In our recent discussions with some of the world’s super allocators, we have heard about their investment objectives and varying approaches to asset allocation.



In tandem with the growth in complexity, responsibility and sheer size of global investable assets, we’ve witnessed the growth of the role of the pension consultant firms, Mercer, WTW, Aon, assisting investing organisations around the world.



In this episode, Joanne Holden, their Global Head of Investment Research & Consulting, explains why a fascination with maths led her to actuarial work and then to investment consulting, and working for over two decades at Mercer.



She explains why investing institutions need consultants, how they use them, and how they approach the world of asset allocation and manager selection.



She also discusses, the issues around sustainability, manager analysis, and more broadly glass ceilings, resilience, and advice for young people thinking about finance.



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The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.








97: Helping Institutional Investors Invest With Confidence - With Jo Holden, Mercer’s Global Head of Investment Research & Consulting

The world of finance has a huge impact on all of us. This show aims to explore and unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the investing business, via interviews with masters of the real life money maze.

Expect tips for mastering capital allocation, making better business decisions, strategies for taking your career to the next level, and revelatory profiles of leading industry figures.

Whether you're a current or aspiring investment professional, a regular investor, or a student exploring career options, we hope you gain some helpful insights and enjoy the shows. Thank you for listening!

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Management

If you were asked ‘What is the London Stock Exchange Group, (LSEG)?’, most investors would answer, ‘the London Stock Exchange, of course.’ Yet, the correct answer would be, “well that’s only 5% of revenues today”, and then you might pause and wonder what the rest is…



In this conversation with David Schwimmer, a veteran of Goldman Sachs, and CEO of the LSEG since 2018, we examine an organisation that today has revenues of £8bn, an operating income of £2.8bn and a market capitalisation of approximately £50bn. LSEG is the 14th largest company in the UK, employing 25,000 people in 70 countries, and is now 4% owned by Microsoft (as of May 2024). 



David explains the LSEG business today, how they are the no.1 globally in real time financial data, how they serve customers in areas from risk-analytics, FX, bond trading, KYC, ALM verification. He discusses the partnership with Microsoft, and the rapid shifts in technology, as well as their impact on business execution and enhancing productivity.



Finally we have an earnest conversation about the UK, which has the second largest pension market in the world, London’s enviable position, and why persistent negative press around delisting may have created a stronger narrative than the facts would suggest.



​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors and the World Gold Council.



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140: LSEG: Partnering with Microsoft and Why London Remains a Leading Financial Hub - With LSEG CEO, David Schwimmer

Armed with a degree, MBA, MPA, and a PhD, the author of 5 bestselling books, a trained economist, a previous employee of Goldmans Sachs, a life peerage in the House of Lords, sought after board member, one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, and on Oprah Winfrey’s “O” Power List, our guest today seems to have it all!



Dambisa Moyo has written about why development aid to Africa isn’t working, the economic vulnerability of the West, China’s single minded-focus, why democracies are under threat, and how company boards can work more effectively. 



In this conversation we laser in on her assessment of developed markets’ economic growth, or lack thereof, and where she sees the investment opportunities.



She discusses where the UK and Germany are failing, why excessive regulation is a problem, how she weighs up bonds versus stocks, EM versus DM equities. 



She also covers why Warren Buffett may be spot on with his energy investments, and how the US economic boom masks a more stagnant picture in emerging markets (home to 90% of the world population). 



She finishes with some fabulous advice for young people: “No doesn’t mean never!”



​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors and the World Gold Council.



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138: Why the World Economy Gets a B Grade - With Baroness Dambisa Moyo (Economist, Legislator & Author)

Through direct, entertaining & insightful interviews with masters of the real life money maze, we hope to learn about different approaches to allocating capital, making business decisions and navigating the pitfalls that line the paths to prosperity. 



Each episode, with invite leading figures from the investment management and finance sector onto the show, who share their investment insights and career tips with our community. We're driven by a commitment to opening up the industry, which can often be shrouded in the fog of jargon and apparent complexity. 



To provide listeners with a wider perspective, we also occasionally feature guests from the arts or wider business world.



The interviews is available completely free on all major podcast apps, on YouTube and via www.moneymazepodcast.com



If you have any questions or guest ideas, feel free to email us at info@moneymazepodcast.com.



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​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors and the World Gold Council.






137: Money Maze Podcast 2024 Trailer

Back in September 2021, we met with Nic Cary of Blockchain.com, which was already well on its way to becoming one of the world’s leading digital asset platforms.  



Since then cryptocurrency volatility has been extraordinary, and witness to wild gyrations, the imprisonment Sam Bankman-Fried, SEC action, regulatory hand wringing and then this year, BlackRock’s launch of one of several crypto ETFs (approved by the SEC), and Bitcoin's halving last weekend.



In this conversation Nic makes the case for crypto to a sceptical Simon, discussing the importance of blockchain technology, the growth of the crypto markets, scarcity, risk, speculation, institutional versus retail participation, and of course, the merits of gold vs crypto.



Blockchain has now grown to be one of the world’s largest crypto infrastructure providers, enabling both institutions and individuals to buy, sell, utilise, understand and exchange crypto products. Since being co-founded by Nic in 2011, they’ve facilitated about a third of all bitcoin network transactions, processing over $1tn in transaction volume for 37m users.



Also joining this conversation was Will Campion of Campion Capital (who set up the podcast with Simon), making his debut appearance on the show!



​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, and IFM Investors. 



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136: Cryptocurrencies: Ill-Advised Speculation or an Alternative Asset Class? With Nic Cary, Co-Founder and Vice Chair at Blockchain.com

In this interview, we return to Canada. Having interviewed Jo Taylor of OTPP last year, this time we sought out one of the most well-known and successful women in private equity, someone who is also proving to be a huge role model for young women pursuing careers in the investment industry. 



Suyi Kim, educated at the University of Seoul and then Stanford, explains the attraction PE had for her as she pivoted from consultancy.



She discusses sourcing the deals, when they entered and exited Alibaba, the differences in the opportunities in PE investing across continents, and importantly, how they approach China. 



She discusses how PE has changed, why it remains a bottom-up process, the potential for high returns, and why it is an attractive business for young people to consider. Finally; she shares her two most important words: “Be Curious”!



​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders and IFM Investors



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97: Helping Institutional Investors Invest With Confidence - With Jo Holden, Mercer’s Global Head of Investment Research & Consulting

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