In this episode of CFA UK’s In Conversation podcast, Francesca Wheble chats to Yiota Michou, CFA, Investment Manager, Climate Asset Management. Yiota describes her journey into sustainability and impact investing, and what core strategies she’s been employing to invest in natural capital. Discover the standout projects Yiota’s been involved with, explore the key risks affecting natural capital investment, and find out Yiota’s top tips for embarking on a sustainable investing career path!

In the latest episode of CFA UK's Climate Change Podcast, John Teahan, CFA speaks to Maria Carvalho, Head of Climate Economics and Data, NatWest. Maria outlines the critical role of investment in supporting sustainable agriculture and alleviating the challenges faced by farmers from accelerating climate change. They explore the tension between portfolio decarbonisation and real-world decarbonisation, emphasising how financial institutions can support farmers transitioning to more sustainable practices. From the evolving regulatory framework to the impact of climate change on farming, get the lay of the land on what the future of agriculture could mean for you.

In this episode of CFA UK's Future Proofing Finance podcast, Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall meet Jonathan Bier, Chief Investment Officer, Farsight Investors. A prominent figure in the world of crypto investing, Jonathan shares his journey from traditional finance to launching a crypto equity fund, discussing the challenges and opportunities emerging from the FCA’s retail ban lift. Explore insights on Bitcoin cycles, the difference between regulatory approaches in the UK and US and take a deep dive into the intersection of traditional finance and the dynamic world of crypto - start listening now!

In this episode of CFA UK's In Conversation podcast, Jim Totty, CFA, speaks with Jack Chellman, Chief Project Officer at the Global Returns Project, about the role of philanthropy in sustainable finance. Jack and Jim discuss how financial institutions can integrate philanthropic donations into client offerings and investment products, enhance ESG strategies, and deliver fast, measurable impact. With less than 2% of global philanthropic capital going to climate mitigation, Jack argues for normalising environmental giving across the financial ecosystem. The CFA UK Sustainability Community is buzzing with daily discussions, virtual meet-ups, and in-person gatherings, offering numerous opportunities for you to get involved. Our Community is a virtual and in-person hub for investment professionals to grow together as sustainable investing experts. This is the go-to place for sustainable investing knowledge, resources and contacts. You can post questions on our forum, connect with other members online and join an informal catch up in the pub. For more information on the Sustainability Community and how to join, click here: shorturl.at/drsHV

In this episode, Olivia Wingrove, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager at LGT Wealth Management, and IMC holder, sits down with Pia Farooq, a fellow IMC holder, to discuss their journeys into the investment industry. Pia and Olivia explore the importance of the IMC qualification, its role as a precursor to the CFA, and how it helps build a strong foundation for a career in finance. Pia also shares her insights into balancing work, study, and personal life, and valuable tips for those considering the IMC or CFA. Discover more about the IMC today: https://tinyurl.com/pff9d5ff

How does crypto fit into institutional portfolios? In this episode, Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA, sit down with Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise Asset Management, to explore the institutionalisation of digital assets. Matt, Ben, and Tom explore how crypto began as from a frontier technology to something gaining institutional adoption, alongside the implications of recent regulatory shifts in the US. Matt also looks at the separation between Bitcoin and programmable blockchains like Ethereum, and the emergence of decentralised finance (DeFi), before outlining a framework for crypto asset allocation within diversified portfolios, and discusses the macroeconomic backdrop shaping digital asset adoption. Disclaimer: The views in this podcast are personal opinions and do not represent CFA UK. This content does not constitute financial advice.

In this sponsored episode of In Conversation, Chris Ware, CFA, sits down with Edoardo Gili, CFA, Senior Analyst at Green Street, to explore the evolving landscape of real estate investment. From the shifting dynamics of REITs to the integration of infrastructure and real assets, this conversation offers deep insights for investment professionals navigating today’s market. Examining real estate’s evolution into a more operationally intensive asset class and the active management requirements that come with it, Chris and Edoardo explore the distinctions between public REITs and private real estate markets. Together, they look at their long-term performance convergence and the importance of risk-adjusted returns. Edoardo and Chris also discuss the global valuation trends regarding real estate, the performance of REITs in the US compared with Europe and the UK, M&A activity in REITs, and how rising development costs coupled with stricter lending criteria are reshaping the development landscape. An extended discussion between Edoardo and Chris on real estate sectors is also available on CFA UK’s Professional Learning platform: https://www.cfauk.org/careers-and-cpd/resources/real-estate-sectors-data-development-and-investor-appeal DISCLAIMER: This podcast does NOT constitute investment advice nor is it provided in the capacity of a fiduciary. Visit www.greenstreet.com/disclosure for important information. About Green Street Green Street is the leading provider of actionable real assets research, news, data, analytics, and advisory services in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. For 40 years, Green Street has delivered unparalleled intelligence and trusted data on the public and private real estate markets, helping investors, banks, lenders, and other industry participants optimise investment and strategic decisions. The firm delivers exclusive market information, conclusion-driven insights, and predictive analytics through a SaaS platform. To learn more, please visit www.greenstreet.com. More about Green Street: https://greenstreet.com/?utm_source=cfauk&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=brandawareness&utm_term=green-street&utm_content=cfa-website

In this episode, JC Valer, Lecturer at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Visiting Academic at the University of Oxford, speaks to Debbie Clarke, Non-Executive Director at BlackRock Group Limited, discussthe ethical challenges that come with conflicts of interest and operating with integrity. Examining case studies around transparency, ethical guardrails, and the fine line separating acceptable hospitality from potential conflicts of interest, Debbie emphasises the need for an ethical lens in decision-making and maintaining integrity throughout your career. This podcast is part of a series of ethics discussions, the rest of which are available on CFA UK’s Professional Learning platform: https://www.cfauk.org/careers-and-cpd/resources/ethics-and-professionalism

In this episode, Kelsey Su, CFA, Sales Operations Manager, Dahua UK & Ireland, talks to Dr Mandy Lehto, executive coach, and host of ‘Enough, the Podcast,’ to talk about workplace overwhelm. Mandy draws from her own high-pressure background and coaching career to share her insight in recognising the signs of overwhelm, the physical and mental toll of sustained stress – and how to begin reclaiming balance. During the episode, Mandy recommends listeners to read “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World” by Anne-Lorraine Le Cunf: https://shorturl.at/U91nF

In this episode, John Teahan, Portfolio Manager at Redwheel, interviews Karina Litvak, Non-Executive Director at Terna S.p.A, and prominent figure in climate governance and sustainability. Karina and John discuss her journey from finance to board roles, and the challenges of implementing climate action amid complex corporate governance. In particular, John and Karina look at the impact of COP21 in shaping corporate climate commitments. Karina and John discuss the dynamics of stakeholder engagement from a board member perspective. The conversation also explores the importance of understanding both production and demand in the energy sector, the role of the Climate Governance Initiative, and the need for resilience in energy grids as the world transitions to a more sustainable future.

In this episode, Arantxa Sardina, Corporate Sponsorship & Stakeholder Manager at GAIN UK, speaks with Hitesh Dattani, Director of Grey Matter Jobs, about the growing importance of age diversity in today’s workforce. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in asset management, Hitesh shares what inspired him to launch a recruitment platform dedicated to championing age-inclusive hiring. Together, Arantxa and Hitesh explore how connecting experienced job seekers with forward-thinking employers can foster more dynamic and inclusive workplaces. They also delve into the entrepreneurial journey—highlighting the resilience, strategic planning, and mindset required to build a purpose-driven business from the ground up.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman joins Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA, to shed light on the unparalleled volatility and policy upheavals reshaping today’s economic landscape. With the United States leading the charge towards increased protectionism, Paul highlights the staggering rise in US tariffs, which have surged from an average of 3% to around 15%. Paul, Ben, and Tom also discuss their perspectives on cryptocurrency and stablecoins, evaluating its legitimacy and utility in the current financial system, and examining what might come after the dollar in today’s unprecedented world. An extended version of this conversation is available for our members. To watch Paul, Ben, and Tom discuss the immediate impact of tariffs and protectionist policies (including deportation orders) on the US economy and dollar, China’s economic challenges and how they compare to Japan in the 1990s, and whether Paul sees any positives to the tariffs, members can watch the extended conversation here: https://www.cfauk.org/careers-and-cpd/resources/nobel-laureate-economist-paul-krugman-on-navigating-uncertainty-in-the-global-economy

In this episode, James Dolman, CFA, Director of Alium Dolman Limited, interviews Saffron Hill, CFA, Management Consulting Associate at AlixPartners. Saffron discusses her career journey in the investment industry, from taking the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) as part of her employee training, to using the skills, knowledge, and disciplines she gained to move into the next stage of her career. Not one to stop there, Saffron has since gained her CFA, and closes off the episode with some foundational advice to anyone on a similar path.

In this episode, John Teahan interviews Dorothée D'Herde, Director of Responsible Business at Kingfisher plc. Dorothée and John discuss the circular economy, and how Kingfisher as a DIY retailer utilises it in reducing their carbon emissions. Dorothée also shares insights on Scope 3 emissions, and the importance of engaging suppliers in decarbonisation efforts. John and Dorothée also touch on customer demand for sustainable products, innovations in the home improvement sector, and the regulatory challenges faced by companies in reporting their sustainability efforts.

How do you solve a trillion-dollar investment gap in your sector? In this episode, David Manuel speaks to Chris Kuchanny, Founder and CEO of Impactable Investment Group, to discuss the changing landscape of impact investing in emerging markets. Looking at his own journey from traditional finance to founding Impactable, Chris and David examine how financial returns can be balanced with social and environmental impact – especially where sustainable development goals (SDGs) are concerned.

In this episode, Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA, chat with James Harris, Chief Commercial Officer of Zodia Custody. James shares his journey through various traditional finance institutions, including Citi Group and Standard Chartered Bank and his eventual pivot into crypto. Compared to other areas of investment, crypto is still a maturing sector, but its rise to fame has been pretty dramatic. James explores how the world of crypto and digital assets has adapted and matured over the last few years. Using his wealth of experience James breaks down what digital asset custody is, and why it’s pivotal to the future of digital assets.

In this episode, Aranzazu Sardina and Emma Kangis, an executive/leadership and career coach, discuss the importance of career coaching and developing soft skills for investment professionals. Emphasising the need to balance technical capability with soft skills and self-awareness in the workplace, Emma and Aranzazu look at practical ways that young professionals can build leadership qualities, highlighting the strength that comes from adaptability and trust in leadership.

In this episode, Ulrich Amoussou, CFA, Investment Associate at Reventus Power, has a wide-ranging chat with Patric Okumi, Liquidnet/TP ICAP Group Group. Patric shares his journey from Ghana to becoming a senior executive in finance, along with the challenges and triumphs he experienced along the way. Patric highlights perseverance, authenticity, and continuous learning as the keys to doing well, with a particular focus on networking, and his takeaways from the Investment Management Certificate. Patric also discusses the value of entrepreneurship in understanding the finance industry, with a focus on his own venture ADINKRA, which aims to celebrate African culture through fashion. For more information on the IMC, please visit cfauk.org/imc

In this episode, Aranzazu Sardina catches up with Victoria McLean, CEO of City CV and Hanover Talent Solutions, to discuss the significance of setting boundaries in the workplace, and how it impacts professional development and mental health. Victoria emphasises the importance of recognising personal limits, the types of boundaries that exist, and practical tips for establishing and maintaining these boundaries. She and Aranzazu also explore how overcoming the fear of saying no can help people to be content in their professional journeys.

In this episode of the Future Proofing Finance podcast, Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA, catch up with Richard Cookson, formerly of Citi Private Bank, HSBC, and Rubicon Fund Management. Richard shares his extensive experience in finance, and together they embark on a world tour of global currencies, inflation trends, and economic challenges. Richard emphasises the endurance of the dollar, the complexities of inflation, and the potential pitfalls of the euro and renminbi. He also draws parallels between Japan's economic history and China's current situation, while offering valuable advice for young finance professionals navigating today's market.