Funds Experience Europe, the highly anticipated financial event, took place on June 15 and 16 at the picturesque Las Arenas Hotel on Valencia’s beachfront. More than 100 European fund selectors and fund buyers, gathered for the second edition of this prominent conference, which provided a platform for fruitful discussions and insights into the world of asset management.
This event brought together 11 Funds Managers. With their expertise and adverse perspectives, these industry experts shared their insights and strategies for navigating the current market landscape.
The following entities lent their support and contributed to the success of the conference: Aberdeen, Banco BiG, Etica Funds, GMO, HSBC, Impax Asset Management, J. Safra Sarasin, Nomura, NS Partners, Ofi Invest and Polar Capital.
Each sponsor played a vital role in showcasing their unique investment strategies, product offerings, and market insights during this event.
On the 14th, we welcomed the European professionals to the Hotel Las Arenas, with the celebration of a little cocktail reception. On the 15th, the event started with some words offered by Alejandro Ortolá, Business Developer at RankiaPro. Ortolá welcomed the attendees and thanked everyone for making it to the event.
The session started with some “one to few” roundtables, where fund selectors and fund buyers had the opportunity to listen to the strategies of the fund managers taking part in the event.
After the morning sessions, the attendees enjoyed a Paella Cooking workshop, where they were divided into groups and competed for cooking the best paella.
The day ended up at Veles e Vents, a venue sited by the Valencia Port, where all attendees had dinner and enjoyed the RankiaPro Awards ceremony. The evening ceremony, moderated by Gordon Puckey, Founder & Managing Director of Phoenix Financial, celebrated excellence in the asset management industry and recognized outstanding professionals in various categories.
On day two, the attendees enjoyed more “one to few” sessions, as well as “one to one” sessions, where they had the chance to have a last chat with fund managers and other professionals attending the event.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism, as attendees departed with new connections, fresh perspectives, and a wealth of actionable knowledge.
Bringing back the Funds Experience Europe
If you want to learn more about the eleven strategies presented at the event, take a look at the information we have compiled for you below.
Aberdeen Standard SICAV I – Select European High Yield Bond Fund
Portfolio Manager: Ben Pakenham – Head of Euro High Yield and Global Loans
“Our core approach to fixed income is based on fundamental, bottom-up stock selection tailored to the overall environment. We combine fundamental/relative value analysis with ESG embedded “
BiG Diversified Macro Fund
Portfolio Manager: Ricardo Seabra, CFA – Co-Head/Portfolio Manager of BiG Diversified Macro Fund
“We detect opportunities blending fundamental approach and systematic approach. We aim to construct a highly diversified portfolio with risk control metrics.”
Etica Sustainable Global Equity Fund
Portfolio Manager: Nicolò Vezzoso – Head of Fundamental Equity Global
“The fund does not invest in the energy and the financial sector (except some payment companies). Industries such as defense, tobacco, and gambling are also excluded.”
GMO Climate Change Investment Fund
Portfolio Manager: Vineta Salale – Portfolio Strategist Equity
“The climate change strategy invests in companies that expect to benefit significantly from mitigation and adaptation of climate change.”
HGIF Global Infrastructure Equity Fund
Portfolio Manager: Andy Jones – Managing Principal
“ESG is a core focus in our investment process and continues to evolve. We reward companies for positive action and “direction of travel” as opposed to a passive screening approach”.
Impax Global Equity Opportunities Fund
Portfolio Manager: David Winborne – Senior Equity Portfolio Manager
“Our evaluation methodology is based on 5 pillars: Governance, Material environmental and social risks, climate change, human capital management and E,D&I, and finally, controversies. ”
JSS Sustainable Equity – Global Dividend Fund
Portfolio Manager: Jean-Philippe Hechel, CFA, CAIA – Lead Portfolio Manager
“Dividends are the long-term performance driver. Investing in dividends means stable income, resilience, and defense. ”
Nomura US High Yield Bond Fund
Portfolio Manager: Brett Collins – Client Portfolio Manager, Nomura Corporate Research & Asset Management
“We invest following the strong horse philosophy. It means that we believe that we can outperform our peers by identifying strong horse companies across the rating spectrum, carefully weighing business, financial, and sustainability risks, and communicating to quickly seize opportunities and avoid losses. ”
DGC Stock Selection Fund
Portfolio Manager: Pierre Mouton – Head of Long Only Strategies
“Our long-only investment process is focused on high-quality companies, with sound balance sheets, high FCF generation, and strong competitive advantages”.
Ofi Invest Energy Strategic Metals Fund
Portfolio Manager: Marion Balestier – Portfolio Manager – Real Assets
“The fund provides a different play on climate change and green technologies themes, offering diversification and decorrelation via real assets without exposure to the equity market ”
Polar Capital Smart Energy Fund
Portfolio Manager: Thomas Guennegues – Senior Analyst
“Sustainability factors are being integrated throughout the whole investment process. Our four investment clusters include clean power generation, energy conversion & storage, energy transmission & distribution, and energy efficiency”.
