CFA UK

Hosted by CFA UK

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Episodes

139

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

CFA UK takes careers to the next level and beyond. Through connecting, educating and inspiring we develop the professional lives of our members. We help you to develop your skills, achieve your goals and make your desired level of impact in the industry and in the world. (The views of our guests do not necessarily represent the views of CFA UK)

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60 recent

August 20, 202635 min

Episode 20: Beyond Bitcoin: Stablecoins, vaults and the next generation of finance

In this episode of the CFA UK Future Proofing Finance Podcast, hosts Ben Ashby, ASIP and Tom Threlfall, CFA are joined by Jonathan Man, CFA, Head of Alpha Strategies, Bitwise, to explore how decentralised finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and crypto infrastructure are reshaping the future of asset management and financial markets. Jonathan explains his transition into crypto, unpacks the innovations that have emerged from DeFi, and discusses why technologies such as vaults, stablecoins, and programmable finance could transform investment management. In this episode: How stablecoins are driving the next wave of digital finance Why vaults could become the "ETF 2.0" for asset management The changing landscape for crypto venture capital Tokenisation and the convergence of traditional and digital assets Practical advice for finance professionals looking to understand crypto Listen to find out what the future of decentralised finance looks like, and how digital assets could redefine the next generation of financial services.

June 25, 202642 min

Episode 19: The future of nuclear energy: Innovation, infrastructure and the race to net-zero

In the latest episode of the CFA UK Future Proofing Finance Podcast, hosts Ben Ashby, ASIP and Tom Threlfall, CFA sit down with Dr. Valeria Raffuzzi, Research Associate, University of Cambridge, to explore the evolving role of nuclear energy in the global transition to net zero. Dr. Raffuzzi explains her transition from renewables to nuclear engineering, explaining along the way why Western infrastructure projects face high costs and delays due to regulatory hurdles, political issues, and supply chain complexities. The episode also explores: Drivers of the "nuclear renaissance" and global power demand Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for cost-effective scalability Technical and economic hurdles for fusion energy Nuclear cost and sustainability misconceptions Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of nuclear energy, the realities of decarbonisation, and the opportunities and risks ahead for investment professionals.

May 29, 202626 min

Episode 92: Using AI to balance innovation & environmental impact

In the latest episode of CFA UK’s In Conversation podcast, host Anita Brown speaks with David Carlin, founder of D.A. Carlin and Company, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable finance and the opportunities and risks it presents for the financial sector. David outlines the environmental costs of advanced AI, from data centre energy use to model training, and focuses on the importance of establishing ethical AI governance focused on transparency and accountability. They also discuss tracking emissions and evaluating net-zero strategies using AI, all while avoiding automated groupthink and prioritising human judgement when making complex decisions. Tune in for an insightful discussion on innovation, responsibility, and the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of finance.

May 7, 202646 min

Episode 18: John Reade on evolving gold markets

In this episode of the CFA UK Future Proofing Finance podcast, hosts Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA speak with John Reade, Senior Market Strategist at the World Gold Council. John shares his 40-year career journey from mining engineer to market strategist, and explains the evolving landscape of gold markets for investors. Explore: Gold’s value as a portfolio diversifier The impact of gold-backed ETFs on investor access Central bank reserve strategies and demand for gold Physical storage considerations and market dynamics Comparisons between gold and Bitcoin Tune in for an insightful conversation on gold markets, investment strategy, and the evolving role of gold in your investment portfolio.

April 9, 202630 min

Episode 91: Navigating ESG Reporting in Private Markets

In this episode of CFA UK’s In Conversation podcast, host Olly King sits down with Jegor Tokarevich, CEO of Substance Over Form (SOF), to explore the evolving landscape of sustainable finance regulatory reporting in private markets. Jegor shares insights into the growing complexity of ESG compliance across frameworks such as SFDR, the EU Taxonomy, and CSRD, and discusses how these regulations are reshaping expectations for both General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs). The episode also explores: Jegor’s perspective on the key ESG reporting challenges facing private equity and private debt managers The impact of fragmented data and lack of standardisation in private markets How SOF supports GPs, LPs, and portfolio companies with ESG data collection and validation The importance of early alignment between LPs and GPs on ESG Advice on staying agile amid rapidly evolving regulatory requirements Tune in for an insightful conversation on ESG regulation, data challenges, and how collaboration and technology are shaping the future of sustainable investing in private markets.

March 27, 202641 min

Episode 17: Building an AI Startup in Fintech

In this episode of the CFA UK Future Proofing Finance Podcast, hosts Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA sit down with Karen Rudich, Canadian fintech entrepreneur and founder of sherloc. Karen explores her journey from investment banking to building an AI-driven startup focused on helping small businesses manage financial volatility. You'll hear how she navigates fundraising and builds resilient, purpose-driven teams in a fast-moving fintech landscape. The episode also explores: Karen’s transition from banking into entrepreneurship The role of AI and predictive analytics in supporting SMEs The importance of value-aligned partnerships in scaling a business Lessons learned from fundraising and leadership challenges Practical advice for aspiring fintech founders Tune in for an insightful conversation on innovation, resilience, and the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of finance.

March 20, 202637 min

Episode 90: How to build successful startups: A look inside the venture studio model

In this episode of CFA UK’s In Conversation podcast, host Dr Nic Pillow sits down with Omid Pakseresht, CEO of Goodfolio, to explore how venture studios are changing the way startups are built. Omid discusses Goodfolio's practical AI integration for efficiency and scalable solutions in fintech and healthtech, including ethical considerations. Not only that, he argues why venture studios are a strong partner to traditional VC, reducing risk and accelerating market entry with a robust support system for entrepreneurs and investors. The episode also explores: How the venture studio model works in practice Identifying ideas, building founding teams, and supporting growth Embedding ethical and ESG principles into early-stage investment Supporting diverse and underrepresented founders Using artificial intelligence to drive innovation responsibly Tune in to discover how venture studios are changing the game for startup creation, focusing on ethical and impact-driven entrepreneurship.

December 4, 202539 min

Episode 16: Exploring financial history with Duncan Needham

In the latest episode of CFA UK’s Future Proofing Finance Podcast, Cambridge University’s Duncan Needham joins Ben Ashby and Tom Threlfall, CFA to see what financial history can tell us about our financial future. Discover the fascinating journey of financial markets, from the evolution of reserve currencies to the dynamics of global trade, as Duncan analyses the lessons shaping today’s economic landscape. If you’re a history buff, a financial expert, both or even neither – this captivating discussion will bridge the gap between past and present.

November 27, 202531 min

Episode 89: How tech is transforming climate investing

In the latest episode of CFA UK’s In Conversation podcast, Tanishq Jain speaks with Louis Millon, Principal at Systemic Capital, about how data and technology are transforming climate investing. Reflecting on his personal journey, Louis touches on the role data and AI can play in countering climate change, and how to use it to evaluate sustainable start-ups. They focus on the evolution of sustainable investing, the impact of regulations on climate data disclosure, and the need to plug data gaps. Hear where climate investing is going – listen now!

November 6, 202540 min

Episode 88: The future of RegTech and compliance

In our latest In Conversation podcast, Dr. Giovanni Bandi joins Prab Bajwa, CFA to discuss innovative solutions being developed through the Regulatory Genome Project at the University of Cambridge to complex global regulation. They explore the importance of RegTech in investment management, the role of AI in compliance, and the potential for greater regulatory convergence and standardisation. From the need for a digital rule book, to embedding compliance within technology, discover how we can refine and streamline financial services to capture greater value.