Speakers and topics

More to be announced soon

Decoding Innovation: A CROCI Approach to Valuing the Future

Innovation is reshaping industries—but traditional accounting metrics often fail to capture its true value. This session explores how the CROCI framework normalises financial metrics to provide a clearer view of corporate performance and valuation. We demonstrate how the CROCI Innovation Leaders strategy systematically identifies companies combining innovative strength with attractive economic valuations, aiming to deliver consistent alpha while avoiding the pitfalls of overpaying for growth.

Head of CROCI Investment Strategies and Head of House of Data (DWS Research)
DWS

Dirk leads the CROCI investment strategies team: CROCI, short for Cash Return On Capital Invested, is a proprietary DWS platform for analysing and valuing companies holistically and for building systematic active equity investment strategies based on this fundamental data. He is also responsible for quantitative cross-asset research topics, including the Long-Term Capital Market Assumptions (LTCMAs) forming the basis of the DWS Long View. Dirk has been with DWS since 2012; prior to joining the company, Dirk was a College Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Oxford. Dirk holds a DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy) in Mathematics from University of Oxford (Merton College) and Math (Distinction) and BA (First Class) in Mathematics from University of Cambridge (Trinity College)

Wholesale Coverage
DWS

E: andrea.kilby@dws.com

T: 07796 481700

Emerging Markets May Finally Be Living Up to Their Potential – Rising importance in Portfolios

Emerging markets are experiencing a fundamental transformation driven by powerful AI and reform tailwinds, particularly across North Asian markets. The traditional growth narratives are giving way to technology-focused paradigms, with Taiwan and South Korea emerging as key beneficiaries of this shift. Companies in these markets are strategically positioned to capitalize on surging global AI chip demand and advanced manufacturing capabilities, creating compelling investment opportunities that were previously overlooked.

Beyond the technology revolution, regulatory reforms are reshaping the emerging markets landscape, promising enhanced market access, improved governance standards, and reduced operational barriers. This dual catalyst of technological advancement and structural reform presents a unique moment for investors to reconsider the role of emerging markets in their portfolios. The convergence of these factors suggests that emerging markets may finally be ready to deliver on their long-promised potential, offering both growth and quality improvements simultaneously.

Join Alexis for this comprehensive exploration of how to capture these transformational opportunities within emerging markets portfolios.

Executive Director, Client Portfolio Manager
Nomura Asset Management

Alexis is a Client Portfolio Manager for Nomura Asset Management International’s Emerging Markets Equity, Global Equity, and Science and Technology teams. He is responsible for representing each team and its philosophy and process to clients. He joined Nomura Asset Management as part of Nomura’s acquisition of Macquarie Asset Management’s US and European public investments business in 2025. Previously, he held the same role at Macquarie Asset Management. Prior to Macquarie, Alexis was a Senior Equity Specialist with AllianceBernstein in charge of covering its thematic and emerging markets strategies. From 2013 to 2021, he was a Client Portfolio Manager at UBS Asset Management with responsibility for its emerging markets strategies. Alexis earned a Bachelor of Science in finance from Temple University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst? designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.

VP, Distribution, UK & Ireland
Nomura Asset Management

T: +44 7827 897436

E: Joanne.Rea@nomura.com

ED, Head of Intermediary Distribution, UK & Ireland
Nomura Asset Management

T: +44 7841 664 805

E: ben.sackitey@nomura-asset.eu

Emerging Markets: The map is not the terrain

Current market conditions create a misleading sense of safety in developed markets. Elevated valuations and heavy concentration in US mega-cap technology stocks mask underlying risks, and history suggests that starting from today’s valuation levels has typically led to only low single-digit returns over the following decade.

In contrast, emerging markets are trading at significant discounts—nearly 60% cheaper than the US—with currencies that also appear undervalued. While the challenges in these markets are more visible, the starting valuations offer a more attractive risk-reward profile. Historically, similar entry points have delivered forward returns ranging from low single digits to more than 15% per annum.

When weighing the risks, avoiding emerging markets may in fact pose the greater long-term danger. Broader global exposure improves diversification and can reduce portfolio volatility. In addition, lower analyst coverage and market inefficiencies create opportunities for active managers to identify overlooked compounders and generate alpha. Join Stefan Sommerville, as he explains how Orbis has been uncovering opportunities in Emerging Markets for decades and where those opportunities are currently.

Senior Investment Specialist
Orbis

Stefan Sommerville, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics (University of Nottingham), Chartered Financial Analyst. Stefan joined Orbis in 2017 and is a senior investment specialist within the Client Team. His responsibilities include leading the investment communications on the Japan Equity and Emerging Market Equity Strategies, and servicing clients and consultants in South Africa, the UK and Continental Europe.

Head of Strategic Partnerships and UK Wholesale
Orbis

E: fiona.chil@orbis.com

T: 07833 238 690

Business Development Associate
Orbis

E: pippa.cater@orbis.com

T: 0207 042 2189

Sponsors