IFN OnAir

Andrew Selous, Former UK Government Minister and Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy

A strong listing franchise for Sukuk and Islamic funds remains central to the UK and Ireland’s Islamic markets offering, but is not the only route to Shariah-compliant financing. We examine how structured real-asset finance, private credit, securitisation, infrastructure and transition-finance vehicles, and digital platforms can complement listings and broaden market relevance. We also explore the growing role of SROI in assessing impact, and ask how innovation and regulatory clarity can support a more flexible, liquid and diversified ecosystem.

Moderator:

Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Executive Director, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings

Panelists:

Dr Arshadur Rahman, Senior Manager, Bank of England
Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Neil McCarroll, Partner, Mourant Law
Shabnam Mokhtar, Managing Director, SHAPE Knowledge Services

Eldorbek Umirkulov, Head of Treasury Department, Open Bank

Stéphane Brown, Chairman and Co-founder, Association of Shariah Asset Management

Patrick Drum, Fixed Income Lead and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital

Shariah-compliant pensions remain limited, particularly within workplace schemes and default fund options, despite strong unmet demand. We examine how providers can close gaps in access, scale and pricing through digital platforms, Shariah-screened investment strategies and Takaful-based retirement income solutions, and how these innovations can support the development of credible and competitive Shariah-compliant pension offerings.

Moderator:

Sefian Kasem, Global Head of ETF and Indexing Investment Specialists and Lead Investment Specialist Portfolio Advisory and OCIO, HSBC Global Asset Management

Panelists:

James Lawrence, Chief Investment Officer, Smart Pension
Muzzammil Dhedhy, Executive Director and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Hejaz Group
Tolibjon Tursunov, Investment Manager, Baillie Gifford

Max Freeman, Founder, Epicenter Labs

Abdulwahhab Abed, Chief Executive Officer, SEDCO Capital

Islamic asset management faces product scarcity, pushing managers toward alternatives and real assets, now increasingly supported by data analytics, digital custody and tokenisation. How is technology reshaping portfolio construction, screening methodologies, reporting and access to private markets for both retail and global investors? How can managers further develop effective Islamic products while leveraging fintech infrastructure, AI-driven research and digital distribution to deliver competitive performance and effective governance?

Stella Cox CBE, FCSI(Hon), DDCAP Group™, Chair of IFMAG, TheCityUK