FEATURES & ANALYSIS
What next for Authorised Fund Managers (AFM’s) and responsible investment?
In the latest of our series of round-table discussions focusing on responsible investment (RI) / ESG investing we heard from Claudia Chapman, Head of Stewardship at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), and Mark Manning, Technical Specialist focused on Sustainable Finance and Stewardship at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Proactive about Performance: How firms are assessing the effectiveness of their fund boards
Fund board reviews were top of the agenda at our member meeting on 24 March. We were joined by experienced independent director Eimear Cowhey, who sits on investment boards in the UK, Ireland and Luxembourg and the Managing Director, Asset Management at Coutts, Ben Hunt.
Distribution Governance – In pursuit of excellence
UK and Europe investment management distribution expert, and newly appointed FBC senior adviser, Simon Hynes, provides his valuable insight on the evolution of distribution governance.
From the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) to Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) and now Consumer Duty, Simon reflects on the connectivity of these directives and what it means for fund boards today. Read the full article here.
SPOTLIGHT
Luxembourg Lens
To get the lowdown on the regulatory focus and the changes in management company boards in Luxembourg, FBC sat down with Craig Blair, managing director and board member of Franklin Templeton International Services S.ar.l. Our full interview covers topics such as the split role of the fund board, board composition and role of iNEDs, and the outsourced model. Read the full article here.
PROFILE
Marc Saluzzi, iNED
“When you are sitting on the board of the main ManCo in Europe, all the top guys are around the table, which was very important from my point of view because you want to know who’s running the business and how they are behaving.”
As one of a very small number of investment board directors who sit on boards in multiple jurisdictions, Marc Saluzzi has a unique insight into how fund governance is playing out across Europe. Read the interview write up here.
FBC in the Community
In 2021, FBC launched its charity support programme. It’s our way of giving forward for the amazing support we receive from many of you who give your time and expertise to support our work in fund governance.
We make an annual donation, split across three charities. Our senior advisor and director, Brandon Horwitz, nominated Ambitious About Autism to benefit from the donations in 2021 and this year.
Ambitious About Autism(AAA) supports every autistic child and young person in their right to be themselves and realise their ambitions. They stand with autistic children, young people and their families to champion rights, campaign for change and create opportunities. More details about AAA and the other charities we have chosen for 2021/22, can be seen here.
BOARD BUSINESS
The Latest Fund Governance News You Can Use
LATEST FBC BLOG
Catch up with the latest fund governance news you can use, curated by FBC, by clicking here.
FBC Members Events & Engagements
April-July 2022
Date: 18 May 2022 | Time: 1PM-2PM
Exploring Distribution Oversight and Best Practices
A panel of experts and presentation of the findings of FBC’s proprietary research of distribution oversight and the extent to which it is being undertaken by UK & UCITS fund managers.
For more information, click here. FBC Members can register interest in this event here.
Date: 21 June 2022 | Time: 1PM-2PM
Fund Board Effectiveness – Purpose and Structure
This event will be the first in a series providing the findings and insights from our fund board effectiveness barometer research looking at key aspects of Fund Board Effectiveness.
For more information on the barometer, click here and on the event click here. FBC Members can register to attend this event by clicking here.
Date: June 2022 (TBC)
Linking with Luxembourg
FBC had a great visit to Luxembourg in March to see members and industry partners. We hope to be back again in June (to be confirmed) to pick up and hear more from industry partners and colleagues.
Date: July 2022 (TBC)
Discussion on the FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements consultation
We will explore the FCA’s proposals and consider what they mean for fund boards, both in terms of implementation and overseeing ongoing alignment with the requirements.
For more information, click here. FBC Members can register interest in this event, here.
