The Curious Quant

The Curious Quant series, hosted by Michael Kollo, is a discussion between technically-minded professionals in the financial services, technology and data science fields. It carefully examines the application of new data and new methodologies to common problems in financial markets. The aim is to promote better discussions about these emerging areas, and a better understanding of new technologies.

 

 

Michael Kollo is a seasoned investment professional with a deep passion for the pragmatic discussion and application of quantitative models to solve problems. His PhD in Finance is from the London School of Economics where he lectured in quantitative finance in addition to Imperial College and at the University of New South Wales. He has created models and led quantitative research teams at Blackrock, Fidelity and Axa Rosenberg in the UK before more recently moving to Australia where he established the quantitative team for the $50 billion industry superannuation fund, HESTA. Kollo is an experienced speaker, author, mentor, a keen student of philosophy and more recently, a podcaster. The Curious Quant is a series of conversations with market leaders, deep thinkers and practitioners who deal with the wonder and frustrations of these models and who are on the front line of AI innovation.

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Boon for managers as Korean NPS to outsource billions

The National Pension Service of Korea will outsource 26 trillion Korean won – the equivalent of $23 billion – to external funds managers this year as it moves towards its 2015 strategic asset allocation which will see a dramatic increase in equities and alternatives.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

CalPERS warns that Apple tempts downfall

One of the world’s most innovative and progressive companies, Apple, is the target of lobbying by CalPERS, demonstrating that dropping mandatory majority voting in director elections from the final version of the Dodd-Frank Act, hasn’t deterred shareowners from taking the matter into their own hands.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Let’s work together quickly: Stronger Super chair

The time for ideological argument was over, said the chair of the Stronger Super Committee, Paul Costello, and the industry should work constructively to implement the Australian Government’s response to the Cooper Review.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Pension roll-ins devilishly detailed

As evidence emerges that pension best-practice increasingly manifests in mega-funds, mergers to capitalise on the benefits of economies of scale abound. Amanda White looks behind the scenes of the roll-in of the $3.4 billion state-based Westscheme into the $37 billion AustralianSuper, and finds it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Wurts polishes its silver

US consulting firm Wurts & Associates turns 25 this year, so Amanda White spoke to the founder, Bill Wurts, and managing director, Jeff MacLean, about the company’s transformation and the plans for the next quarter of a century.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Capital ventures forth … cautiously

Everyone likes venture capital. It’s one of the feel-good asset types that fiduciary investors can believe makes a difference to society. Unfortunately, for the past 10 years it has also, on average, lost money.mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

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