New Zealand Investment Summit | Russell Investments

Russell Investments New Zealand

INVESTMENT FORUM 2021

Up on our foils?
Charting a course through shifting winds

Over two weeks, we’ll be bringing you timely, up to date information on how we are navigating today’s market environment. We’ll discuss challenges and opportunities we see arising in the year ahead and provide insights on what clients should be looking out for.

This year we will be hosting not only virtual sessions but the opportunity to attend some sessions in person.

We can’t wait to see you!

Agenda – Up on our foils?

Sessions designed to address the challenges you're currently facing in today's markets.

Read our speaker bios

Tuesday | May 4

10.00 A.M. - 11.10 A.M.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Matt Arnold Director New Zealand, Russell Investments
Pete Gunning, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Russell Investments

WHERE TO NOW? OPPORTUNITIES FOR LONG-TERM INVESTORS

What a year it has been, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows and back again — sort of. After a year of lockdown and unprecedented global monetary and fiscal stimulus where do we stand now? What are the opportunities and risks that investors face? Will inflation rear its head? Are equities the only game in town? Is everything just too expensive at this point to see real opportunity? If not, what are the opportunities still out there for investors to exploit? Russell Investments Chief Investment Strategist will share our thoughts on the above questions and how we are navigating the current market conditions.

Erik Ristuben, Chief Investment Strategist, Russell Investments
Moderator: Matt Arnold
Wednesday | May 5

3.15 P.M. - 4.00 P.M.
ONLINE OR IN PERSON

ESG SESSION - ARE WE ALL GUILTY OF 'GREENWASHING'?

James Harwood and Mihir Tirodkar, two of Russell Investments’ ESG leaders, discuss trends in ESG investing while answering the controversial question, ‘are we all guilty of ‘greenwashing’? The session will provide all investors with essential advice on how they can think about incorporating ESG into their portfolios today, while acknowledging that we live in a world full of contradictions and uncertainty.

James Harwood, Senior Portfolio Manager, Russell Investments
Moderator: Mihir Tirodkar

LIVE IN WELLINGTON and available online
4.00 P.M. - 5.00 P.M.
(online or in person)

NZ ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Known as a forthright commentator and analyst on all things related to the economy, we are delighted to welcome Cameron Bagrie to present his views on where we have been and where we are going. This session should be essential viewing for investors looking at New Zealand shares that after a sustained period of outperformance have come off the boil (or their foils?) and are significant lagging global peers.

Cameron Bagrie, Managing Director, Bagrie Economics
Moderator: Guy Fisher

LIVE IN WELLINGTON and available online
Thursday | May 6

10.00 A.M. - 10.45 A.M.

DON'T WRITE OFF FIXED INCOME JUST YET

For most of the past decade or more, analysts and strategists have been forecasting that returns from fixed income will be muted going forward, but 2020 was another year of strong returns for many fixed interest investors. With rates now starting to back-up, the economy improving and inflation nudging higher, have we finally reached the point of no return? Join Michelle Russell-Dowe, a securitised debt specialist at Schroders, who talks with Adam Smears, Russell Investments’ Head of Fixed Income Research, about the outlook for fixed interest in the coming months and years.

Michelle Russell-Dowe, Head of Securitised Credit, Schroders Investment management
Adam Smears, Head of Fixed Income Research, Russell Investments
Moderator: Maria Flaherty
Tuesday | May 11

10.00 A.M. - 11.00 A.M.

THE PRACTIONER'S PERSPECTIVE

Owing to its multi manager approach, Russell Investments has unique access to a range of the world’s most successful asset management firms. This year’s Practitioner’s perspective will spotlight two firms all of whom manage a portion of the Russell Investments Global Shares Funds. The session will feature short Q&As between the portfolio managers and our manager research analysts, Kris Nelson and Gabriel Sauma. Senior Portfolio Manager, Jon Eggins, will bring it all together highlighting how we use the insights gained by these fund managers to build more resilient, globally diversified portfolios. After a tough period, the funds positioning has delivered strong results in recent months as investors look through the pandemic to when economies fully open up..

Jon Eggins, Senior Portfolio Manager, Russell Investments
Kris Nelson, Director of Investment Research, Global Equity, Russell Investments
Gabriel Sauma, Head of Research, Emerging Markets Equity, Russell Investments
John Malloy, RWC Partners
Lewis A Sanders, Sanders Capital
Moderator: Matt Arnold
Wednesday | May 12

10.00 A.M. - 10.45 A.M.

HOME COUNTRY BIAS - TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

Investors the world over exhibit ‘home country bias’ in their portfolios. The reasons for this are many, some may be good – such as tax advantages – others less so. Exceptionally strong performance from New Zealand assets over the last decade or more has meant many globally diversified New Zealand investors have lagged those with significant local assets. Peer relativity has become increasingly important in a world of click-bait top performer advertising and Morningstar KiwiSaver reports. To review home country bias in local portfolios, Matt Arnold will be joined by Symon Parish, Head of Multi-Asset, Asia-Pacific, at Russell Investments, in a session that will look at the issue and answer whether now is the time for Kiwis to further globalise investments.

Symon Parish, Head of Multi-Asset, Asia-Pacific, Russell Investments
Moderator: Matt Arnold
3.15 P.M. - 4.00 P.M.

MACRO PERSPECTIVES IN FIXED INCOME - FOCUS ON CREDIT

After a tumultuous, pandemic induced sell-off, credit recovered exceptionally well in 2020 to deliver strong returns to those investors that 'stuck with it'. But have the easy gains been made? As spreads have significantly tightened, how should investors think about credit in the current environment. In this engaging session, Damon Shinnick from Western Asset Management (fund manager for both the global and New Zealand fixed interest funds) joins us to discuss the outlook for the sector as the economy improves and rates start to head higher. He will also touch on thoughts around how investors should approach this important part of the fixed income opportunity set.

Damon Shinnick, Western Asset Management
Moderator: David Kandziora
Thursday | May 13

3.15 P.M. - 4.00 P.M.
ONLINE OR IN PERSON

WHAT'S A CONSERVATIVE INVESTOR TO DO? INVESTMENT STRATEGY IDEAS FOR A LOW RATE WORLD

More than 30% of KiwiSaver assets are invested in conservative and moderate funds. Many billions more for portfolios outside of KiwiSaver could be similarly classified. But with interest rates at rock-bottom levels and forecast to start edging up finally, the mid- to high single digit annualised returns for conservatively postured funds seems to be a thing of the past. What options are available for investors? Matt Arnold will be joined by Kevin Turner, from the US to take a deep dive into the topic with actionable suggestions and strategy ideas for local investors.

Kevin Turner, Head of Investment Strategy & Solutions, US Institutional,
Russell Investments
Moderator: Matt Arnold

LIVE IN AUCKLAND and available online
4:00 P.M. - 5.00 P.M.
(online or in person)

Stories from New Zealand's financial agony aunt

In Mary Holm’s latest book, “A richer you – how to make the most of your money”, you can learn about KiwiSaver, debt, investing, house prices, and retirement finances by eavesdropping on other New Zealanders' mistakes and triumphs. The book is based around Mary’s weekend Herald Q&A column, in which she takes into account not just money but people’s fears, foibles and family issues - with warmth and humour.

In her talk, Mary will discuss some of the more unusual, inspiring, sad, angry and funny letters she has received, and how she responded

Mary Holm, Bestselling author, educator and award-winning columnist
Moderator: Maria Flaherty

LIVE IN AUCKLAND and available online

Live and in person sessions

Wednesday | 5 May

3.15 P.M. - 6.00 P.M.

The ESG session and NZ Economic Outlook will be held live in Wellington as well as being broadcast via webinar. If you plan on attending live, please register your attendance.

Drinks and nibbles will be served after the sessions we hope you can join us.

Location:

Sofitel Wellington
Conference Centre
11 Bolton Street
Wellington Central
(04) 472 2001
Thursday | 13 May

3.15 P.M. - 6.00 P.M.

The concluding session will be held live in Auckland as well as being broadcast via webinar. If you plan on attending live, please register your attendance.

Drinks and nibbles will be served after the sessions we hope you can join us.

Location:

The Northern Club
Wintergarden
19 Princes Street
Auckland Central
(09) 379 4755

Our speakers

The event will feature a wide range of engaging speakers from the industry as well as our Russell Investments colleagues from around the globe and on the ground in New Zealand.

Bruce Clarke, Managing Director, Institutional Investment Solutions, Russell Investments

Matthew Arnold, CFA, CAIA

Director New Zealand, Russell Investments

Matt is responsible for leading the institutional team at Russell Investments in New Zealand. The team delivers a range of services that assist investors in meeting their goals including asset and implemented consulting, global multi-asset investing and implementation services such as transition management and overlays.

Bryan Weeks, Head of Americas Institutional

Cameron Bagrie

Managing Director, Cameron Bagrie Economics

Cameron is the Managing Director of Bagrie Economics, a private, boutique and independent research firm. He was formerly chief economist of ANZ for 11.5 years, where he was never shy expressing a view.

Jon Eggins

Head of Global Equity, Russell Investments

Jon Eggins is head of Global equities, overseeing the Global Equity Portfolio Management team including Global and International and European Equities. Jon has primary portfolio management responsibility for the firm’s global and international equity funds in the US and Australasia.

Guy Fisher

Senior Consultant, Russell Investments

Guy has been providing investment advice to institutional and retail clients in New Zealand and overseas for more than 25 years. He joined Russell Investments as a Senior Consultant in 2018, focusing on the non-profit and philanthropic sectors.

Barry Dargan, Portfolio Manager and CEO, Intermede Investment Partners

Maria Flaherty

Senior Client Relationship Manager, Russell Investments

Maria is a Senior Client Relationship Manager sand is responsible for managing all aspects of key client accounts. This includes providing portfolio reviews, portfolio rebalancing, and other service requirements to New Zealand institutional clients. Maria also specialises in providing operational and transactional assistance for client transitions.

Pete Gunning, Global Chief Investment Officer

Pete Gunning, CFA

Global Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive, Asia-Pacific, Russell Investments

Pete Gunning is the chief executive, Asia-Pacific for Russell Investments where he oversees all business in the AsiaPacific region, including Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. He serves on the Russell Investments Executive Committee.

James Harwood

Portfolio Manager, Russell Investments

James is a portfolio manager for Russell Investments responsible for directly managed Global equity funds. He manages in excess of A$6bn across a range of investment strategies with around $700m in global equity Decarbonisation and domestic ESG strategies.

Mary Holm, ONZM

Best-selling author, educator and award winning columnist

Mary Holm (ONZM for services to financial literary education) is the author of seven books, including Rich Enough? A laidback guide for every Kiwi, which was a Number 1 bestseller. Her latest book, A Richer You – how to make the most of your money, is also on the bestseller list.

Jon Eggins, Senior Portfolio Manager, Russell Investments

David Kandziora

Senior Consultant, Russell Investments

David is a Senior Investment Consultant at Russell Investments based in the Auckland office. He is part of the team that delivers a range of services to assist institutional investors in meeting their goals, including investment strategy, governance advice and implementation services through Russell Investments’ Outsourced Chief Investment Officer solution.

Rachel Carroll, Managing Director, Consulting, Russell Investments

Fiona Lintott

Senior Client Relationship Manager, Russell Investments

Fiona is part of the Investor Services team, responsible for managing client relationshios and promoting Russell Investments solutions to investors. From 2009 to 2011, Fiona worked at ANZ Private Bank as Associate Director focusing on the needs of Private Bank’s most highly valued clients.

John Malloy

Co-Head of Emerging and Frontier Markets, RWC Partners

John is the portfolio manager of the Emerging Markets strategy at RWC Partners. He also serves as a member of the investment committee for the RWC Emerging and Frontier Markets strategies.

Ayaz Mohamed

Client Service Analyst, Russell Investments

Ayaz is a Client Service Analyst for the funds team at Russell Investments Auckland. He is responsible for assisting in the completion of client reports and providing analysis.

Kris Nelson

Director, Investment Research, Russell Investments

Kris is a Director of Investment Research on the Global Equities team where she evaluates investment strategies in an effort to identify those which are likely to generate returns in excess of the relevant market indices and peer groups.

Scott O'Ryan

Business Development Manager, Investor Services, Russell Investments

Scott is based in the Auckland office. He is part of the team that is responsible for growing Russell Investments’ profile within the financial advisory and wealth management sector, mainly through distributing the firm’s range of multi-manager and directly managed funds. Prior to joining Russell Investments in 2020, Scott worked at Morningstar, where he held senior roles in the Client Solutions team and was involved in delivering data and research to advisory and institutional clients.

Symon Parish

Chief Investment Officer - Australasia, Russell Investments

Symon Parish is the Australasian chief investment officer and a portfolio manager for Russell Investments, based in Sydney. Symon has primary responsibility for managing a number of Russell Investment’s Australian and Pacific Basin equity funds. He oversees all aspects of fund management, including design strategy, manager selection and fund construction. Symon heads the investment team for the Australasian region, with investment professionals based in Sydney, Singapore, Tokyo and Melbourne. He is a director of Russell Investment Management Ltd.

Erik Ristuben

Chief Investment Strategist, Russell Investments

Erik Ristuben is the global chief investment strategist for Russell Investments. His team’s responsibilities include the creation and management of integrated client investment strategies for the firm’s institutional and retail clients globally, as well as the creation of global economic and market outlooks.

Michelle Russell-Dowe

Head of Securitised Credit, Schroder Investment Management

Michelle Russell-Dowe is the Head of Securitised Credit at Schroders. She is responsible for managing the Securitised Credit Team and the Securitised Credit Portfolio Strategies. She joined Schroders in 2016 and is based in New York.

Lewis A. Sanders

CEO & Co-CIO

Lewis A. Sanders is the founder, CEO and Co-CIO of Sanders Capital, LLC. Mr. Sanders was the former Chairman (2005 - 2008) and CEO (2003 - 2005) of AllianceBernstein L.P. He served as Vice Chairman and CIO from 2000-2003, when Alliance Capital merged with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., Inc.

Gabriel Sauma

Director of Research, Emerging Market Equities, Russell Investments

Gabriel Sauma is Director of Research on the Emerging Markets manager research team and is based in London. Gabriel is responsible for the research and evaluation of Emerging Markets investment strategies globally in an effort to identify those which are likely to generate returns in excess of the relevant market indices and peer groups.

Michelle Seitz, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Damon Shinnick

Portfolio Manager/Research Analyst
Western Asset Management Company Pty Ltd

Damon Shinnick is a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst at Western Asset and has more than 22 years of experience. Prior to joining the Firm in 2011, Mr. Shinnick served as Partner in the Asset Management Division at Pension Corporation LLP; Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President of Investment Management at Lehman Brothers, Australia; Portfolio Manager and Analyst with Challenger Financial Services Group and Quantitative Analyst at HSBC Asset Management in Australia.

Adam Smears

Head of Fixed Income Research, Russell Investments

Adam Smears is Head of Fixed Income Research at Russell Investments. Before joining Russell, Adam spent 9 years at Skandia Investment Group where his most recent duties included running the overall investment research group as head of investment research, covering all asset classes.

Mihir Tirodkar, CFA

Senior Analyst, Russell Investments

Mihir is a Senior Analyst in the New Zealand Consulting team and helps with investment strategy for advisory clients. He is also involved in Russell Investment’s foundational research arm.

Kevin Turner, CFA

Head of Investment Strategy & Solutions, US Institutional, Russell Investments

Kevin Turner leads the Investment Strategy & Solutions team for Russell Investments. This team is a consolidation of the asset allocation and liability management functions across the organization, and is focused on enhancing Russell Investments’ multi-asset proposition through a clear understanding of client needs and a consistent process to design investment solutions to achieve desired outcomes.

Alister Van Der Maas, CFA

Managing Director, NZ, Russell Investments

As the Managing Director for Russell Investments New Zealand, Alister focuses on the management and strategy of the New Zealand business. Alister joined Russell Investments in 2006 as Consultant, then becoming Head of Consulting in 2008.

Do you have questions?

Contact your Russell Investments Relationship Manager.