1. ESG-ing Your Portfolio: How to Implement a Best Practice Approach

As Environmental, Social, and Governance investing continues to gain momentum, there are still many who are just beginning their ESG journey, and even more who are unsure of how to get started.

Our panellists provide guidance on how to begin incorporating ESG principles into asset allocation, manager selection and portfolio monitoring. The discussion focuses on the actions they have taken in their approach, sharing how they arrived at and implemented their current strategy, as well as the obstacles they faced.

Facilitator:
Darrel Seah, Investment Consultant, Singapore

Panelists:
Alexis Cheang, Head of Responsible Investment, Pacific
Lucy Thomas, Head of Investment Stewardship, NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp)

2. Transitioning Your Portfolio for a Low-Carbon World 

Climate change is driving the need to transition to a zero-emission economy. Investor and corporate awareness of, and commitments to, the transition are increasing rapidly. Investors want to understand the risks they face as a result of the transition, and want to understand what opportunities there are to companies generating sustainable and green revenues.

But how do you as an investor understand where your portfolio sits on the transition spectrum? And how do you develop an investment plan to transition to a low-carbon economy? Join us in this timely breakout session to explore these important questions.

Facilitator:
Michael Maher, Endowments & Foundations Client Segment Leader, Pacific

Panelists:
Kylie Willment, Chief Investment Officer, Pacific
James Pearson, Head of Impact and Responsible Investments, QBE Insurance

3. Transformational Investing: Converting Global Systemic Risks into Sustainable Returns

Do we spend enough time thinking about the incorporation of risks and opportunities associated with long-term systemic trends such as climate change, geopolitical stability and demographic shifts?

How can asset-owners incorporate these trends into mission, governance and implementation processes?  Which tools can be used to mitigate risks associated with the trends?

Mercer, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, is producing research that provides frameworks to address these questions.

In this session, we draw on findings from an asset-owner survey representing more than $3.4 trillion in aggregated assets to highlight how the community is integrating the trends. The panellists share the  steps their organisations have taken as well as their lessons learned through their transformational investment journeys.

Facilitator:
Serene Tan, Senior Investment Consultant, Singapore

Panelists:
Ashley Knight, Mercer’s Fellow at the World Economic Forum
Kevin Bong, Managing Director, Director of Economics & Investment Strategy, GIC
Komal Jalan, Senior Portfolio Manager, Sustainable Investments, Pacific
Martyn Myer, Chairman, Cosgate Ltd, Member of the Fishermans Bend Board, Member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra Board and Life Governor of The Myer Foundation

5. Getting Mental Wellbeing Right in a Post-Pandemic World

As the coronavirus pandemic started to spread, staff health and mental wellbeing rapidly rose up the corporate agenda. Employers have woken up to the importance of having an evidence-based health strategy in place. Employers are also recognising that responding early and effectively to a corporate crisis has a positive long-term impact on business success.

Health is not just an aspect of physical safety — for instance, organisations providing a safe environment that protects people from infection — but is also linked to psychological safety. The incoming ISO 45003 standard on psychological health and safety at work is just one indicator that mental health is finally being regarded as important as physical wellbeing.

In this breakout session, we meet with industry leaders and discuss what works and what needs improvement to create a “good” return to the workplace.

Facilitator:
Dr. Wolfgang Seidl, Senior Health and Benefits Consultant,

Panelists:
Brandon Coate, Head of Human Resources, HSBC Singapore
Adjunct Assistant Professor Habeebul Rahmam, Head of Department, Senior Consultant, Tan Tock Seng Hospital

7. Endowment and Foundation Funds’ Response to a Low-Yield Environment: A Discussion

Expansionary monetary policy as a response to COVID-19 and persistent low inflation has resulted in cash and fixed-income yields continuing to decline.

Many countries now have negative rates — and indeed some central banks like the US Federal Reserve and Australia’s RBA have stated that near-zero cash rates will be here for years to come as a response to low inflation and spare capacity in the economy.

Many endowments and foundations rely on yields from their investment portfolios to fund operations and support mission objectives. How have these organisations responded?  How has Mercer advised its clients in the face of lower traditional yields? 

In this breakout session, we address these issues and provide insight into the actions taken by endowments and foundations in dealing with this issue.

Facilitator:
Daly Chuang, Investment Consultant, Hong Kong

Panelists:
Beth Johnson, Senior Investment Consultant, St.Louis
Craig Hughes, Head of Delegated Solutions, Australia 

8. Retirement Funds’ Response to a Low-Yield Environment: A Discussion 

Yields on traditional fixed-income assets have moved lower in recent years, a trend that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  What does this mean for retirement funds in both the accumulation and draw-down phase? During this panel discussion, we explore the investment strategies being considered, and portfolio management actions being taken, by retirement funds in this challenging environment.

Facilitator:
Clayton Sills, Superannuation Client Segment Leader, Pacific

Panelists:
Doris Ho, Executive Director, Hospital Authority Provident Fund Scheme
Ian Fryer, General Manager, Chant West