Programme

Pre-Conference (By Invitation Only)

Registration

7:45am

Power Breakfast

8:00am

End of Power Breakfast

8:45am

IMAS Conference

Welcome Speech by IMAS Chairman

9:00am

Jenny Sofian, Chairman, IMAS and Chief Executive Officer, Fullerton Fund Management

Opening Address by Guest of Honour

9:10am

Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Fireside Chat on Geo-Politics

9:20am

Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Moderator: Avril Hong, Bloomberg

Break & Networking

10:00am

The Next Frontier - AI as a Catalyst for Change

10:30am

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a niche technology—it’s a transformative force reshaping global markets, industries, and societies. From healthcare and finance to education and infrastructure, AI is unlocking unprecedented opportunities for growth, efficiency, and innovation. Yet, with this promise comes profound questions about governance, ethics, and the future of work.

This panel brings together visionary leaders, technologists, and policymakers to explore how AI can drive sustainable progress while balancing risk and responsibility. Join us as we examine the breakthroughs redefining business models, the role of data in shaping competitive advantage, and the frameworks needed to ensure inclusive and ethical adoption.

Brian Lui, CEO & Co-Founder, Wisma AI

Xie Chao, Head of Data Science, Managing Director, GIC

Luke Soon, AI Leader, digital solutions, PwC Singapore

Singapore’s Equity Renaissance – Buyside’s Role in Sustaining Momentum

11:10am

Singapore’s equity market is on the rise. The Straits Times Index (STI) has comfortably surged past its 2007 highs, and small- to mid-cap counters are also seeing renewed interest with improved liquidity and valuations. Large IPOs—including REITs and corporates— are making a comeback, propelling Singapore into the ranks of the top 10 IPO markets globally. 

Hear more from industry leaders who have been driving the MAS Equity Market Review Group (EMRG) measures to transform the market, including: 

  • S$5 Billion EQDP funding to broaden buyside participation in Singapore
  • Tax incentives to attract new market participants
  • Research grants to deepen market knowledge
  • Initiatives driving shareholder value focus

Whether you're already active in Singapore or looking to expand your footprint, this is your opportunity to engage, learn, and contribute to the market’s next chapter. 

Gillian Tan, Assistant Managing Director - Development & International, Monetary Authority of Singapore

Ng Yao Loong, Head of Equities, Singapore Exchange

Pauline Ng, Head of ASEAN, Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific (EMAP) Equities, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Closing Remarks

11:45am

Mandy Chew, Chairperson, IMAS Conference Organizing Committee and Executive Director, Head of Marketing and Communications, South East Asia, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Lunch & Networking

12:00pm

IMAS Masterclass

Masterclasses

2:00pm - 3:30pm - Masterclasses

Masterclass 1: The Macroeconomic & Equity Market Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Asia

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force with far‑reaching implications for economies and financial markets, particularly across Asia.

As the infrastructure buildout and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) gain momentum, questions arise as to the macroeconomic and equity market implications of this General Purpose Technology. How could growth and labor markets, inflation, interest rates, inequality and government balance sheets be affected, especially in Asia? Which countries stand to benefit, and why? Equity markets globally have already responded, favoring companies that provide or operate the underlying AI infrastructure, pushing valuations of some stocks to potentially “bubbly” levels. Will markets eventually transition towards rewarding AI adopters, and if so, what sectors might outperform?

This masterclass is designed to equip senior investment professionals and board members with a comprehensive understanding of potential macroeconomic effects of the adoption of AI, as well as of the public equity market impact at the overall index and industry levels. The discussion material will be grounded in the latest academic literature, as well as market research by brokers, funds and others.

Key Themes of the Masterclass:

  • Understanding the forces that are likely to shape macroeconomic outcomes of the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Asia
  • Translating AI into investment outcomes in Asia
  • Introduction to the state of Generative AI and headwinds
  • Review of the empirical evidence of hypothesized economic impacts
  • Analysis of trading patterns observed in equity markets regarding the AI-theme

Session Objective:

To provide learners with an understanding of the potential macroeconomic and equity market implications of Artificial Intelligence from a regional Asian perspective.

Trainers:

  • Felix Momsen, Managing Director (Public Equities), GIC
  • Ray E Farris, Chief Economist, Eastspring Investments
  • John Tsai, Head of Growth Equities, Eastspring Investments
  • Sundeep Bihani, Portfolio Manager, Regional Asia Value Equities, Eastspring Investments
  • Christina Woon, Head of Equity Income, Eastspring Investments

Masterclass 2: ETF - Tools for Modern Asset Management

The global ETF market has surged past USD 18 trillion, reshaping how investors access markets, manage portfolios, and express investment views. In this Masterclass, industry experts will unpack what’s driving this phenomenal growth, explore the evolving dynamics between active and passive investing, and examine how Factors and Thematic strategies are redefining indices.

Whether you represent a sovereign wealth fund, pension fund, insurer, private bank, or asset manager, this session will equip you with the knowledge to navigate today’s sophisticated ETF landscape with confidence.

Key Themes of the Masterclass:

  • ETF Market Growth & Investor Adoption: What’s driving the $18 trillion ETF market and why investors are embracing ETFs.
  • Flows & Trends: Which asset classes, regions, countries, sectors, and factors, are attracting the most inflows / outflows.
  • Evolution of Index Investing: From “plain vanilla” benchmarks to Factors and Thematic indices; blurring lines between active and passive.
  • Investor Use Cases: How various investors (sovereign and pension funds, insurers, private banks, family offices, asset managers) utilise ETFs for Core and Tactical allocations, Interim Beta, and Liquidity management.
  • ETF Selection beyond Size and Fees: What are the key factors to consider when selecting an ETF — index design, domicile and tax implications, replication strategy, tracking quality, trading cost.
  • Performance & Alpha: Can ETFs outperform their benchmarks? Understand the drivers of alpha, tracking difference vs. tracking error, and premium/discount dynamics.
  • Physical vs Synthetic ETFs: When does synthetic ETF makes sense? What are the counterparty risks, how they are mitigated, and regulatory safeguards for investors.
  • Liquidity & Execution: How can investors trade large sizes beyond the trading volume on exchange?

Trainers:

  • Ogar Widjaja, Head of Xtrackers Sales, South-East Asia
  • Jonathan Shyong, Vice President, Xtrackers Coverage Specialist

Masterclass 3: Retirement Reimagined: Multi-Asset Strategies for a Longer Life

As Asia’s investor base matures and longevity reshapes financial planning, retirement investing is no longer a niche; it’s a critical pillar of wealth management. This masterclass explores how multi-asset solutions can address the dual challenges of accumulation and decumulation, delivering resilient outcomes for individuals and institutions.

Key Themes of the Masterclass:

  • Why retirement changes everything: Why rising life expectancy and behavioral biases demand innovative approaches beyond traditionally available investment products.
  • Make the right choice when planning for retirement: How can investors navigate the Paradox of Choice and why is financial advice essential.
  • Exploring multi-asset frameworks for optimal outcomes: Considerations in structuring solutions to meet evolving investor needs.

Trainers:

  • Andy Budden, Head of Solutions, Europe & Asia, Capital Group
  • Zijian Yang, Solutions Investment Director, Capital Group

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Masterclass 4: Unlocking Value & Broadening Participation in Singapore Equities (Part 1)

The IMAS EQDP Masterclass is a practitioner focused programme designed to provide participants with practical insights into value creation for Singapore listed companies and the development of a broader, more resilient market. Given the diverse audience profile comprising buyside, sellside, issuers and other market participants, the session adopts a case study led and discussion based format. 

Participants will learn through real world case studies presented by selected listed companies, highlighting what has worked in practice, challenges encountered, and key lessons learnt in unlocking value and engaging investors. These case studies are delivered through fireside chats and moderated discussions, encouraging candid dialogue and crossstakeholder perspectives. 

The masterclass brings together perspectives from consultants, exchange representatives, issuers, and investment professionals to examine collective actions required to strengthen participation and longterm interest in Singapore equities. 

Key themes of the Masterclass:  

  • Practical case studies on unlocking value in Singaporelisted companies, including sharing of what has worked and learning experiences of listcos
  • Broadening participation and strengthening engagement in Singapore equities including cross-border dual listings 
  • Discussion with market players on building a more attractive Singapore equity market: perspectives from buy-side and sell-side firms on what works, and what else they are looking out for from listcos 

Trainers:

  • Robert St. Clair, Head of Investment Strategy, Fullerton Fund Management  
  • Geoff Howie, Market Strategist, SGX Group 
  • Bob McCooey, Vice Chairman, APAC, NASDAQ
  • Andrew Tan, Director, PwC 

Masterclasses

3:45pm - 5:15pm - Masterclasses

Masterclass 5: AI in Global Markets: Opportunities & Portfolio Implications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative general-purpose technology with significant implications for the global economy and financial markets. As investment in AI infrastructure accelerates and adoption broadens across industries, investors are increasingly examining how AI could reshape productivity, labour markets and corporate profitability, while also influencing equity market dynamics.

This masterclass will explore observed shifts in capital expenditure, labour market developments and policy responses linked to AI adoption. It will also review trading patterns in global equity markets, differentiating between “AI Infrastructure” providers and “AI Adopters”, and examining phases of momentum such as “AI Summers” and “AI Winters”.

From a practitioner’s perspective, the session will discuss what AI means for investment decision-making globally and how investment professionals are incorporating AI tools and insights into their investment processes.

Key Themes of the Masterclass:

  • Understanding the observed shifts in capital expenditure growth, labor market dynamics, and policy stances
  • Review of observed trading patterns in global equity markets, differentiating between “AI Infrastructure” and “AI Adopters”, periods of momentum changes and “AI Summers” vs. “AI Winters”.
  • Understand what AI mean for practical investments from a global perspective
  • The use of AI from an investment practitioner’s standpoint

Trainers:

  • Felix Momsen, Managing Director (Public Equities), GIC
  • Petr Kocourek, Multi-Asset Portfolio Manager, Schroders Investments

Masterclass 6: Gold as a Strategic Capital: Risk, Preservation, and Power in a Multipolar World

In an era of rising geopolitical risk, currency debasement, and structural uncertainty, gold continues to play a critical — yet often misunderstood — role in institutional and family office portfolios. This masterclass examines gold through a due-diligence lens, separating myth from mechanism. 

Rather than focusing on price speculation, the session explores gold as strategic capital: its behavior across regimes, its function in portfolio construction, and its relevance in a multipolar financial system. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for evaluating gold allocations, understanding its limitations, and asking better questions when assessing gold-related strategies and products. 

Key themes of the Masterclass:

  • Gold as risk management, not return maximization 
  • Gold’s role across monetary regimes and geopolitical shifts 
  • Portfolio function: insurance, ballast, and optionality 
  • Physical vs paper gold: counterparty and jurisdictional risk 
  • What due diligence should focus on — and what it shouldn’t 

Trainers:

  • Kwok Keng Han, Chief Marketing Officer, Lion Global Investors 
  • Darius Foo, Head of Distribution Business, Lion Global Investors 
  • Nicholas Tay, Senior Director, Lion Global Investors 

Masterclass 7: Deep Dive into Performance Attribution to Optimise Investment Decision-Making

The investment community across Asia-Pacific are navigating an increasingly complex investment environment, where achieving transparency, aligning stakeholders, and measuring true value creation have become strategic imperatives.  

Participants will gain insights into contemporary Performance and Attribution Measurement practices, including methodologies for identifying sources of return and value add from various investment decisions across multi-asset and multi-currency portfolios. Drawing on real-world experience working with eight Australian superannuation funds, together representing around 50% of total industry AUM, over engagements spanning since 2012, Ortec Finance will share how it supports asset owners and asset managers in establishing comprehensive attribution frameworks to enable better decision-making and stakeholder reporting. 

This session aims to equip asset manager, asset owners, CIOs, performance teams, and risk professionals with practical frameworks and proven approaches to elevate performance measurement and attribution capabilities in a rapidly evolving investment landscape. 

Key themes of the Masterclass:  

  • Use of various attributions models to establish a consistent attribution framework 
  • Decision Analysis covering:
    • Quantify value-add from various investment decisions made from a top-down perspective 
    • Differentiate where the asset sits vs Who owns the real decision-making power
    • Quantify value-add from ESG decisions  
  • Currency hedging - incorporate analysis for hedging at the asset level/manager level and total fund level 

Trainers:

  • Michelle Li, CFA, CIPM, Head of Australia Investment Performance Solution, Ortec Finance
  • Anh Tran, Consultant Investment Performance Solution, Ortec Finance p>

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Masterclass 4: Unlocking Value & Broadening Participation in Singapore Equities (Part 2)

Synopsis as per Masterclass 4

End of Masterclass

5:00pm

IMAS Investment Conference & Masterclass 2026

EVENT STARTING IN:
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Contact Us
IMAS Secretariat
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Tel: +65 6223 9353
Fax: +65 6223 9352
Email: conference@imas.org.sg