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 Fireside Chat: 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)
- Melissa Waller, President, AIF Global and the AIF Institute
- Valérie Bénard, Board Member, Women in Private Credit and AIF Women Investors’ Leadership Steering Committee Member
- Helen Steers, Non-Executive Director, Aware Super and Past Chair and Council Member, British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA)
9:30–10:00 a.m.
General Registration
10:05–10:25 a.m.
Welcome & Keynote Opening on European Climate Finance and Innovation: Setting the Stage for Leadership
A high-level overview of the current state of climate venture investment and innovation in the UK and Europe, highlighting government policy, regulatory innovation, and mobilization of public and private capital.
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, Innovation, and Technology: 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
- Emma Haight, Partner, North Core Capital
- Akhil Monappa, Co-Portfolio Manager, Resolution Investors LLP
- Irena Spazzapan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Systemiq Capital
- Edwin Whitehead Director, Sustainable Investment, Gallagher Benefit Services
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:
- Veronica Humble, CIO, NatWest Cushon
- Barry Kenneth, CIO, Pension Protection Fund
- Richard Tomlinson, CIO, Local Pensions Partnership Investments
- Damien Webb, Deputy CIO, Aware Super
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:
- Mike Carruthers, Senior Managing Director and Head of European Private Credit, Blackstone Credit and Insurance (BXCI)
- Charles Dunlap, Head of Global Financial Opportunities and Senior Managing Director, Cerberus Capital Management
- 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
Moderator:
- Becca Davis, Investment Managing Director, Cambridge Associates
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
Moderator:
- Imogen Rose-Smith, Research Director, AIF Global
Panelists:
- Kerron Lezama, Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments, CBRE Investment Management
- David Lowish, Portfolio Manager, Resolution Investors LLP
- Effie Wang, Senior Investment Manager, Octopus Energy Generation
- Pieter Welman, Head of Global Infrastructure, Barings
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
AIMCo
Aly Rahemtulla, Senior Portfolio Manager
Aware Super
Damien Webb, Deputy CIO
Helen Steers, Non-Executive Director
Brightwell
Kate Mijakowska, Senior Investment Solutions Specialist
British International Investment
Michael, Melluso, Investment Manager
Cambridge Associates
Becca Davis, Investment Managing Director
Catalina Services UK Limited
Jee Theng Yip, Head of Alternatives Investment Research
Environment Agency Pension Fund
Scott Anderson, Investment Manager, Pension Fund Management Team
ESAS Holding UK
Peggy Xu, Associate
Gallagher Benefit Services
Edwin Whitehead Director, Sustainable Investment
Hostplus
Neon Shariful, Investments – Private Markets
Local Pensions Partnership Investments
Richard Tomlinson, CIO
Mercer
Mirjam Haab, Infrastructure Investment Associate
Emily Sun, Senior Research Specialist
NatWest Cushon
Veronica Humble, Chief Investment Officer
NEST
James Turner, Senior Investment Manager
The Phoenix Group
Reena Malharkar, Head of Manager Research & Selection
Pension Protection Fund
Barry Kenneth, CIO
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
Darran Ward, Head of Alternatives