InvestOps Europe 2025
20 - 22 October, 2025
CNIT Forest, Paris
Day 2 - 28 September 2022
8:00 am - 8:55 am
Conference Registration and Re-Fuel Breakfast
Grab a traditional British breakfast bap and help yourself to a fresh cup of coffee to re-charge after an evening of networking with your colleagues and new contacts.
8:55 am - 9:00 am
Chairperson’s Opening Remarks: Paul Sinthunont, Senior Analyst, Aite-Novarica Group
THRIVING IN THE FUTURE LANDSCAPE
9:00 am - 9:20 am
Keynote Innovation Interview: How can you adapt your people, processes and technology to best respond to market trends and leverage new innovations to achieve operational excellence?
Alain Mandy -
Managing Director and Chief Transformation Officer,
Wellington Management Funds Global
James Kearney -
Global Head of Investment Operations,
Vanguard
Paul Sinthunont -
Senior Analyst,
Aite-Novarica Group
- How can you best launch and scale new processes, tech innovations and investment strategies to thrive in today’s fast-paced and digital-first market environment?
- How has COVID-19 altered the work environment dynamic and how can you best organise your function to drive optimal results in the new world of work?
- How can you best track and leverage new developments in blockchain and digital assets to enhance performance?
- How can you determine your key criteria when evaluating new technologies to best identify new fintech solutions for your firm?
Alain Mandy
Managing Director and Chief Transformation OfficerWellington Management Funds Global
9:20 am - 10:00 am
Keynote Panel Discussion: Enabling front-to-back consolidation: How can you streamline your front to back-office cross-asset operations globally to achieve operational excellence?
Mariam Osman -
COO,
Blackrock
Hans Steyaert -
Global Head of Operations Services,
BNP Paribas Asset Management
Siobhan Clarke -
Chief Investment Operations Officer,
Royal London Asset Management
Mark Davis -
SVP, Head of Strategy,
FIA Tech
Cormac Doyle -
Head of Investment Management Operations,
Fidelity International
Paul Sinthunont -
Senior Analyst,
Aite-Novarica Group
- How to overcome fragmented legacy systems and optimize your front-to-middle offices in rapid succession?
- How to build greater transparency of global performance, risk and compliance from front-to-back
- What are the benefits of combining technologies, distribution methods and investment strategies?
- How can you implement new cutting-edge technology to streamline your processes globally?
- Re-inventing your workflow- How have buy side leaders replaced legacy technology to transform the middle and back office?
10:00 am - 10:30 am
Innovation Interview: Delivering for your customers: How can you create a culture for innovation that embraces the latest digital and analytics advancements to achieve a truly client-centric operating model?
Krzysztof Wierzchowski -
VP, Securities Services,
Franklin Templeton Investments
Ben Pumfrett -
Head of Product and Profitability, Middle Office,
RBC Investor & Treasury Services
Paul Sinthunont -
Senior Analyst,
Aite-Novarica Group
- How to evaluate risk and measure performance of new technology to establish which is best to incorporate into your operating model
- How can you identify which new tech is genuinely value-add to your operations division to help you deliver for your internal and external customers?
- What are the modern-day skill sets required to succeed in the digital-first environment and how can you best position your function o attract fresh talent?
- How can you mitigate against cyber security threats whilst promoting a digitally driven, hybrid working environment?
Ben Pumfrett
Head of Product and Profitability, Middle OfficeRBC Investor & Treasury Services
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Keynote Interview: How can the industry best collaborate to standardise ESG data reporting and disclosure to deliver on fast-evolving regulator and client expectations?
Darryl Cornelius -
Head of Regulatory Strategy,
State Street Global Advisors
Dr. Michael Viehs -
Global Head of Sustainable Investing,
Partners Capital
Nirav Shah -
Head of ESG Analytics,
M&G Investments
Paul Sinthunont -
Senior Analyst,
Aite-Novarica Group
- How can global firms scale ESG data processes that factor in differing expectations across multiple geographies?
- How can you best organise your ESG data to present to end investors when faced with data availability and quality challenges?
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Networking Break
If you’re a savoury snacker or have a sweet tooth, we’ve got you covered with our delicious buffet brunch.
Don’t forget to get social with our LinkedIn competition for the chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot, Kindle or Apple Airpods.
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Buy Side Workshop: “Non-Investment Alpha". Securities Class Action Recovery for the Institutional Investor
Michael McCreesh -
President,
Battea Class Action Services
Have you claimed your share of more than $15 Billion currently available?
Securities class action settlements help investors recoup losses and deter fraud on a market level. There are currently more than $15 Billion in available settlement funds awaiting distribution, but investors have to navigate the increased complexities identifying the amounts and payouts they are entitled. Topics of Discussion will include an overview how institutional investors can get involved in these recoveries and an update on the large pipeline of current settlements with imminent filing deadlines.
(Chatham House Rules)
PREPARING FOR NEW REFORMS
11:30 am - 11:50 am
Fireside Chat: Preparing for new alternative assets: How can you integrate new processes and technology to reduce the manual workload and mitigate risks across these new products
April Wilcox -
CAIA, Director of Investment Services,
CalSTRS
Paul Sinthunont -
Senior Analyst,
Aite-Novarica Group
- How are investment operations adapting to the huge uptake in alternatives - What steps are being taken to reduce reliance on manual processes and spreadsheets?
- What strategies should you implement to mitigate the cost and challenges of supporting alternatives and private debt?
- Thriving in a new world of alternatives- How can you best manage your operational risk across a broader variety of non-traditional assets?
- How to respond to new trading strategies timely enabling front to back integration and speedy on-boarding of new alternative assets?
- What can asset managers do to adapt to the diversification trend into private capital – is setting up a dedicated PERE arms the best solution?
11:50 am - 12:30 pm
Regulatory Panel: Global regulatory outlook: Which new regulatory changes are expected to shape buy side investment operations in the years ahead and how can you best prepare for them now?
Darryl Cornelius -
Head of Regulatory Strategy,
State Street Global Advisors
Lydia Buttinger -
Global Head of Shared Services, Risk and Compliance,
abrdn
Stéphane Janin -
Head of Global Regulatory Developments and Public Affairs,
AXA Investment Managers
Steve Walsh -
Product and Solutions Director,
Duco
John Lund -
Buy Side Derivatives,
Collateral Management Specialist
- How are the latest regulatory updates impacting the buy side business model and how can you best adapt to thrive in the new market order?
- How can you ensure your division is in line with the latest IBOR mandates and ensure all systems are using the data across the middle and back office
- How can you best identify and partner with 3rd party providers to meet the latest regulatory mandates?
- Succeeding in regulation implementation: How to launch and scale change management programmes to implement new processes and ensure compliance with the latest regulatory updates
Stéphane Janin
Head of Global Regulatory Developments and Public AffairsAXA Investment Managers
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Interview: Exploring the post-pandemic work set up: Is the traditional office-based working environment more effective than the hybrid model?
Mete Akkemik -
VP Business Operations, Europe & Asia,
Capital Group
Paul Sinthunont -
Senior Analyst,
Aite-Novarica Group
Enjoy a delicious lunch at the end of the day as you reflect on the latest market insights and industry updates shared over the past couple of days.
These interactive working groups provide the perfect opportunity to sum-up your findings, consolidate new connections and collaborate on lessons learnt with your peers.
BUY SIDE LUNCH WORKING GROUPS
BUY SIDE WORKING GROUP A
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm Working Group: Bridging the talent gap: How can you leverage alternative recruitment strategies and promote a culture of wellbeing to secure top talent and compete with tech giants? Chris Taylor - COO, CG Asset Management- What strategies should you trial to attract, train, and retain top investment operations talent to future proof your division and thrive in the new digital landscape?
- How can you influence a culture of wellbeing and continuous development to retain top talent?
- How can you implement training programmes and personal development schemes for your teams to increase motivation, boost innovation and drive greater results?
- How to bridge the gap between legacy and 21st century technology and retain millennials
BUY SIDE WORKING GROUP B
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm Working Group: Driving D&I initiatives: How can the investment operations industry better promote diversity and inclusion programs to attract, develop and retain top talent? Lydia Buttinger - Global Head of Shared Services, Risk and Compliance, abrdn- Increasingly competitive environments: when considering margin pressures, technological disruption, and changing consumer preferences, how can you focus more on your “people model” as a key part of your strategy?
- How can an inclusive culture leverage diverse view effectively?
- How to improve strategies with recruiting, promoting, and retaining top talent?
- Demonstrating responsible investing: How can you best report your D&I initiatives to your clients to increase transparency and meet their expectations?
BUY SIDE WORKING GROUP C
12:45 pm - 2:00 pm Working Group: Mastering alternative asset classes: How to prepare your operational capacity to trade digital and alternate assets Kelly Criss - Head of Investment Operations, CalSTRS
- What products are institutional investors using today to get alternate asset class exposure?
- What are the challenges and barriers to increased adoption of alternate asset classes?
- What are the regulatory concerns and ambiguity that institutions are challenged with and when and how might they be resolved?
- How will the current exposure to crypto as an asset class lead into institutional entry into DeFi? What additional challenges will this introduce from a product and technology perspective?
