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As Taylor Swift’s record breaking Eras Tour kicked off in the UK in June, investment banking analysts at TD Securities flagged that the musical phenomenon could be blamed for keeping interest rates higher-for-longer.

The singer-songwriter’s tour will have spanned the globe and lasted 21 months by the time it finishes its 149th show in Canada this December.

Following the cancellation of an album tour in 2020 and the subsequent release of four brand new albums, and the re-recording of four existing albums, Taylor Swift upped the ante and decided that she would create a concert experience representing all 10 of her studio albums.

The result has been remarkable. It is estimated that there have been 4.35 million tickets sold worldwide, making Taylor Swift a billionaire. The tour itself grossed more than $1 billion during its first eight months, and is estimated to have given a £1 billion boost to the UK economy alone.

The scale of the tour’s economic impact has led to the coining of the term Swiftonomics. While concerts have been known to boost local revenues, who could have anticipated how much influence the Eras Tour would have on the local economies in cities where she performed.

Hotels and restaurants were inundated with national and international visitors, as many opted to get whichever tickets they could get their hands on, including in other continents. Travelodge reported as early as August 2023 that all rooms in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Liverpool were sold out for the Tour dates, with revenue up at 21% per available room.

Coinciding with a high period of inflation, the Swiftonomics phenomenon was accused of contributing to its stickiness. Swiftflation has been used to describe the inflated prices in the tour’s host cities. When tour dates have fallen on key inflation data days, this has skewed the information. In turn, this affects the Bank of England’s decision of whether to cut interest rates, or not.

Earlier this month, while Swift was on the continental Europe leg of her tour, the Bank of England decided to cut rates for the first time since 2020, as some economists think that the UK is on track to shaking inflation off.

However, as Taylor Swift returned to perform in London over the weekend, data last week showed inflation creeping back up. Maybe the T.D. Securities analysts were right about the influence the Eras Tour has on holding rates? We’ll find out in the coming months what impact the second leg of the UK tour will have on the UK’s Swiftlation rate.

How and why did you decide to go into communications?

I really enjoy engaging with people and find language very interesting. My fascination with understanding how people think and convey their thoughts led me to study the philosophy in my undergraduate degree, including the philosophy of language. This helped me appreciate the nuances of communication more – and the ways it shapes our interactions and society. Pursuing a career in communications allows me to bring together an enjoyment of human interaction with hearing diverse perspectives.

Describe your working pattern of the course of an average week and how you find a work-life balance.

I find that it’s good to start the week at the office, so I tend to be part of the group that comes into the office on Mondays. It is also great to have the flexibility of the option to work from home as it gives me the chance to visit my family more.

Thanks to the central location, working from the office gives great opportunities to socialise with friends in different areas of London after work.  It’s always fun to visit client offices, too!

What areas or trends interest you the most at this time?

I studied politics at university and this record-breaking election year has been a fascinating backdrop for the asset management industry. The range of impacts which various elections can have for managers has been great to learn about. It shows just how entwined everything is!

Elections in emerging markets have been particularly interesting this year, with their changes to policy direction, market volatility, and investor sentiment offering both challenges and opportunities for our clients.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like being quite active so I cycle to work and try to fit a few runs in each week, weather permitting. I am also part of a mixed netball team. The winter season is thankfully played indoors, but now in the summer season, we get to play outdoors in a park which is a great way to spend warm evenings.

I’m also a member of Côr Llundain, a Welsh choir based in London. We’ve had a very fun year. In March, we celebrated St David’s Day at the Guildhall and had the opportunity to sing the national anthems at the Wales vs. France Six Nations game in Cardiff. We went international and won a competition in the Pan Celtic Festival in Carlow, Ireland in April. The summer has been great as we have just recorded a song with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and competed in the Welsh National Eisteddfod last week.

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to.

I recently finished “Phantom” by Jo Nesbo. Phantom is the ninth in the series following Harry Hole, a detective in the Oslo police force, as he races to solve a murder tied to a family member during a drugs-induced crisis in the city. While it is a little gruesome, I enjoy reading mysteries and crime books because I like the page turning impact. Reading the series has been a long-term project and I’m now nearing the end of the series. Despite the somewhat morbid depiction in the books, I would love to visit Oslo!

Name one goal, professional or personal, you have set yourself for the next 12 months.

My personal goal for the next year is to start running more long distances. It is something that I have done and enjoyed in the past. Summer weekends are a great opportunity to run to a new area of London – and catch the train back.

Stanton is a full-service communications agency with a presence in New York, California and Toronto. Over the past two decades, Stanton has worked with a wide variety of firms in financial services, including private equity, private credit and asset management, helping clients raise their profiles, build their reputations, and grow their businesses.

JPES and Stanton recently hosted a successful joint event, Building Global Financial Brands in a Volatile Media Environment, at The Lambs Club in New York City, providing insights and advice on the nuances between profile raising in the US and international markets.

Earlier this month, Stanton also announced it had been ranked as a Top 10 PR firm for financial services in the US by O’Dwyer’s Public Relations News for the fourth consecutive year.

The news follows the appointment by JPES in 2022 of Niels Andersen, who joined as a senior US consultant to expand the firm’s overseas business development and strategy team, having held a variety of senior roles in the investment industry over the last 30 years.

Commenting on the news, Miles Donohoe, Managing Director of JPES Partners, said: “Since we were established 15 years ago, JPES Partners has implemented global communications strategies for its clients across five continents. As the needs of our clients continue to evolve, this new partnership enables us to offer truly end-to-end international support to our clients seeking to strategically raise their profile in North America”.

Charlyn Lusk, Managing Director at Stanton, added: “We are strong believers that independent firms are best positioned to serve clients and, in an era of corporate consolidation, partnerships like this between independent leaders deliver outsize value to clients. Our shared financial services domain expertise, content focus and vision of client service will ensure a seamless experience for JPES’ global clients”.

Last year I wrote a short piece on the news that City AM, the free business-focused newspaper in London, had reached the decision to discontinue its Friday print edition owing to a dwindling audience.

It is impressive then that since the news last January, City AM is going from strength-to-strength, with a new owner pouring money into the worthwhile ‘freesheet’ and attracting a pool of talented journalists who are publishing some rather punchy stuff (I direct you to a headline from earlier this year).

Unfortunately this turn around in fortunes has not been the inflection point that the free newspaper media of London have been looking for, with news last week that the London Evening Standard is closing its daily newspaper production in preference for a new weekly publication.

Now one can expect certain commentators to declare this to be another casualty of the WFH phenomenon, though it does feel that this jack-of-all-trades excuse is beginning to run a little thin.

What is more likely is that the continued rise of online media has put real pressure on physical newspaper readership. The Standard reported an average distribution per issue of 274,538 in April this year. A decade ago it was more than three times that at 897,610.

Why is this the case? Well, you only need to look about on commuter trains and buses and notice how passengers are more interested in podcasts, television shows, or even online newspapers than traditional print copy – utilising ever expanding Wi-Fi and internet connectivity across the capital, including 25% of the tube network!

Whilst a reduction in newspapers cluttering up luggage racks and draped over vacant seats might be celebrated in some quarters, dwindling audiences in any format means less revenue and therefore a smaller editorial team. That’s not a good outcome for anyone.

Now it is obvious that the quoted losses of £84.5m are not sustainable for any media outlet, and the publication’s chair, Paul Kanareck, commented that it his intention “to reshape the business, return to profitability and secure the long-term future of the number one news brand in London.”

Many other city-based/regional newspapers have been through similar processes over the last decade, but this will be a crumb of comfort for the many journalists at the Standard now facing a consultation period.

Thankfully there is a recent example of such a turnaround in fortunes within the City of London – but it requires money, commitment from the top, and a platform that facilitates, and benefits from, the more modern way of digesting the news.

How and why did you decide to go into communications?

I started coding and developing my data analysis skills during my degree in Earth and Planetary Science. I have always aspired to have a career in an area that applies these data skills to real-world situations and make a meaningful impact. My role as a data analyst for JPES Partners combines these skills and allows me to embrace the challenge of interpreting complex data and translating it into actionable insights for clients.

Describe your working pattern over the course of an average week and how you find a work-life balance.

In an average week, I spend three days in the office and two days working from home. In the office, I enjoy catching up with the team to ensure that I am prioritising tasks that maximise their impact and productivity. I also try to make the most of the quick and easy nature of face-to-face problem-solving. On my work-from-home days, I appreciate the quiet environment and tend to work on more difficult coding projects that require a deeper focus. The reduced commute time also gives me more opportunities to exercise, meal prep, and see friends.

What areas or trends interests you the most at this time?

Despite the reduced momentum and waning interest recently, one area that still captivates me is sustainable investing. I find it intriguing because it aligns financial returns with positive social and environmental impact, which is crucial for long-term growth. Innovations in green technology, renewable energy, and ethical business practices continue to drive this field forward. Sustainable investing not only addresses pressing global issues but also reflects a broader shift towards responsible and impactful investment strategies. This enduring relevance makes it a fascinating area to explore, even in the face of fluctuating interest.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I love to stay active and explore the world around me. I enjoy hiking and traveling to new places, immersing myself in different cultures and natural landscapes. Exercising is a big part of my routine; I play tennis with friends, go to the gym, and take long walks to stay fit. Additionally, I have a passion for cooking. Inspired by my travels, I experiment with various cuisines to create unique and flavourful dishes.

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to.

As an Earth science graduate, I love reading books that expand my understanding of the natural world and our place within it. The last book I read was Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. This fascinating exploration delves into the often-overlooked world of fungi, revealing their profound impact on life on Earth.

Sheldrake perfectly captures the complexity and significance of fungi, highlighting their roles in ecosystems, medicine, and human culture. Fungi form vast underground networks known as mycelium, which connect plants and facilitate nutrient exchange, essentially acting as nature’s internet. This interconnectedness challenges our traditional notions of individuality and cooperation.

The book also explores the potential of fungi in biotechnology and environmental sustainability, showcasing their ability to decompose plastic and create new materials. In my opinion, Entangled Life is a must-read for anyone interested in the intricate web of life and the hidden wonders of the fungal kingdom.

Name one goal, professional or personal, you have set yourself for the next 12 months.

One professional goal I have set for myself is to master front-end coding, including JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. By complementing my Python and back-end programming skills, I aim to become a more versatile and proficient developer, capable of creating comprehensive and dynamic web applications. This will not only enhance my technical abilities but also open up new opportunities for growth and innovation within JPES.

A personal goal of mine is to improve my 5k time. A recent client event sparked my competitive nature, motivating me to train harder and achieve a faster time in the next race.

The saga of Wirecard, the now infamous German payment processing company that collapsed four years ago, continues to plumb new depths with reports in the Financial Times that its fugitive former COO Jan Marsalek may have used the company as a shadow financial network to facilitate a vast Russian operation to spy on European citizens.

The downfall of Wirecard initially centred on allegations of widespread accounting irregularities, with the first concern flagged as far back as 2008. Much has been written since about how the company’s poor corporate culture allowed ethical and compliance failures to remain unchecked for years.

While Wirecard is an extreme example of the impact that a toxic corporate culture can have on an organisation, it also illustrates how it can be symptomatic of far more serious underlying issues, and why it is such a red flag for major stakeholders.

In some ways, corporate culture is an intangible asset that is hard to define and even harder to measure; yet in the asset management industry it has become a key factor in how asset owners select the asset managers they choose to invest with. Indeed, in some respects it appears to play a bigger role than even investment performance.

Our latest 2024 JPES Partners Asset Owner Study found that 97% of asset owners (across pension schemes, charities, insurers, wealth managers and platforms) believe demonstrating a positive corporate culture is a key part of their selection criteria of asset managers. Yet, the same study showed that 84% of the asset owners surveyed felt that managers fell short in this regard.

Understanding and defining a corporate culture is inherently subjective as it can be perceived differently by individuals in an organisation. It’s for this reason that any attempt to define it must be an inclusive process in itself. It must start from the top and have the buy-in at a C-suite level; but it can’t just be defined by leadership – it needs to involve and include the views of the wider organisation.

The Thinking Ahead Institute has produced much content in recent years on how asset managers, and indeed asset owners themselves, can start to analyse and measure their own culture,  looking at factors such as openness, clarity and consistency by leaders of organisations. Factors it seems that were missing at Wirecard.

A positive corporate culture instils confidence in investors that their interests are aligned with those of the asset manager. Indeed, it implies that the organisation may also have more effective risk management procedures and robust governance.

JPES Partners is hosting a seminar later this month and will be publishing a report on how asset managers can better understand and define their own corporate culture, what this means for consultant and client relations teams and how they can more effectively demonstrate this to external audiences.

How and why did you decide to go into communications?

After spending a year teaching English as a foreign language in France and having studied languages and business at university, I quickly realised that I wanted to pursue a career in communications. I believed it was a perfect way to build on my interest in the power of words in bridging cultural gaps and facilitating understanding across different perspectives. As a result, when I came back to London, I was drawn to a career in financial communications! It felt like an immediate great fit for me, especially as I love how working in communications gives me the opportunity to work across diverse projects, leverage my language skills, and explore my curiosity for what’s happening in the world.

Describe your working pattern over the course of an average week and how you find a work-life balance.

I enjoy the flexibility in choosing some of the days I am in the office, and as a result am often part of the small but devoted group that comes into the office on Mondays. I feel that by doing this, I’m able to properly mark the start of my working week and also enjoy the other benefits to coming in on a Monday – total control of the office speaker, quieter journeys in, and less queueing at the food stalls on Leather Lane! I also enjoy coming together with the whole team in the office on our set days, and tend to head out after work to explore all that Clerkenwell and Farringdon have to offer. It’s proven to be a really helpful way for me to strike a great work-life balance.

What areas or trends interests you the most at this time?

One area that currently intrigues me, and that I’d like to learn more about, is healthcare investment. It’s a sector that we were all naturally exposed to through the Covid pandemic, and it has been fascinating to witness how it has changed since. I find it especially interesting for its huge growth potential due to the ongoing advancements in technology, demographic shifts, and the increasing focus on healthcare accessibility and innovation. It’s also quite amusing to see market leaders naturally reflecting what’s going on around us – I’m looking at the Hollywood Ozempic epidemic on that one!

What do you do in your spare time?

I love film and I go to the cinema mostly every week. One of my favourite cinemas, the ICA, also has a fantastic bookshop, engaging art exhibitions, thought-provoking discussions and Q&A sessions, and an excellent bar and gig space. I really enjoy the fact that an outing can take on many different forms, so I’ll often be found there! On top of that, I have been stepping outside of my comfort zone recently and am excited about some concerts and festivals I have lined up for the rest of this year, both in the UK and abroad. Also, I enjoy watching football and tennis and have plans to take to the pitches and courts myself this year…

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to.

The last book I read was “Simple Passion”, an introspective novella by celebrated French writer Annie Ernaux, and hopefully my first of many of hers. It’s set in Paris, as is most of Ernaux’s work, and did an excellent job of evoking obsession and a sense of longing through its sharp, stark style and short diary-style entries. As for podcasts, I haven’t been listening to many of late as I have been much preferring audiobooks. Most recently, “I Who Have Never Known Men” by Jacqueline Harpman really captured my attention as it offered a thought-provoking narrative of a terrifying not-so-distant dystopian future that had me absolutely hooked. I completely understand people who say they “can’t get into” audiobooks –I think a large part of it is picking a book with a great narrator.

Name one goal, professional or personal, you have set yourself for the next 12 months.

A personal goal I have set myself for the next 12 months is to sketch more. I have always been interested in drawing, having set myself up with all the kit years ago, but only this year have I put pen to page, and I’ve really enjoyed my time with it. I’d like to make more of an effort to carry my sketchpad around with me and take inspiration from the everyday things – better than writing in a journal, I find it’s a great way to capture exactly how I’m feeling at a moment in time.

On 1 January 2024, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) expanded to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia. A sixth new member, Argentina, chose to withdraw at the last minute.

One assumes the acronym won’t be changing to reflect the new members, as BRICSUISEE certainly doesn’t sound as catchy. But was BRICS ever a useful term for a disparate group of countries, whose only real bond is being arguably the largest emerging economy in their respective geographies?

The original aim of the bloc was to promote the economic interests of the five founding nations. In reality, however, internal conflicts have hindered BRICS’ impact, such as the ongoing border dispute between India and China. A further point of contention between member countries is their varying closeness with the West. Brazil and India nurture these relationships, in stark contrast to the other BRICS members. In fact, Argentina cited its desire to strengthen international ties as a reason against joining BRICS.

From an economic perspective, BRICS appears to have achieved relatively little. Nevertheless, 23 countries formally applied to join. Saudi Arabia and UAE bring both geographical diversity and wealth to the bloc, while South Africa’s appetite for increasing African representation is whetted thanks to Ethiopia and Egypt’s membership.

For what self-identifies as a primarily economic bloc, it seems that the selection criteria were somewhat more focused on China’s international relations. The expansion has been described by international commentators as a diplomatic victory for the country, and indeed, all incoming BRICS members have signed up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative reinforcing China’s connection to the five new entrants.

Despite some Western concerns about the BRICS expansion, there have been few alarm bells. This could be attributed to BRICS’ short list of achievements so far or to the fact many of its decisions are politically steered. The latter may be a detriment in the eyes of the West when it comes to selecting new members, but it is a positive when considering BRICS’ own internal tensions.

These very reasons are why the usability of the term BRICS has been restricted. With its expansion, the acronym will now represent less than half of the constituent members. The key challenge is whether the bloc is able to maintain a sense of unity in the face of this expanding membership and a likely increase in diverging views.

Indeed, many investment funds that were launched as BRICS-focused have since closed or been merged into broader Emerging Markets portfolios, a trend that whilst taking place prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was certainly also consolidated by it.

So is BRICS still, or was it ever, a useful term when talking about emerging or developing economies?

Language is a constantly evolving medium and as ‘archaic’ terms like third world gave way to developing or emerging economies, so too do more modern acronyms fall out of favour. Unless the expanded BRICS bloc is able to deliver coherent policy decisions across its member base, it may well have run its course. For those commenting on emerging markets, it may be advisable to minimise the use of the term BRICS until they have a better indication of what this new iteration actually represents.

In his latest blog for CAIA Association, a global professional body for investment management, Niels shares valuable insights for asset managers facing the challenges of a competitive market. He emphasises the need for innovation in fundraising strategies, leveraging technology and data analytics. He also highlights the importance of updating marketing techniques to effectively attract new commitments and improve inflows.

You can read the full article here on CAIA’s website.

Miles Donohoe, Managing Director

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Diaz won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for Trust, among other accolades. It’s set in and around the early 20th century in the build up to, and consequence of, the Wall Street crash of 1929 and subsequent Great Depression. It’s character rather than event-led but the structure is very clever, and quite unique, with four sections all telling different parts of a story. I can’t say anymore as it would ruin the surprise – but well worth reading!

Duncan Lamb, Director, Head of Property

Jeeves and the Yule-tide Spirit by P.G. Wodehouse

An unexpected invite throws the Christmas plans of Bertie Wooster and his long- suffering valet, Jeeves, into disarray. Rather than the Winter sun of Monte Carlo, Jeeves and Wooster find themselves spending Christmas at Skeldings Hall, much to the disappointment of Jeeves, home of Lady Wickham, and her daughter Bobbie, the object of Bertie’s desire. Also in attendance is Sir Roderick Glossop, father of Bertie’s former fiancé, Honoria, and Tuppy Glossop, he who tricked Bertie into falling into the swimming pool at the Drones Club.

Priti Dey, Client Director

Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford

I am currently reading Christmas Pudding by Nancy Mitford to get myself in the Christmas spirit. It was a classic published in 1932, and the person at the bookstore described it as ‘like Bridgeton on Netflix’ but Christmas. It is a humorous and satirical work that explores several characters’ lives and romantic entanglements during the Christmas season.

Charlotte Walsh, Director

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus, which describes the life of a woman in 1950s/60s America, her career as a chemist which takes an unexpected turn as a TV chef as she finds herself as a single mother. It charts her struggles against sexism in the workplace, maintaining a career whilst also looking after her daughter and being a forward-looking role model for her, as well as how she deals with the loss of her partner.

Toby Bromige, Client Manager

Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett

A fantastic and very amusing book which is part of the wider Discworld series. No author, with perhaps the exception of Wodehouse, has the ability to observe the petty grievances and grumbles of life and make you laugh about it.

Noor Fatima, Client Assistant

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

From the devil and his entourage wreaking havoc in the Soviet capital, to the mysterious ailments haunting Pontius Pilate in Roman Jerusalem, this novel brings the supernatural of biblical sorts alive in the form of twisted tricksters haunting the people of Moscow and, amidst the chaos, meddling in an unfinished love story. It is a fun, politically daring, strange, historical, fast-paced, fantastical read to end the year on.

Maisy Saville, Data & Insights Analyst

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummings

American Dirt is a heartwarming declaration to the unbreakable bonds of family. This gripping novel follows a bookseller and her young son as they embark on a dangerous journey from Mexico to the US, to escape cartel violence. This deeply moving tale combines heart-pounding suspense with a profound exploration of human resilience and hope, and is one that you won’t be able to put down.

Lodovico Sanseverino, Associate Director

Kennedy 35 by Charles Cumming

I will be reading Kennedy 35, the third instalment of Charles Cumming’s Box 88 series. I really like reading old-fashioned spy novels à la John le Carré, where sleuthing was being done by agents on the field, rather than the Big Brother-ish drones and other eyes in the skies alike. Cumming’s Box 88 series is particularly enjoyable because, whilst set in our days and age, the adventures of the protagonist, Lachlan Kite, are based on the consequences of the covert activities he carried out in his youth amid real events that shaped the world’s history. In this way, the author is able to deliver two stories in one book with a distinguishing narrative non-fiction feel, which is another favourite genre of mine.

Elen Iorwerth, Client Executive

Expectation by Anna Hope

Based in Haggerston, Expectation follows a trio of women as they navigate their expectations – of themselves and each other. The book jumps between the characters’ mid-twenties and mid-thirties, following their friendships, relationships, careers, and family lives. Although the three of them are flatmates at an early stage, it’s an emotional story of their lives growing apart and back together again.

Sarah Toubman, Client Manager

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins

I recently enjoyed reading The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes by Suzanne Collins ahead of going to watch the film. The Hunger Games was one of my favourite series growing up, so it was a fun nostalgia trip!

Zana Kurshumlija, Client Executive

The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare

This month, I have been leaning into the winter chill with Ismail Kadare’s ‘The Palace of Dreams,’ a captivating novel that plunges you into a mysterious world of a bureaucratic dream-collecting institution. Set during the 19th century against the snowy landscapes of an unnamed Ottoman city, the books themes of isolation, introspection and political allegory make it a perfect choice to end the year on and offers an engaging and thought-provoking escape into a realm where dreams hold extraordinary power.

Julian shares key insights from JPES Partners’ 2024 Asset Owner research, offering an insight into asset owner priorities and allocation strategies. This invaluable information provides a roadmap for industry professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving market landscape.

Drawing on over three decades of experience in asset management, he shares insights into creating messaging that enhances marketing materials and positions firms as thought leaders in the investment sector.

Listen to the full podcast on YouTube; Spotify; Apple Podcasts

For JPES, this time of year also follows the publication of our asset owner research, where we survey asset owners, responsible for £2 trillion of assets under management across the investment spectrum including DB and DC pension schemes, wealth managers, fund platforms, investment consultants, fiduciary managers and insurers, about their asset allocation priorities for the year ahead.

As we review some of our key findings, and what they might mean for our clients, we can see where our research dovetails with current headlines. For example, as 70% of respondents tell us they are rethinking their investment strategies, particularly in relation to risk, we read a growing number of articles about the increasing influence of geopolitical risk, the effect it is having on corporates as they hire diplomats to advise them about ensuing crises, and how investors are asking for EM ex China funds and looking to other countries to reduce their exposure to this particular risk.

Similarly, our respondents told us that ESG is less top of mind than it was a year ago and reading the FT’s asset management annual round up, its second theme of the year is, “The ESG backlash.” Although this headline pertains more to the US than the UK and Europe, it was just a month ago that the same paper reported that UK investors were pulling money out of responsible investment funds, “at a record rate.” It is fair to say that as market conditions have become more challenging, it is an area of investment now under increasing scrutiny and regulation to ensure it can deliver for investors.

A year ago our research told us that demand for private markets was increasing. Today, with exit options for private equity more challenging, we see this area of the market has become more nuanced, as investors consider private credit and infrastructure. It remains an interesting time for the private / public markets in the UK and in Europe. In the UK, particularly as we head towards a General Election, the success of the UK economy, which has traditionally been tied to the success of the City, may become a key part of the campaign trail. So far questions remain over the efficacy of the Mansion House reforms, both for pensions and for UK companies. A recent Financial News headline reads, “A dam has to burst…” as bankers hope for a 2024 recovery. We have to hope that indeed the flow of capital returns to the UK.

Finally 2023 has seen Bonds return to favour with both institutional and retail investors as interest rates moved higher, although the jury remains out on for how long and whether inflation has been tamed or not. Our research shows asset owners plan to allocate particularly to Investment Grade and High Yield Bonds over the next 12 months, a sign that whilst the asset class is back, investors still need to be discerning as uncertainty looks set to remain.

For further information on the JPES Asset Owner research, “Navigating a new investment landscape: Asset owner priorities in 2024,” please contact our Head of Investment, Matt Rogers – matt.rogers@jpespartners.com

The use of social media in corporate communications is deeply entrenched in today’s world, with very few likely to dispute the crucial role that such technologies play in a firm’s communications strategy.

However, as ways of communicating via social media as well as the platforms in use themselves begin to shift, it will become more and more important to ensure that social media and corporate communications strategies remain aligned.

As X—formerly known as Twitter—becomes an increasingly controversial platform, LinkedIn has only grown in popularity, especially amongst younger audiences. January 2023 data shows that 60% of LinkedIn users are between the ages of 25 and 34. Meanwhile, in a November 2023 interview with FastCompany, Suzi Owens, senior director of corporate communications at LinkedIn, shared that “Gen Z is networking the most on the platform, making the most connections month-over-month,” based on internal company data.

While alternatives to Twitter, such as Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky, have recently materialised, none of the three has yet emerged as a clear winner.

As a result, it is all the more important to ensure that a brand’s LinkedIn profile works in lockstep with its larger communication strategy, beyond its original employer branding purposes.

From an external communications perspective, LinkedIn can be an essential tool for interested parties to learn about relevant company moves, such as new hires, product launches, and firm expansion.

LinkedIn can also be a useful tool from an internal communications point of view, as in-sync social and traditional media strategies can help welcome new hires or celebrate promotions, for example.

As such, LinkedIn is a platform on which a firm’s internal and external communications strategies intersect, and the use of such channels should take into account the needs and limitations of both communications teams.

One of the most crucial—and often overlooked—elements in aligning communications and social media strategies on such announcements is timing. Arranging a dedicated LinkedIn post to directly follow a broader corporate announcement to the press can maximise audience reach, and also recognise new and existing employees for their accomplishments.

However, LinkedIn is an increasingly personalised platform, where individuals may not always be posting as representatives of a company. Thus, it is important not only to align social media and corporate communications strategies with each other, but also across all areas of a business. Employees from all business areas should be invited to join conversations about communications and social media strategies, as well as welcomed to actively contribute to them to enhance their individual, business and employer brand awareness synergistically.

Becoming comfortable working with relevant communications professionals can help individuals express themselves online while still working within corporate communications guidelines, and towards the firm’s larger goals. To this end, engaging a firm’s key online stakeholders in corporate communications processes can also help prevent the pre-emptive disclosure of plans which are still in the pipeline.

If nothing else, at least this year’s statement hasn’t been met with the consternation and upheaval caused by last year’s announcement, when a Liz Truss led government triggered a widespread gilt selloff by seeking to push through a roster of unfunded tax cuts.

Nevertheless, the response to the 2024 announcement has probably still not been what the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, would have hoped for – a mixed reception with questions raised over the extent to which policies will actually deliver.

The Chancellor’s stated focus was to support economic growth. The fact that he subsequently referenced backing “British business with 110 growth measures” shows how difficult that task will be.

Reductions in national insurance, investments in technology (particularly AI) and manufacturing, and business rate cuts sound good on paper. However, they come with a sizeable counterpoint from commentators – that the current state of the economy may not give as much headroom as the government has indicated. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded expectations for growth to 0.7% next year, having previously predicted in March that 2024 growth would be 1.8%.

And, what of investment and pensions issues? An overhaul of Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) has potentially positive implications for some investment providers, with confirmation that Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs) and Property Authorised Investment Funds (PAIFs) will be eligible for inclusion in an ‘Innovative Finance ISA’. Consultation over pensions reforms and the potential creation of a ‘pot for life’ model (where savers would have a single pension pot and could require employers to pay into that rather than designated corporate schemes) may also have an impact, though it remains to be seen if this will actually come to fruition.

All in all, there was not too much for the investment industry to get excited about. The statement does, however, reiterate that the responsibility for investment decisions and protecting one’s financial future lies firmly with individual consumers themselves. This (continued) move to more of a retail-like landscape is something providers will need to be very conscious of, with brand messaging and profile playing an increasing role in business’ success.

Much, then, for the UK market to chew over, particularly as an election increasingly looms large.

The written word is now the dominant form of global communication. Whether it’s an abbreviated text, a wordy email or, as recent events have vividly illustrated, an ill-judged WhatsApp exchange, we now invariably reach for a keyboard when we want to communicate.

The total number of voice calls made from UK mobile phones and landlines has declined significantly. Take this staggering statistic: in 2012, a total of 235 billion minutes of UK calls were made. By last year, this had declined to 202 billion (if you’re wondering, the shortfall is the equivalent of spending around 60,000 years on the phone).

Given the ever-presence of the phone in our pocket it’s quite surprising how little we want to talk. Which is a pity because – next to meeting someone face-to-face – talking on the phone is the best way to get to know someone and often sort out an issue which might take a prolonged written exchange. Of course, the expediency of copying others into an exchange often drives this behaviour, and you cannot deny the efficiency of not having to repeat yourself subsequently to everyone who may ‘need-to-know’.

However, with the importance of the written word for communication in both a professional and private capacity, perhaps we should pay more attention to how we write?

The common issue with the written word in business communication is that the short-form style which we often employ can appear impersonal, abrupt and, at worst, unclear. In short, the nuance of what we’re trying to say can get lost.

What might be a perfectly acceptable one sentence question in-person, can feel curt when fired across in an email. And a lack of basic formatting/punctuation or even word choice can give the wrong impression and ultimately lead to crossed-wires and misunderstandings.

Whilst the solution might be to pick up the phone and speak to someone in person, that sometimes is not an option. We all know people whose phone seems to always go to voicemail and, in the media sector, an increasing number of journalists are very clear that they only wish to be approached by email.

And, of course, our native language adds another layer of complexity. If you’re writing in a language which is not your own then the syntax of your mother tongue will still shape how you express yourself. The upside is that there is no accent to obscure the importance of what you’re saying.

This also applies to the natives of a country. A recent study by the University of Essex has revealed that in London, the traditional extremes of ‘Cockney’ or the ‘King’s English’ have been supplanted by three new variants: Southern British English; Estuary English; and Multi-Cultural London English – with Prince Harry, Adele and Stormzy being cited as examples of each respectively. Each are all English but all have their own linguistic nuance.

Perhaps the key to knowing when to write or call should be defined by knowing when each mode will be most effective. So, stopping to think about when an email will be most effective (for example, when you need to give the recipient some thinking time) or you should call (maybe when previous emails have failed to elicit a response?) is perhaps always the key. But don’t write-off the phone: it can still be good to talk.

How and why did you decide to go into communications?

I decided to go into PR following a year in South America after University where I had managed the British Chamber of Commerce in Quito, Ecuador, recruiting new clients, producing a quarterly magazine and organising events.

I had always been interested in the media and had completed a number of work experience placements at UK national and local newspapers, as well as stints at a radio station and a national paper in Ecuador.

However, I decided I enjoyed the client interaction I had experienced at the Chamber of Commerce and the multi-faceted nature of the role, so embarked on a career in communications..

How have you found hybrid working over the last few months?

As a working mum, hybrid working and increased flexibility in the workplace has been invaluable. It means I can focus on my work, either at home or in the office, whilst also being present for my children.

I really enjoy the peace and quiet of Mondays at home, after what has usually been a hectic weekend, to focus on the things I need to get done and to tick all the items off my to do list. I then look forward to my time in the office, interacting with colleagues and clients, and enjoying the busy and fun environment we have at JPES.

What areas or trends interests you the most at this time?

There are a couple of areas I tend to skip to and that interest me. The first is investment in UK companies and the debate around the functionality of the UK market including the lack of research now for smaller companies, not to mention the lack of airtime given to these companies in the media. It’s an issue that is gaining traction and one that needs addressing to ensure the success of the City ecosystem, UK plc, the economy at large and the delivery of investment returns.

The other area I’m interested in, from a personal and professional point of view, is the ongoing debate about women in the workplace and how to increase their presence and seniority. I’m always slightly bemused by it; it’s not a difficult problem to solve but it requires businesses to consider issues such as flexibility – for women and for men. It is on the agenda but now requires more businesses to commit to change.

What do you do in your spare time?

When I’m not working most of my time is dedicated to our two girls and ferrying them to their various commitments; I spend a lot of time on the sidelines of hockey and cricket pitches.

I also like to run myself – usually with my cockapoo in tow – albeit if I can go alone it’s definitely my preferred option as I can put my headphones on and enjoy some peace!

And when I get the chance I love going to the theatre or to a concert or sporting event – we’ve managed to enjoy a few different events over the last couple of years and reaped the benefit of living in London.

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to?

The last book I read was “Lessons in Chemistry,” which describes the life of a woman in 1950s/60s America, her career as a chemist which takes an unexpected turn as a TV chef as she finds herself as a single mother. It charts her struggles against sexism in the workplace, maintaining a career whilst also looking after her daughter and being a forward-looking role model for her, as well as how she deals with the loss of her partner. In many ways it highlights how the world has moved on whilst some of the themes it tackles remain relevant today – particularly regarding trying to be a good role model, be that at home or in the workplace.

Name one goal, professional or personal, you have set yourself for the next 12 months

I’m not very good at setting specific goals for myself but one of my many reasons for joining JPES was to increase my expertise in a specific sector, having worked across sectors for much of my career. So my professional goal is to further deepen my knowledge of the investment industry.

Many years ago, I was having lunch with a London office agent who mentioned in passing that he’d just been appointed on a new office development on Oxford Street. My words of congratulation were met with a roll of the eyes and the explanation that ‘no one really wants an office on Oxford Street’. His take was that neither occupiers – nor their visitors – relished the process of ploughing through a sea of shoppers and tourists to get in and out of an office. “It doesn’t scream quality does it?”, was his withering verdict.

I was reminded of his views in 2013 when a group of Qatari investors led by Amanda Staveley took over the Park House development at the west end of Oxford Street. Ironically, given more recent events, the scheme was built across the road from the M&S flagship store, and when unveiled was trumpeted as the ‘largest office development in Mayfair for a decade’.

Leaving aside for a moment the question as to whether Oxford Street can ever really feel like part of Mayfair (perhaps tellingly Landsec had happily sold the scheme out to Staveley and her partners), the Park House development made halting progress. The street level retail units let with ease, but two years after completion only around 15% of the 165,000 sq ft office component had been let.

At that time, I asked an agent why this was and was told to go to the new building’s entrance and then turn around. I did this and found myself facing a large Primark store. When I later reported back to the agent, she laughed and said: “It’s not quite the brand association you want when emerging from your pricey West End office, is it?”.
At pretty much the same time as Park House continued its search for tenants, Facebook signed up for a prelet of all 242,000 sq ft of offices at Great Portfland Estates’ Rathbone Square development at the east end of Oxford Street.

That scheme created the first new London square for a century but its configuration showed no desire to connect with Oxford Street. Greeting the news of the Facebook letting, West End office experts nodded and commented: “Well, it’s close to Oxford Street but it’s not on it is it?”.

As is so often the case with a property’s location, a miss is as good as a mile and prevailing attitudes play a part. We specialise in evaluating every UK location in terms of hard economic and demographic data, but also acknowledge that – especially in multi-layered cities like London – perceptions will always influence occupier attitudes.
Oxford Street is clearly a great retail environment that is in transition. After the trauma of many store closures and the arrival of multiple ‘American candy stores’, the street is now looking ahead to better times with IKEA opening in the old TopShop on Oxford Circus and HMV coming back to re-occupy its flgaship store next to Bond Street station. Meanwhile, Westminster City Council has just unveiled plans to revamp the street by reducing traffic and increasing space for pedestrians.

And, of course, just west of Oxford Circus, John Lewis is also progressing a major redevelopment of its store to create more than 300,000 sq ft of offices. Presumably, along with their partners – Hines and Korea’s National Pension Services – JLP won’t be too sad if M&S’s project is delayed or ultimately out of the picture.

But if both do eventually go-ahead, they have the ability to help tilt Oxford Street away from its predominant shopping mono-culture. In the meantime, M&S has taken up legal cudgels to challenge Gove’s rebuff, and the jury remains out regarding Oxford Street’s attraction as an office location.

Who knows: one day, M&S may feel more sanguine about this setback and the thinking time it provides…

This article first appeared in the Autumn issue of Property Chronicle

A number of asset managers have recently demonstrated interest in expanding their media activities to reach the charity ecosystem. To better serve their needs, JPES Partners carried out a survey of editors and senior journalists at charity trade titles to understand the topics that are currently capturing the attention of financial decision makers in the sector.

Compared to the pensions market, charities’ investment portfolios make up a small segment of the UK institutional investment landscape. September 2023 statistics from the Charity Commission for England and Wales put the current total of long-term investments by charities at £178 billion.

In contrast, the Thinking Ahead Institute’s 2023 Global Pension Assets Study calculated the pension assets for the UK in 2022 at USD $2.5 trillion (roughly £2.1 trillion). Comparatively, the Association of British Insurers cites £1.8 trillion as the size of the UK insurance investment market.

According to Newton Investment Management’s 2022 Charity Investment Survey, of the 91 charities spoken to, 66% had assets of under £20m, 27% were between £21m and £100m, 4% were between £101m and £500m, and only 3% were over £501m.

The UK charities media landscape is also limited in scope itself, with only six charities-focused media titles also covering issues around charities’ investment portfolios.

Several key themes emerged from our survey. The most prominent issue raised by editors and senior journalists at charities trade titles was the relationship between ESG and charities’ investment portfolios.

The journalists we surveyed particularly emphasised that the environmental and social aspects of charities’ investments are crucial to address moving forward. That said, on social factors, Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) also emerged as a rising matter of prominence within the charities’ investment space.

Respondents concurred that not only was the asset management industry insufficiently tackling issues around ESG and DEI, but communication with the charities sector on these topics was lacking. Those surveyed also reported that investment solutions tended to be insufficiently tailored to the charities sector, and the quantity and nuance of communication on ESG-related issues was falling short.

One interviewee took this further, stating, “The ESG system is not really fit for purpose at the moment.” He suggested that in order to tailor ESG-related solutions to the charities sector, asset managers may have to innovate beyond the traditional categories of ‘environmental’ and ‘social’ concerns and look at other areas which bridge the two areas, or fall outside of them, such as ethical investing.

From the interviews conducted, it was clear trustees and executives at charities were unhappy with the quality of ESG and DEI-related communication from the investment industry. Even when these concerns were tackled, they were not always being tailored to the specific needs and nuances of the charities sector.

These are just a few of the considerations that emerged from our survey. To read the full report on themes of interest to UK charities, please get in touch with JPES Partners.

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Bank of England being forced to intervene to stabilise the gilts market, after former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s unfunded tax cuts rocked the UK’s financial markets, causing gilt yields to soar and prices to fall.

Notably, it also brought down the Premiership of Liz Truss, mere weeks after being ‘appointed’ to the role, and fuelled a negative (or laughable – depending on your view) image of the U.K. abroad. No one will forget that a lettuce outlasted a Prime Minister.

Adding to the concern was that it was a crisis in what was supposed to be a relatively stable area of the investment market, UK government debt, and it shocked everyone. For the first time, in my memory at least, terms like ‘Defined Benefit pension funds’ and ‘Liability Driven Investing (LDI)’ were the lead story in the nationals and on Channel 4 news every night.

As those weeks unfolded, they had huge consequences – and many are still feeling the impact. From those renegotiating their mortgages at the worst possible time, through to many closed DB schemes being that much closer to buyout than ever before, limiting appetite even further for riskier (equities) or more illiquid (infrastructure) assets.

And yet, whilst it wasn’t widely talked about publicly, the issue wasn’t entirely out of the blue either. I recall having conversations months before the crisis, where several people cited concerns over big movements in bond yields, what that meant for pension schemes, in some case concerns even with regards to over-leveraged LDI, and the fact that the consequences of all this were not being fully discussed in the market.

It turns out that these topics, particularly the issue of rates and collateral buffers, were already coming up in conversations with many pension schemes over the Summer, and whilst they couldn’t have foreseen the sheer scale of the problem that eventually unfolded, perhaps it wasn’t entirely a ‘black swan’ event.

It was notable at the time that relatively few organisations were willing to discuss – publicly – what was happening and the reasons for it, save for those on the periphery of the crisis.

There is, of course, a delicate balance to strike in the midst of such an event, to avoid simply stoking the embers. It was only a few months ago that the Chairman of the Saudi National Bank, Ammar Al Khudairy, ruled out providing further funding for embattled Swiss bank, Credit Suisse, during a live TV interview. The shares went into freefall, prompting the takeover by UBS just four days later. Within weeks, Al Khudairy had also resigned.

If there are broader lessons we can learn, perhaps one of them is the imperative of remaining close to those at the coal face of a business, to better understand the key concerns impacting on the company, and importantly on clients. A good communications strategy can’t halt a crisis – but sometimes it can provide an opportunity to pre-empt an issue and consider what can and can’t be said.

In a statement last month, the Secretary for State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced an extension of the Permitted Development Rights planning measure. This was originally brought in a decade ago and saw millions of square feet of vacant offices converted into homes. Under this new policy, getting planning permission to turn vacant shops, takeaway restaurants, betting shops et al into homes would be similarly straightforward.

However, one of the potential fault lines in this strategy is the configuration of the properties in question.

Previously, the majority of old offices that were turned into homes were tower blocks of varying sizes. As such, they were relatively straightforward to convert into flats, and the multiplicity of units they created enabled the developments to be viable.

When looking at converting shops to residential, it’s hard to benefit from the same dynamics. Their lay-out is often not very amenable to conversion and the pattern of multi-ownership across town centres means that doing developments of any scale could involve painstaking site acquisitions.

Encouragingly however, many conversions/redevelopments are already taking place. A cursory look at the flow of High Street assets which pass through UK property auctions shows that those which are snapped up most quickly often have scope for whole or partial residential conversion.

Of course, the reason that these properties are in demand is because of their economic viability and prime locations: two key factors that attracts considerable attention from would-be investors. And this touches on the other major fault line in Gove’s plan. A huge number of the empty properties he has in mind are in areas of economic deprivation where the cost-return equation would simply not make conversion viable.

So, whilst a more congenial planning system would be welcome to get the conversion ball rolling it would have to be – in many UK locations – supplemented by some kind of financial support to create viability. Perhaps a partial or whole VAT exemption on necessary conversion works?

At a time like this when the Government is as strapped for cash as most of the population, it may be hard to expect the Treasury to forego any tax revenues. But if there is real intent to address the problems of our urban areas then there needs to be fiscal encouragement which can be more than repaid through increased economic vitality and enhanced environments.

Helen Thomas’s column in the Financial Times on the need to kill the City of London’s paper fetish piqued my interest. It’s interesting to note that a paper legacy still influences content marketing, as well.

The formatting of digital documents often still follows the ‘old school’ format of print layouts in today’s digital era – a quirk which has a disproportionately negative effect on businesses trying to get their message across.

In the realm of corporate communications, it’s still far too common to encounter lengthy double-column PDFs that do not align with the landscape orientation of most monitors.

This format forces readers to scroll through each page multiple times – down, up, and down again in an irritating visual gyration that might as well earn it Peter Crouch’s famous Chumbawamba moniker (if you know, you know). This unfriendly formatting renders content nearly unreadable on mobile devices, making it awkward to skim through during commutes, coffee breaks and other prime target times for casual reading.

To be fair, sometimes PDFs are simply digital versions of documents which have been produced for print. However, even in that case some thought should perhaps be given to the accessibility of the digital counterpart, because that is the version in which they will eventually survive.

Otherwise, many recipients will either print out the content to access it more easily or simply delete it: sub-optimal outcomes for both the authors and the environment.

In an era driven by sustainability, where every email signature encourages readers to refrain from printing out unnecessary content – the “Think before you ink” of the business world – it’s disheartening to see corporate graphic designers indulge in this pulp kink (pun intended) in the formatting of marketing materials.

For these reasons, we usually advise clients to keep texts concise and punchy, or to embrace more practical layouts for effective and accessible reproduction on websites and other digital channels. Formats that look to the past will not endear you to an audience which progressively comprises more and more digital natives.

As London celebrates the long-awaited reopening of the National Portrait Gallery, perhaps businesses should consider donating their vertically orientated marketing materials to the museum’s collection!

As high-profile businesses either abandon the UK market, bet on dual listings to access US investors who value growth, or seek private investment to avoid the regulatory costs and pressure that comes with being a listed entity, the question has come, better late than never, about what can be done to reverse the tide of a lack of investment in UK companies.

At the same time, DB pension schemes are continuing to reduce their exposure to growth assets such as equities, as they edge closer to potential buyout, resulting in total DB pension fund exposure to UK equities plummeting to 10% from 50% in 2008.

Politicians and commentators on all sides of the political spectrum are vying to present their best ideas on how to rectify the situation and attract investment into the UK, including mandating pension funds to commit a minimum investment into UK equities; removing the ISA tax break on non-UK investments; taxing passive investment vehicles and proposing various growth funds into which pension funds may or may not be instructed to allocate investment.

These suggestions have received mixed reactions. On the buy-side there is scepticism about forcing investors to commit their savings to UK growth. On the sell-side relief that politicians have finally noticed the lack of investment into the UK.

As the debate continues, and it is presumed it will continue as the current government remains distracted by the many issues consuming its tenure and as Labour positions itself to be the next business-friendly government, the issue remains: how to increase investment and risk appetite in order to increase not only investment in the UK, but also investment returns for savers, which have underperformed.

Research by JPES Partners shows that investors, including DB schemes, wealth managers and wholesale platforms, are underwhelmed by their asset managers, with a headline 36% decline in confidence in their managers and with only 25% of respondents satisfied with the delivery of investment results versus objectives.

Investment objectives and returns are a personal choice but it would be fair to assume that the majority of investors are hoping to preserve, and increase, their capital whilst minimising volatility, albeit accepting that it forms part of an investment timeline. Another key consideration is of course cost, which has led to the rise of trackers and passive investing.

It is perhaps this trend towards passive investing, combined with increasing regulation and cost, that has had the greatest impact on returns and investing. As Simon French, Economist at Panmure Gordon wrote in The Times, “These investments…contribute next to nothing to the key social function of financial markets…” Many passive vehicles route capital and investment away from the smallest and fastest-growing companies in favour of the biggest. They also encourage a lack of diversification. Take the FTSE 100 as a case in point where investors’ exposure will be dominated by banks and natural resources, or the US Nasdaq where investors will end up long technology. In the end, it drives more money to certain corners of the market; it doesn’t support growth of new or growing businesses, only of those that have, in effect, already made it.

The desire to re-route capital to nascent or growing parts of the economy and to create a liquid market to encourage growth is surely a good thing for all market participants – to encourage economic growth and all the benefits that brings with it – and to precipitate a growth in investments for savers. No-one is suggesting allocating all pension pots to growth or dismissing the role of trackers – but the current downward trend is bad for the UK economy, UK plc and UK savers.

How and why did you decide to go into communications?

I became interested in communications while working for a luxury hotel in India, where I met the hotel’s PR and was intrigued by her job. So, I got my degree in PR & Comms and have been in love with the profession ever since. It has been about 12 years now.

I have worked in aviation, construction, technology and, most recently, in pensions and investment communications, and I was astonished by the power of this industry to make positive changes.

How have you found hybrid working over the last few months?

With hybrid working, I found my perfect fit. I cannot imagine now that there was a time when we were commuting to work five days a week.

Hybrid working allows me to mingle with colleagues and meet journalists and clients. I enjoy the flexibility of coming to work, having face-to-face time with my colleagues, travelling for meetings and working from home when it’s too cold.

What areas or trends interests you the most at this time?

Before joining the pensions and investment sector, I didn’t realise how influential this sector was. Our money, which we put away as a form of savings every month for retirement, is surprisingly very powerful and can shape a more sustainable future for everyone.

Ethical pension investments can be very effective in creating sustainable solutions for the future. Not only can our pension money be invested in companies that play a crucial role in tackling global crises such as climate change and inequality, but funding from pensions can also exert a powerful influence over the direction companies take, such as transitioning to becoming more ESG and sustainability-friendly.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have a decent collection of Legos and my latest completed set is ‘Ship in a bottle.’ Next in line is Lego’s International Space Station. I also enjoy going for a walk and exploring London from a tourist’s point of view. I am always surprised by something that I haven’t noticed before.

During summers, cricket takes over my life. Either I am watching it, talking about it or playing for my local cricket club.

Tell us about the last book you read or the last podcast you listened to?

The last book I read was “The island of missing trees” by Elif Shafak. Elif Shafak writes with an understanding of the power and importance of the written word. She uses her gift to broaden minds and start much-needed conversations about how we treat the least privileged among us. She combines fiction with non-fiction to present beautiful stories.

The island of missing trees is set against the 1974 Greek and Turkish conflict in Cyprus, spanning multiple timelines. It follows the story of a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot, their eventual move to London, and the impact of their past and history on their daughter Ada, all narrated by a ‘fig tree.’

Name one goal, professional or personal, you have set yourself for the next 12 months
I would like to focus on reading more this year. I have a list of books I want to get to by December 2023.

I also want to improve my calligraphy skills as it helps me avoid screens and give time to good old paper and pen.

Citywire editor Chris Sloley’s article on fund selector’s dislike for factsheets rekindled some memories from a meeting I had with an executive at an asset management firm that occurred just before the pandemic.

“No one cares about factsheets!” the executive cried during a meeting on content generation. “They are dull, and no one really reads them!” he continued, citing poor traffic data on dedicated webpages as the evidence behind his claim.

While his frustration was understandable then, as it clearly still is, as is evident from Chris’s piece, we explained to him that we are of a different opinion at JPES.

As specialist communications professionals in the asset management industry, we are well-aware of portfolio managers’ time constraints, and appreciate they may not be able to provide original insights or share their latest views on the news agenda too frequently and in a timely fashion.

Therefore, when needs must, every available piece of information on a specific strategy assumes a greater relevance for an investment firm’s communication plan, sometimes even the seemingly most insignificant ones.

While insightful thought leadership articles or in-depth reports can be practical and versatile tools for media engagement purposes, they often take a very long time to see the light. That’s why factsheets must not be overlooked within the broader communications toolkit.

The content is a balanced compromise between conflicting forces: investors’ requirements for disclosure and assessment on one hand; and portfolio managers’ simultaneous desire for promotion and secrecy around their skills on the other – they must say the most, while actually telling the least.

The resulting documents from these conflicting needs can therefore be treasure troves of data points and graphs.

While charts and tables may appear rather static and of limited use at a cursory sight, they are often an unsung and effective cog within an investment firm’s communication machine.

Geographies, industry exposures, product characteristics and many other data points. These pieces of information acquire new meaning and expand beyond their margins when plotted against the background of current affairs. Analysing consecutive editions can also be plugged one into the other, thus revealing bigger pictures, like the dot-to-dot puzzles that most of us completed as kids.

In this way, communications professionals are able to overcome potential content barriers, by devising compelling and relevant narratives that not only gain journalists’ interest, thanks to their relevance within the broader news agenda; but also zero in on themes that are most pertinent to the spokespeople.

Like the fund selectors in the story, we also receive many factsheets; but it is our job to sieve through each and every one in search of that golden nugget of information to push to the right audience.

When it comes to factsheets, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!