Coverage of the 2023 Risk Management Conference
An effective risk management culture can’t be built on buzzwords — though defined benefit pension plan sponsors hear them a lot.
In recent years, they’ve seen countless pitches for cutting-edge products promising to improve risk adjusted returns — from next-generation cybersecurity suites and investment algorithms to services designed to improve regulatory responsiveness and expand legal protections. Figuring out which offer real value is no easy task.
At the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2023 Risk Management Conference, a group of DB plan sponsors came together to hear from the experts equipped to separate the signal from the noise.
Here’s what you missed!
Political commentator, journalist, columnist and author
Canada’s ongoing housing crisis may spur regime change in next federal election
Canadians could see a regime change in the next federal election if the current housing crisis holds tight, according to Chantal Hébert, political commentator, journalist, columnist and author.
Acadian Asset Management
Are concentrated equity strategies living up to their premise?
Despite an attractive pitch to asset owners, concentrated equity strategies may be letting investors down, according to Seth Weingram, senior vice-president and director of client advisory at Acadian Asset Management.
CIBC Asset Management
New dynamics in interest rates markets creating opportunities, risks for institutional investors
Institutional investors’ strategic approach to interest rates must evolve to properly reflect the risks and opportunities in today’s markets, according to Michael Cook, vice-president of client relations and liability-driven investment client portfolio manager at CIBC Asset Management.
Hazelview Investments
Public real estate markets offer significant upside during high inflation
The underlying conservatism of public real estate investment markets can provide an inflation-proof cushion for institutional investors in uncertain times, said Corrado Russo, managing partner and head of global securities at Hazelview Investments.
Fidelity Investments
How labour market pressures are affecting inflation rates
A tight labour market will have to loosen up in order to help reduce inflation rates, said Ilan Kolet, institutional portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments.
RBC Global Asset Management
Event-driven credit helping institutional investors find diamond assets in the rough
Institutional investors don’t have to wait for choppy waters to invest in event-driven credit, according to Duncan Farley, portfolio manager on the BlueRay fixed income team at RBC Global Asset Management.
Mintz LLP
Super-priority bill fallout presenting DB plan sponsors with opportunities to embrace more innovative plans
Defined benefit pension plan sponsors that are considering winding up their plans or converting them to another framework following the federal government’s super-priority bill have more innovative options, according to Mitch Frazer, managing partner at Mintz LLP.
University Pension Plan
How the University Pension Plan is focusing on active investing in its climate action plan
During the launch of the University Pension Plan, Barbara Zvan, its president and chief executive officer, knew getting to know the plan’s members was vital to its goal of providing a strong, resilient fund that secured benefits for generations to come.
Signum Global Advisors
U.S. political landscape offering uncertain outlook for institutional investors
The U.S. political roadmap ahead may present new challenges for institutional investors, according to Charles Myers, chairman of Signum Global Advisors.
Trez Capital
Supply, demand outweighing negative impacts of interest rates on real estate sector
Supply and demand are outweighing the negative impacts that interest rates are having on real estate in the short term, according to Vikram Rajagopalan, senior managing director at Trez Capital.
Innovate Cities
Risk environment leading to confusing progression of ESG metrics
The rising opposition to environmental, social and governance metrics could lead to a confusing landscape for institutional investors evaluating the impact of their assets, said Hugh O’Reilly, executive director of Innovate Cities.
British Columbia Investment Management Corp.
A look at BCI’s transformation from a decentralized to a centralized trading approach
A centralized trading approach forms the backbone of the recently revamped British Columbia Investment Management Corp., offering a more protective process for its stakeholders, according to Carmen Firmani, senior manager of client relations at the BCI.
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Pension Plan
Interest rate lessons from the CBC Pension Plan’s LDI strategy
Defined benefit pension plan sponsors must consider the downsides of using a liability-driven investment strategy, particularly the role of interest rates, said Duncan Burrill, managing director and chief executive officer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Pension Plan.
Sponsors
To view highlights from the 2022 Risk Management Conference, click here.
To view highlights from the 2021 Risk Management Conference, click here.