The complexities of legacy planning, integrating sustainability into wealth strategies, and working closely with expert advisers to pre-empt imminent major global risks were amongst the themes explored by expert panellists at Jersey Finance’s recent flagship Private Wealth Conference.
Entitled ‘Strategies for a World in Transition’ the event, which took place this week (Tuesday 26 September) in London and was attended by almost 500 delegates from across Jersey, the UK, Europe and further afield, included a keynote speech from renowned journalist and broadcaster Robert Peston. He outlined some of the mounting risks faced by global markets, including the rise of AI, conflict with China, and climate change.
In two panel sessions, UK-based experts then discussed the implications for private wealth professionals of widespread global instability and the relationship between legacy and sustainability.
Speaking in a session entitled ‘Political Risk in a Changing World’, panellists discussed how greater complexity when it comes to political, regulatory and legislative change is prompting investors to work more closely with specialist advisers to ensure they are on the front foot and able to prepare for the unknown. Stressing that seizing opportunities also comes with an element of risk, speakers highlighted the responsibility of governments to nurture stable environments.
Meanwhile, in a second session entitled ‘Balancing Legacy and Sustainability’, panellists explored the opportunity for private investors to step up to fill a projected funding gap to help meet global net zero targets. Highlighting that legacy for private clients is increasingly about the transfer of values as well as just wealth, speakers pointed to the importance of quality data, transparency and good governance when it comes to sustainable investing.
Concluding the event, Steve Hewitt, Founder of advisory and investment firm Whanau and former CEO of Gymshark, echoed the panellists’ discussions, stressing the value of organisations integrating purpose into their operations and of the impact of strong, authentic leadership.
Reflecting on the event, Joe Moynihan, Chief Executive Officer, Jersey Finance, said:
“There’s no doubt that the world now faces a number of immediate and longer-term challenges – from asset volatility, political change and war in Europe, to the impact of climate change, the rise of AI and the potential for further international instability and conflict. Private investors are alive to these risks – but to be successful in realising their aims in both addressing and navigating them, there is a real need for certain, stable environments offered by IFCs like Jersey, as well as expert advice, innovative solutions, and strong leadership.
“Our speakers at this year’s flagship conference in London brought to life just how fundamental the risks we are facing are, and underlined the role we can have as a jurisdiction and as a network of advisers in supporting the growing need for high-quality, long-term solutions. My thanks go to our speakers and panellists, our sponsors, our media partners, our guests, and our team at Jersey Finance, who all contributed to making the event such a success.”
The ‘Political Risk in a Changing World’ panel consisted of journalist Bruce Whitfield who moderated, as well as Camilla Wallace (Partner, Wedlake Bell), Jay Krause (Partner, Withers), Mahnaz Malik (Barrister, Twenty Essex) and Tom Le Feuvre (Director of External Relations, Government of Jersey).
Speakers on the ‘Balancing Legacy and Sustainability’ panel were moderator Matthew Millard-Beer (CEO, Itriom), Dhana Sabanathan (Partner, Michelmores), JC Oliver (Head of Innovation, Valley Ventures), Louisiana Salge (Head of Sustainability, EQ Investors) and Ravi Francis (Partner, Gately).
