leaving pertinent questions unanswered: How does pension fund governance influence long-term performance? What global best practices can we glean insights from?
The CFA Society Switzerland, known for curating enriching conference experiences, has assembled a distinguished panel of speakers for this event. Professor Carolina Salva and Professor Didier Cossin will delve into the newly minted CFA Advocacy Paper on Pension Fund Governance, engaging in a thought-provoking debate with Michael Haene of PKZH.
Jessica Mosher, a policy analyst at the OECD, will illuminate findings from the latest OECD Pension Fund research, offering valuable perspectives for pension managers in Romandie. Lindsey Matthews, a leading risk practitioner, will share insights from the UK university pension system USS, offering parallels and lessons for Swiss plans.
Renowned author Edward Chancellor will provide historical context, exploring the intricate relationship between interest rates and societal dynamics. Additionally, mountain guide and researcher Ludovic Ravanel will offer first-hand insights into the profound impact of climate change, underscoring its relevance for pension strategies.
Join us at the Fairmont Geneva for an engaging discourse, educational content, and networking opportunities. Together, let's navigate the complexities of pension fund governance and chart a course for sustainable success.
Members of the CFA Society Switzerland can record CPD credits for their participation using the online tracking tool. (Note: You will need to log in with your CFA Institute ID to access it).
Recognized Conference for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by ASA and CSEP: The Swiss Association of Actuaries and the Swiss Chamber of Pension Fund Experts acknowledge this training day and credit it with 5 points (primary points).
Registration and refreshments
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Opening Welcome Address
Eric Bissonnier, CFA
Swiss Pensions Conference 2023 Romandie Chair
After the lowest interest rates in 5,000 years, what's next?
- Edward Chancellor, financial historian, author, journalist and investment strategist
Parallel Sponsors Presentation: Governing Critical Infrastructure Assets Through Market Shocks and the Energy Transition.
Main Hall: JP Morgan, Mark Walters, Managing Director & Anne Berner, Chair Adven/GETEC, former Minister of Transport and Communications in Finland
Parallel Sponsors Presentation: Managing Core Equity Portfolios in the Context of Moving ESG & Climate Goals
Break-out Room: HSBC Asset Management, Guillaume Rabault, Global CIO, Quantitative Strategies, ETF and Indexing.
Institutions are challenged by regulation and stake-holder pressure to make extra financial commitments. This raises a lot of issues such as defining the commitments, reporting on them, delegating them, measuring performance, reporting on performance and on the commitments. Guillaume will explain the challenges and solutions by describing the international experience he has on such issues.
Break
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CFA Society Switzerland Position Paper on Investment Governance at Swiss Pension Funds
- Professor Carolina Salva, University of Neuchatel
- Michael Haene, CFA, PKZH
Moderated by Mirjana Wojtal, CEO CFA Society Switzerland
Lunch Break
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Joker Session
- Ludo Ravanel Glacier Expert - Climate Change and Impact Investing
Parallel Sponsors Presentation - Fixed Income in a New Investment Regime
Plenary Room: Jupiter Asset Management - Matthew Morgan, CFA, Head of Fixed Income
In the wake of a decade-long era marked by low growth, inflation, and yields in fixed income, the COVID pandemic triggered a shift. Matthew Morgan will delve into this new investment landscape characterised by revived income but heightened volatility. Exploring the journey to this point and its governance implications for asset allocators, Morgan will also discuss potential trajectories for fixed income investing.
Parallel Sponsors Presentation - Measuring Sovereign ESG Impact: Avoiding Data-Based Disaster
Break-out Room: PGIM Fixed Income with John Ploeg, CFA
Sovereign ESG Impact Ratings commonly make a number of methodological mistakes. These mistakes mean that, contrary to investors’ intentions, investment does not always flow to the countries that are best equipped to achieve environmental and social impact. In this presentation we discuss some of these methodological mistakes and outline how they can be overcome so that investors’ capital can be better put to work improving outcomes around the world.
Break
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OECD Pensions Report - Pension Governance: International Practices and Challenges
- Jessica Mosher, Policy Analyst, OECD
Investment Governance – A Balanced Scorecard Approach
- Lindsey Matthews, Chief Risk Officer, Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited (USS), UK
Closing remarks, followed by Apéro
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Apéro Riche
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Edward Chancellor is a well known financial historian, author, journalist and investment strategist
Chief Risk Officer at Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited, UK
Professor of Finance and Director of the Institute of Financial Analysis at the University of Neuchatel
Member of the Investment Team of the City of Zurich Pension Fund
Glacier Expert - Climate Change and Impact Investing
Policy Analyst and Actuary in the Insurance and Pensions Unit of the OECD
Principal and Co-Head of ESG Research, PGIM Fixed Income
Head of Fixed Income, Jupiter Asset Management
Global CIO, Quantitative Strategies, ETF and Indexing, HSBC Asset Management
Managing Director – JP Morgan Asset Management, Infrastructure Investments Group - London
Chair Adven/GETEC, former Minister of Transport and Communications in Finland
To register and purchase tickets, members and guests must register and log in with a CFA Institute ID number.
Swiss Pensions Conference is reserved for pension fund managers (foundation board, investment committee) and their staff, as well as their advisors (ticket price 75 CHF). A limited number of tickets are available for professional investors (ticket price is 150 CHF for members of CFA Society Switzerland and 300 CHF for non-members).
Financial service providers and their employees performing commercial functions are excluded from participation.
Registration is subject to approval.
A full refund will be granted if cancellation is made by the attendee online and is possible up to 10 business days before the conference. In the event of a postponement, participants can decide whether their tickets should be transferred to the new date or refunded in full. For media inquiries and press passes, please contact events@cfasocietyswitzerland.org.