2025 AIF UK and European Investors' Symposium
November 13 | London | Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel
On behalf of AIF Global, we hope you will join us for the 2025 AIF UK and European Investors’ Symposium to be held November 13 at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel in the Mayfair district of London.
Agenda to be released soon
Agenda at a Glance
November 13
8:00–8:30 a.m.
Women Investors' Panel Registration
8:30–10:00 a.m.
Women Investors’ Breakfast Session: Review of Portfolio Strategies Across Alternative Asset Classes and Unique Points of Intersection
The special breakfast session of women investor leadership will review portfolio strategies across alternative asset classes and the unique points of intersection. (Open to Women Only)
Introduction by:
- Melissa Waller, President, AIF Global and the AIF Institute
Moderator:
- Valérie Bénard, Board Member, Women in Private Credit and AIF Women Investors’ Leadership Steering Committee Member
Panelists:
- Veronica Bateman, Managing Director, Aksia
- Elena Manola-Bonthond, CIO, CERN Pension Fund
- Helen Steers, Non-Executive Director, Aware Super
9:30–10:00 a.m.
General Registration
10:05–10:25 a.m.
Welcome & Keynote Opening on UK Climate Finance Initiatives: Setting the Stage for London’s Leadership
A high-level overview of UK government policy, regulatory innovation, and mobilization of public and private capital designed to reinforce London’s position as a world-leading hub for climate finance.
Academic Presentation:
- Chris Coleridge, Management Practice, Associate Professor, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
10:30–11:15 a.m.
The Future of Climate Finance: Institutional Strategies in a Changing World
Moderator:
- Mark Campanale, Founder and Director, Carbon Tracker Initiative
Panelists:
- Chris Coleridge, Management Practice, Associate Professor, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
- Akhil Monappa, Co-Portfolio Manager, Resolution Investors LLP
11:30–12:30 p.m.
Allocator Keynote Discussion: How to Assess the Opportunities Created From Shrinking Public Balance Sheets?
As governments reduce and refocus spending, private markets are being presented with expanded and new opportunities in areas like infrastructure, energy, real estate, defense, healthcare and education. Our panel of institutional investors will share views on how they see the changing macro context and how best to assess and approach these opportunities.
Moderator:
- Tom Rotherham-Winqvist, Co-Founder, Featherlight Capital
Panelists:
- Damien Webb, Deputy CIO, Aware Super
- Barry Kenneth, CIO, Pension Protection Fund
- Richard Tomlinson, CIO, Local Pensions Partnership Investments
- Elena Manola-Bonthond, CIO, CERN Pension Fund
12:30–1:20 p.m.
Luncheon
1:30–1:55 p.m.
European Direct Lending Report 2025: Review and Outlook
Presentation by:
- Tim Jenkinson, Professor of Finance, Said Business School, University of Oxford
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Europe’s Private Credit Outlook: Opportunity, Diversification & Drivers
Moderator:
- Veronica Bateman, Managing Director, Aksia
Panelists:
- Charles Dunlap, Head of Global Financial Institutions Group Advisory and Senior Managing Director, Cerberus European Capital Advisors, LLP
- Andrew Fox, Director, 400 Capital Management
- Gianluca Oricchio, Co-Head of Parallel Lending and Chief Data Scientist, Muzinich & Co
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Exploring Private Credit Strategies: From Direct Lending to Opportunistic Finding the Right Strategy for Your Fund
Panelists:
- Zeshan Ashfaque, Senior Managing Director, Man Group
- Kate Mijakowska, Senior Investment Solutions Specialist, Brightwell
- Paolo Morrone, Head of Private Debt-UK, Tikehau Capital
- James Turner, Senior Investment Manager, NEST
4:30–5:30 p.m.
Building the Future: Infrastructure Investing in an Era of Transition
Introduction by:
- Imogen Rose-Smith, Research Director, AIF Global
Moderator:
- Lorenzo Marchioni, Director, Real Assets, Aksia
Panelists:
- Kerron Lezama, Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments, CBRE Investment Management
- David Lowish, Portfolio Manager, Resolution Investors LLP
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Closing Reception
2025 AIF UK and European Investors' Symposium Participant List
Investor, Consultant and Finance Academic Participants
Aksia
Veronica Bateman, Managing Director
Miryam Colombo, Vice President, PanAlternatives
Lorenzo Marchioni, Director, Real Assets
AIMCo
Aly Rahemtulla, Senior Portfolio Manager
Albourne Partners
Jessica Ross, Partner – Portfolio Analyst and European Region Head
Aware Super
Damien Webb, Deputy CIO
Helen Steers, Non-Executive Director
AustralianSuper
Tom Rogers, Senior Director, Macro Research
Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Limited
Vicky Hall, Assistant Portfolio Manager
Brightwell
Kate Mijakowska, Senior Investment Solutions Specialist
British International Investment
Michael, Melluso, Investment Manager
Cambridge Associates
Becca Davis, Investment Managing Director
CERN Pension Fund
Elena Manola-Bonthond, CIO
ESAS Holding UK
Peggy Xu, Associate
GIC Private Limited
Emma Bannister, Private Credit – Funds and Co-Investment
Local Pensions Partnership Investments
Richard Tomlinson, CIO
NEST
James Turner, Senior Investment Manager
The Phoenix Group
Reena Malharkar, Head of Manager Research & Selection
Pension Protection Fund
Barry Kenneth, CIO
Redington Limited
Tricia Ward, Head of Private Markets
Russell Wood
Imtayaz Ahmed, Deputy CIO
Scottish Widows
Fraser Harker Investment Manager
UMR Retraite
Lyes Arezki, Portfolio Manager
West Midlands Pension Fund
Shiventa Sivanesan, Director of Investment Management and Stewardship
West Yorkshire Pension Fund
Hugh Carrow, Investment Manager
