Agenda | Thursday 5 February 2026
Attention: This event is by invitation only; attendees must have registered in order to attend Funds Congress.
Get ready for a day full of thought-provoking discussions and expert insights as we explore the future of asset management at Funds Congress, focusing on the key themes that will shape the year ahead.
Hear from CEOs, CIOs, regulators, politicians and other key decision-makers. Network with peers and learn what others are doing to prepare.
8:15 am Registration Opens
8:15 am | Registration Opens
Arrive early to network with fellow industry professionals and enjoy light refreshments while preparing for an insightful day of expert discussions.
9:00 am Part I – Industry Outlook
9:00 am | Welcome
Renowned columnist Katie Martin will moderate the day, setting the tone for a dynamic exploration of asset management.
Welcome & Host Perspectives
Kick off the conference with perspectives from the hosts featuring leaders from Carne, Dechert, Euroclear and PwC. Our speakers will set the stage by sharing their insights on the industry outlook, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities that will shape discussions throughout the event. This interactive session will also call for audience participation as we encourage you to contribute to the conversation!
Panel | Setting the Agenda: CEO Perspectives on the Forces Reshaping Asset Management in the Year Ahead
Hear from leading CEOs as they examine the trends set to define asset management in 2026 and beyond. The discussion will cover strategic priorities, market dynamics, shifting client demand and the technologies reshaping the industry, including AI, data and digital distribution, as well as regulation and competitive pressures. This session will provide practical insights on challenges, growth opportunities, innovation and execution to keep you ahead.
Panel | Shaping the 2026 Regulatory Agenda: Navigating a Changing Environment
Senior representatives from regulators including ESMA, the Central Bank of Ireland, the CSSF and the FCA will outline the key regulatory priorities for asset management in 2026 and beyond. This dynamic discussion will explore evolving regulatory divergence, targeted burden-reduction initiatives and provide oversight of the strategic priorities shaping tomorrow’s regulatory landscape.
Moderator:
Panel:
11:25 am Part II – The Transformation Race
Fireside Chat with Parmy Olson | AI’s Global Race for the Future
Keynote | Microsoft
Panel | The AI Moment: Leadership, Execution and the Transformation Race
AI is no longer a technology conversation. It is a leadership, competitiveness, and relevance conversation – and the race has already started. As asset management enters a critical phase of the transformation race, AI and intelligent automation are rapidly reshaping operating models, cost structures, decision-making and sources of competitive advantage. As global leaders accelerate adoption, the gap between firms that act decisively and those that hesitate is widening rapidly. This panel explores the leadership imperative for AI-led transformation in asset management. The discussion will examine where AI is already delivering tangible impact across the value chain, the strategic playbooks emerging to move from experimentation to execution, and the organisational, cultural and data challenges that must be overcome to scale responsibly.
2:00 pm Part III – Adapting for Growth in a Shifting World
Keynote | Economic Outlook
Panel | Allocators Unpacked: How Are Global Investors Deploying Capital in 2026?
This session will explore investor appetite amidst shifting macro dynamics, including:
– Top priority considerations in the current market
– Understanding the pressure points in liquidity and portfolio management
– The role of private markets in asset allocation strategy
– Manager staying power- how are LPs assessing operational resilience for the long-term in today’s environment.
Moderator:
Panel | Retail Access to Private Markets – A Pan-European Perspective
Across Europe, private markets are gaining traction as a key component of long-term investment strategies. While institutional investors have led the way, particularly through pension schemes and insurance portfolios, attention is now turning to the next frontier: enabling access for wealth and retail investors. This shift is influenced by regulatory developments, product innovation, and growing interest in diversification across the continent.
Moderator:
Special Guests | Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall from The News Agents podcast
Panel | Strategy into Action
The Asset and Wealth Management industry is at an inflection point. Global AUM is projected to reach $200 trillion by 2030, yet profitability is under structural pressure due to fee compression, rising costs, and complexity. Private markets and technology-driven transformation are reshaping the competitive landscape. This panel will pick up the key future themes identified in previous panels and share their experience of how to put strategy into action – navigate challenges, seize growth opportunities, and define winning business models for the next decade.
Keynote | To Be Announced
5:30 pm Networking Drinks Reception
Networking Drinks Reception
Please stay on after the event for light refreshments and drinks. We invite you to join us for an informal continuation of the evening.
7:30 pm | Event Close
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