Critical thinking

Hosted by Mercer, a Marsh business

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Episodes

143

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

Join our thought leaders and special guests, as they explore and debate the themes, trends and opportunities shaping markets, and how these may translate for investors. This content is for institutional investors and information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial position. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of publication, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions.

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60 recent

August 25, 202617 min

Secondaries on the main stage: Opportunity, alignment and the future of private markets

Liquidity has always been a consideration in private markets — but the way investors manage it is changing. In this episode of Critical thinking, Teena Jilka is joined by Mike Forestner and Benjamin Baumann to explore the rise of GP-led secondaries and continuation vehicles. They discuss what is driving the structural growth of the secondaries market, how continuation vehicles work and why alignment and governance matter, what disciplined underwriting looks like in practice, and how investors could think about secondaries as a portfolio construction tool. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

August 7, 202621 min

Accountability at the table: The role of the investment committee

In this episode of Critical thinking, Eimear Walsh, European Head of Investments, is joined by Michel Meert, European Consulting Leader for Endowments, Foundations and Family Offices, and Michael Curtin, Senior Investment Consultant at Mercer, to explore why the investment committee is often the point where governance becomes real and where investment culture can be most visible. The conversation unpacks the investment committee’s role in turning purpose, strategy and risk appetite into decisions and what helps them work well, from clear delegation and strong chairing to good preparation and documentation. It also explores often common pitfalls – slow decisions, unclear accountability, groupthink – and discusses ways asset owners can aim to overcome these to strengthen committee effectiveness over time. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

July 29, 202615 min

What’s driving institutional interest in professional sports?

In this episode Mercer's US Alternatives Investment Leader Matt Vokes is joined by Neil Blundell, CIO at CAIS Advisors, and Catherine Abely, Private Equity Research Specialist at Mercer, for a discussion on the structural characteristics that distinguish professional sports as an asset class — including franchise scarcity, contracted revenue streams, media rights deals, and the evolving liquidity landscape. Together, they also address what investors should consider before allocating, including long holding periods, limited leverage constraints, and the importance of alignment when entering an asset class still in the early stages of institutional participation. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Read our full Important notices. Sources: 00:07:51:18 - 00:08:15:19: Total % of Sports programming of the top 100 shows in 2025. Sports Business Journal, “Sports make up 96 of top 100 telecasts in 2025, tying an all-time record,” 2025. 00:08:56:22 - 00:09:19:01: ESPN, NBA agrees to terms on $76B media rights deals, Jul 10, 2024.

July 28, 202629 min

How wealth managers are rewriting the alternatives playbook amid macro shifts and retailization

In this episode of Critical Thinking , Teena Jilka is joined by David Scopelliti and Karl Heckenberg, President and Managing Partner at Constellation Wealth Capital, to explore how wealth managers are evolving their alternatives playbooks in response to macro shifts, changing client expectations, and the continued retailization of private markets. The conversation looks at how some firms are adapting their offerings, where scaling pressures are emerging, and what the growth of private markets could mean for the future of wealth management. Capital at Risk. This content was recorded in July 2026. The views expressed are those of the speaker(s). They are current as of the date of recording and subject to change without notice. Podcast guests may be from firms that Mercer evaluates or rates. Podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Mercer. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Mercer and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. For Mercer’s conflict of interest disclosures, see Conflicts of Interest . None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment. This is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This does not constitute a recommendation or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. This does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The discussion is not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial position. No investment decision should be made based on this information. Certain information may constitute forward-looking statements though there is no guarantee that these results will be achieved. Past performance of any asset class or security is not a reliable indicator of future results. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors considering alternatives should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Mercer makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of statements or information contained herein and takes no responsibility or liability (including for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages) for any error, omission or inaccuracy. This material should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. A transcript may be provided for your convenience. Mercer is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved. Important notices Podcast guests may be from firms that Mercer evaluates or rates. In addition, podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Mercer. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Mercer and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment.

July 20, 202624 min

Trends and Opportunities in (Re)insurance

In this episode of Critical Thinking , David Morrow, Global Insurance Proposition Leader at Mercer, is joined by Laurent Rousseau, CEO for EMEA and Global Capital Solutions at Guy Carpenter, and Eryn Bacewich, Head of Insurance Solutions within Mercer’s insurance investment practice, to discuss the evolving role of alternative capital in the reinsurance market. Together, they consider the development of risk transfer, from the emergence of Bermuda as a reinsurance hub after Hurricane Andrew, to the growth of catastrophe bonds, sidecars and collateralised reinsurance. The conversation also highlights why investors are seeking exposure to insurance risk, how higher interest rates have renewed focus on insurance float, and what the convergence of financial and reinsurance capital could mean for insurers, reinsurers and institutional investors. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

July 13, 202611 min

Navigating the new private markets landscape

Private markets today are being shaped by megatrends such as artificial intelligence, decentralization, and rising concentration across public markets. As traditional diversification comes under pressure, investors are increasingly rethinking liquidity, risk, and opportunity in a more complex environment. In this episode of Critical Thinking, Niall O’Sullivan, Global Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Mike Forestner, Global Chief Investment Officer for Private Markets, and Dina Richard, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Investment Officer at Trinity Health. Together, they explore the evolving role of private markets, from managing portfolios built under different assumptions to reassessing the relationship between public and private equity in an era of AI-driven investment cycles. The discussion highlights how investors are navigating shorter-term pressures alongside long-term conviction, and how potential IPO activity could unlock significant value while remaining concentrated in a small number of dominant players. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

June 30, 202639 min

[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Mark Heemskerk

In the fifth episode of Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf (Cardano) and Marc Heemskerk (Mercer) talk to pensions lawyer and professor, Mark Heemskerk, about an important and topical theme: pensions in court - particularly in relation to the new Dutch pensions system. Together they explore different scenarios and discuss: how realistic lawsuits are related to conversion, who could be held responsible (the pension fund, directors or other parties), and which issues could become decisive. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

June 23, 202619 min

What opportunities and risks are shaping securitized credit markets today?

Global securitized credit has come a long way since the 2008 financial crisis. In this episode of Critical Thinking , Deborah Wardle speaks with Jean de Kock and Thimal Kollure about how the market has evolved, why it is attracting renewed investor interest, and what it may need to build an effective allocation today. This podcast contains statements on historical performance which may not be repeated in the future. Please note that returns on investments are not guaranteed. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

June 15, 202620 min

1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions: Geopolitics, AI, and the search for portfolio resilience

Recorded live at Mercer’s Global Investment Forum in Orlando, in this special edition of the One theme, Two CIOs, Three questions podcast Anne Marie Schultz, US Investments Commercial Leader is joined by US CIO Andrew McDougall and Global Alternatives CIO Garvan McCarthy on the key issues shaping investor decisions today. From geopolitical and energy risk to AI-driven growth, private markets liquidity, and portfolio resilience, they discuss what institutional investors may be underestimating — and how to think about positioning for the second half of the year. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here

June 10, 202637 min

[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Jeroen Steenvoorden

In the fourth episode of Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf (Cardano) and Marc Heemskerk (Mercer) speak with Jeroen Steenvoorden, the Dutch national pension ombudsman, about what he is seeing in practice and what challenges participants face. Together they discuss common topics and patterns in complaints and the balance between the letter and the intent of pension schemes. They also look ahead to what the new pension system may mean for the pension ombudsman and for the practice of pension funds. What may board members learn from this? This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here