By Ian Sayers
Ian Sayers, Chief Executive
Welcome to this edition of ‘Beacon’, which features articles on ‘overboarding’ and the changing shareholder profile of investment companies. We also take a look at a new service launched by the AIC for investors looking to build an income portfolio.
Please click on the ‘Contents’ tab at the top of the page to see chapter headings so that you can dip in and out according to what interests you most. 2019 has seen the investment company sector’s assets hit new highs, exceeding £190bn for the first time at the end of April 2019.
Fund raising is also significantly up on the same period in 2018, with some £2.8bn having been raised in 2019 to date. Most of this has been from existing funds raising new money, as the conditions for IPOs remain challenging.
March also saw the AIC UK Conference 2019 ‘Preparing for the next generation’. The programme this year was firmly focused on the future considering some of the big drivers of change that will shape demand for investment companies in the years ahead. Over 400 non-exec directors and senior professionals from the sector came together for the conference and BBC’s Huw Edwards expertly moderated the day, bringing a blend of both humour and seriousness to the key issues.
Expert speakers covered areas such as the potential impact of disruptive technologies in financial services, how economies and markets may react in a world of profound political change both at home and abroad, the rise of alternatives, and where demand for investment companies may come from in the future. If you weren’t able to attend the conference in person, you can download the presentations and other conference materials here.
We hope you find the articles in this edition interesting and informative. As ever, please do let know if there are any issues you would like covered in future editions. Ian Sayers Chief Executive T: 020 7282 5612 E: Ian.Sayers@theaic.co.uk