Critical thinking

In this episode of Critical Thinking, Anubhuti Gupta and Adeline Tan tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing endowments and foundations: delivering sustainable returns amid rising market concentration, volatility, and lower future expectations. 

They discuss how diversification beyond traditional equities, smarter liquidity management, and strong governance frameworks are essential to building resilient, future-ready portfolios. Whether you are a CIO, investment committee member, or advisor to E&Fs, this conversation offers actionable ideas for navigating today's volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous investment landscape. 

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. 

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In this episode of Critical Thinking, Andreas Vermeiren, Principal in Mercer's Insurance Solutions team, is joined by William Gibbons, Principal in the Insurance Solutions team, and Eryn Bacewich, Head of US Insurance Solutions, to discuss their thoughts on risk management in insurance portfolios during a period of increased market volatility and the opportunities this presents to agile investors.

Drawing on their experience and conversations with clients, including some of the world's largest insurers, William and Eryn break down the current volatility in equity and bond markets, the importance of stress testing portfolios to ensure they remain resilient, and strategies available to insurers to reduce their exposure. They also discuss the opportunities in the market for insurers who can dynamically reallocate their assets to ensure their portfolios are optimally positioned.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer's opinions.

This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.

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In this episode, Alan Synnott, Mercer’s Global Head of Real Assets, is joined by Anne Koeman-Sharapova and Simon James to explore how institutional investors are repositioning their real estate allocations in light of market resets and evolving sector dynamics.

They discuss why real estate remains a core private markets asset, where valuation corrections have opened potential opportunities, trends they are seeing across different geographies and sectors, and how global diversification of real estate investing may offer potential benefits for today’s investors.

This podcast contains statements on historical performance which may not be repeated in the future. Please note that returns on investments are not guaranteed.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.

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In this episode, Robert Ronneberger, Head of Business Development for Asia, is joined by Dave McMillan, Chief Investment Officer, Hedge Funds, to explore how investors can future-proof their portfolios — specifically within hedge funds. Robert and Dave examine the most common mistakes seen in hedge fund investing, the impact of recent market volatility and other significant changes, such as the normalization of interest rates, and the potential  opportunities in  today's markets.

This podcast contains statements on historical performance which may not be repeated in the future. Please note that returns on investments are not guaranteed.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.

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As trade tensions, uncertainty over the direction of interest rates, and pension reforms reshape the investment landscape, liability-driven investing (LDI) may provide a source of stability. In this episode, Jeffrey Dissmann, who leads Mercer’s Investments business in Germany, is joined by Sheena Frost, Lead of the Europe ex-UK Portfolio Management Solutions Team at Mercer and Rik Klerkx, Chief Investment Officer LDI and Private Markets at Cardano Netherlands, to discuss how investors across Europe are adapting their LDI strategies.

The discussion spans regulatory variations, the resurgence of bonds, inflation hedging challenges, and the operational plumbing that may facilitate resilient portfolios. Together, they examine the trade-offs between swaps and sovereign bonds, the growing role of private assets, and lessons learned from the UK’s LDI crisis.

This podcast contains statements on historical performance which may not be repeated in the future. Please note that returns on investments are not guaranteed.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.

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In this episode, Niall O’Sullivan, Global Solutions Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Olaolu Aganga, US Chief Investment Officer, Rupert Watson, Global Head of Economics & DAA, and Mike Forestner, Global Chief Investment Officer, Private Markets, to examine the causes of recent market volatility and the implications across public and private markets.

The conversation leverages Mercer’s investment relationships with both asset owners and asset managers to share insights on how industry leaders are responding, as well as our own thinking on how to approach the rest of 2025. In particular, we argue this is a crucial moment for long-term investors to trust the resilience of their portfolios, which have been designed to withstand short-term market fluctuations.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.

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In this episode of Critical Thinking, Amit Popat, Global Head of Financial Institutions at Mercer, is joined by Han Dieperink, Chief Investment Officer of Auréus, and Richard De Groot, Head of Global Investment Center at ABN AMRO Bank. 

Recorded live at Mercer’s Global Investment Forum, together they explore how the wealth management industry is adapting to shifting client expectations, regulatory pressures, and advancements in technology.

Key takeaways include:

• Evolving client expectations: While the fundamentals of wealth management remain unchanged, clients now demand greater personalisation, transparency, and access to alternative investments.
  
  
• The role of AI and technology: AI-driven tools are helping to streamline operations, improve client communication, and enhance investment decision-making. However, firms must balance automation with the human relationships that remain central to private banking.
  
  
• Navigating regulatory challenges: Increasing compliance requirements place significant demands on IT budgets and resources, forcing firms to prioritise innovation while meeting regulatory obligations.
  
  
• The rise of private markets: Alternative investments, particularly private equity, are becoming more accessible to wealth management clients. However, challenges remain in fund selection, operational due diligence, and scaling access to a broader client base.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. 

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In this episode of Critical Thinking, Manish Solanki, Head of Mercer Sentinel Group Europe, is joined by Tony Martinez, Head of Mercer Sentinel Americas, and Ashleigh McDowell, Principal at Mercer Sentinel Group, to explore why Operational Due Diligence is becoming an essential component of investment decision-making.

With increasing market volatility, regulatory pressures, and rapid technological advancements - including the rise of AI and cybersecurity threats - asset managers are facing new and complex operational risks. The conversation delves into how investors can mitigate these challenges, ensure robust governance, and protect their portfolios from operational failures.

Key takeaways include:

• The growing impact of AI and cybersecurity on operational risk: Asset managers are increasingly relying on AI-driven tools to enhance efficiency, but this comes with significant risks, including data manipulation, AI-generated fraud, and cybersecurity threats. The rise of sophisticated phishing attacks and deepfake technology has heightened the risk of financial losses, making it critical for asset managers to implement AI risk management frameworks, conduct rigorous testing, and enhance cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive information.
  
  
• Why regulatory changes are reshaping operational due diligence: The financial industry is undergoing significant regulatory shifts, with new frameworks such as the Digital Operational Resilience Act in Europe imposing stricter compliance requirements. These regulations demand greater oversight, increased reporting, and enhanced operational risk management practices. Asset managers must adapt quickly to avoid penalties, maintain investor confidence, and ensure operational resilience in an increasingly regulated landscape.
  
  
• How operational due diligence is evolving for private markets and emerging managers: As institutional investors allocate more capital to private markets, they face unique operational challenges, particularly with smaller, boutique asset managers. ODD plays a critical role in evaluating the governance, internal controls, and risk management processes of these firms. Investors are increasingly using ODD findings not only to vet managers but also to negotiate investment terms and ensure alignment with best practices in operational risk management.
  
  

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

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In this episode, William Gibbons, Senior Insurance Investment Consultant at Mercer, is joined by Tom Davies, Head of UK Placement, Marsh, and Olaolu Aganga, US Chief Investment Officer, Mercer, to explore how non-life insurers can potentially capture opportunities while maintaining resilience in an economic and market environment that's in a state of flux. The conversation covers how diversification could help insurers achieve long-term portfolio resilience, adapting to a new insurance market cycle, and how insurers can potentially enhance client offerings.

This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer's opinions.
This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.

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Marieke de Roo, Mercer's Leader in Europe for Single Family Offices and Endowments & Foundations, is joined by Texas Hemmaplardh and Cori Trautvetter, both Partners and Co-Leads of Mercer's US Endowment and Foundation Investment Practice, to explore how endowments and foundations can potentially achieve portfolio resilience in an economic and market environment that's in a state of flux. The conversation covers the challenge of diversification amidst a strong U.S. market, managing liquidity in the face of inflation and market shifts, governance may be a silent enabler of success, and the importance of aligning investments with organizational values.


This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer's opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract.


There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments.


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