While the dominant economic narrative has been that supply chains are shifting out of China amidst rising geopolitical competition and that the ASEAN countries are obvious beneficiaries, the truth is more nuanced.
The legacy of Jack Ehnes, chief executive of CalSTRS for nearly 20 years, is the embedded long-term view in the culture of the organisation which impacts everything from investments to benefit planning strategy. He talks to Amanda White about managing multiple, complex and competing stakeholders for the good of California's teachers.
In the past 12 months the CFA Institute has innovated to adapt to meet member and industry needs. CEO Marg Franklin talks to Amanda White about the benefits of computer-based testing, the CFA's standards around ESG and diversity and its upcoming project around the future of work in the investment industry.
The UK defined contribution fund, NEST has added a number of new asset classes to its portfolio over the past year – including infrastructure with a focus on renewables – but the fund is still missing an allocation to private equity. CIO Mark Fawcett spoke to Amanda White about the fund’s challenge to the industry on private equity fees, its focus on climate-aware portfolios and innovative approaches to portfolio management.
The CEO of CalPERS Marcie Frost has a big year ahead. Not only is the fund still searching for a CIO, but it will also conduct its four-yearly asset liability study this year. Frost speaks to Amanda White about the challenges of the top job at the largest fund in the US and how she works to make sure the “real story” of CalPERS gets told.
The City of Austin Employees Retirement System has turned around its five-year performance with a focus on value in active management and deconstructing its bond portfolio. As it looks to the future CIO David Veal considers venture capital and crypto investments.
Farouki Majeed is worried about the future. His concerns are centred around the implications of the enormous US federal debt; the global competitiveness of the US and Chinese economies; inflation; and the potential erosion of the value of the US dollar.
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