Asset Management Breakfast Seminar – January 2026

Key summary

We covered three key areas shaping the current and future operating environment for asset managers:

• Economic and geopolitical outlook: The evolving US-China relationship and its implications for global trade, capital flows and portfolio positioning. While geopolitical fragmentation is increasing, trade is being rerouted rather than collapsing, with implications for inflation, market volatility and long‑term risk premia across asset classes.
• Crypto in asset management: The growing role of crypto assets within asset management, considering both the opportunities and the governance, risk and regulatory considerations firms need to address as digital assets become more embedded in investment strategies.
• UK Corporate Governance Code – Provision 29: With Provision 29 now effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026, we outlined what boards should be focusing on next. This included defining and evidencing material controls, obtaining proportionate assurance, preparing clear and transparent disclosures, and driving efficiency by leveraging existing frameworks such as ICFR and ECCTA rather than duplicating effort.