FTSE Russell Convenes

Hosted by FTSE Russell (an LSEG business)

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Jun 2026

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About the show

FTSE Russell Convenes gives you insider access to the ideas shaping the future of investing. Join leading voices from finance and academia as they unpack the forces transforming markets, regulation, and investor behaviour—brought to you by a global index leader at the heart of the investment ecosystem.

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38 recent

June 15, 202622 min

AI, energy innovation and the UK stock market

In the first episode of our Scholar & Investor series, we bring together academic insight and investment expertise to examine one of the most important intersections shaping markets today. Professor Constantine Yannelis, Professor Cambridge University and Thomas Moore, Senior Investment Director at Aberdeen Asset Management explore how artificial intelligence, energy innovation and structural shifts in the UK economy are influencing global markets. Drawing on both research-led perspectives and real-world investment experience, they discuss the opportunities—and constraints—facing investors. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction(00:04:12) - Energy, innovation and AI(00:10:33) - Unpacking energy prices(00:12:30) - Capital markets and the energy transition(00:15:50) - Investing in the UK: AI and energy(00:18:40) - The Oxford–Cambridge corridor: Fostering innovation

January 28, 202610 min

Geopolitical risk in 2026: A wake-up call for businesses

Has geopolitical denialism run its course? Welcome back to the FTSE Russell Convenes ‘geopolitical’ series. Tina Fordham, Founder of Fordham Global Foresight, returns to explore how the current constellation of risks interact with markets. Tina reflects on 2025 and reveals the key signposts shaping the 2026 risk map—from U.S mid-terms to Hungary's upcoming elections. She also explains how geopolitical risk will impact businesses and shares the word she believes best captures the year ahead. Chapters (00:00:00) - Looking back at 2025(00:03:00) - Shifting geopolitical risks in 2026(00:06:10) - Structural change: How companies are navigating risk(00:08:03) - Has geopolitical denialism run its course?

November 5, 202518 min

The mega trends and innovations affecting real estate investing

“Real estate touches all the big evolutions we see in society”. Listen as David Sol, Global Head of Policy, FTSE Russell, and Dominique Moerenhout, CEO of the European Real Estate Association (EPRA) discuss how mega trends such as specialisation, scale, consolidation, sustainability and innovation affect the real estate market.

October 30, 20257 min

Managing risk exposure to private equity through public equity

In this episode, Indrani De, FTSE Russell and Ed Tom, Cboe, present new research they have co-authored that explores how options on public equity can be used to manage private equity risk. Their findings reveal surprising similarities between private and public markets once smoothing techniques are applied—and how options strategies can be a good hedge of private equity risk exposures, using both tactical and systematic hedges.

October 22, 202511 min

Pacer ETFs: Focus on advisors

Listen as Joe Thomson, Founder and CEO of Pacer ETFs, discusses Pacer’s origins in fund distribution. Our discussion covers the launch of Pacer’s ETF business in 2015 and their focus on developing deep relationships with financial advisors. Guest: Joe Thompson, Founder and CEO, Pacer Financial Host: Steve Kriechman, Director, Index Investments Group, FTSE Russell Chapters (00:00:00) - Pacer's evolution(00:04:06) - Their cash cows(00:05:44) - The products of the future(00:07:23) - Diversifying your portfolio(00:08:44) - Planning ahead

October 15, 2025Episode 710 min

Diversifying into international fixed income

Marina Mets (FTSE Russell) and BlackRock's Joyce Choi talk about the recent market volatility and how the recent market dynamics in the US along with the falling US dollar make international fixed income more attractive to invest in. Joyce discusses the best way to dip your toes into international bonds and which iShares ETF invests that way.  Guest: Joyce Choi, Head of Institutional Product Strategy, Fixed Income, ETFs, BlackRock Host: Marina Mets, Head of Americas, Fixed Income & Convertibles, FTSE Russell Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction(00:00:50) - How fixed income markets fit into the big picture(00:03:11) - Looking beyond US borders(00:04:55) - International fixed income and its different segments(00:06:22) - Considerations for investors(00:08:43) - International markets: A diversifier or complimentary?

October 8, 20255 min

Decentralising proxy voting power and investor democracy

In this episode, Stephanie Maier, FTSE Russell and Laura Starks, University of Texas, discuss investor democracy and the evolving landscape of proxy voting where shareholder voting becomes more open and inclusive, enabling broader participation and representation. Laura explains the impact of decentralised voting and investor choice programs, revealing key findings from her latest research on how these shifts influence decisions on ESG and climate proposals, and corporate governance. Guest: Laura Starks, George Kozmetsky Centennial Distinguished University Chair and Professor of Finance at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin Host: Stephanie Maier, Head of Sustainability, FTSE Russell Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction(00:01:04) - Proxy voting: Key findings(00:03:04) - Shareholder resolutions: How voting behaviour changed

October 1, 202511 min

Access granted: Unlocking private markets with StepStone Group

Meet StepStone Group, a private markets solutions provider with $723 billion in total capital responsibility (as of June 30, 2025). In June 2025, FTSE Russell announced a partnership with StepStone to leverage their extensive private markets database in the creation of new indices—designed to help investors better understand these strategies and potentially broaden access to the asset class. We sat down with Tom Keck, StepStone’s Co-founder and Partner, to explore the hidden value these next-generation private markets benchmarks are poised to unlock.

September 24, 20258 min

ETF trends in the wake of market volatility

Dana Moody (FTSE Russell) and Vanguard's Carole Okigbo discuss recent Vanguard milestones and review some current ETF industry trends, including the resilience of the ETF structure in the face of more recent market volatility. Lastly, they look at portfolio construction considerations and some common ETF misconceptions.

September 17, 202514 min

Portfolio construction – practical considerations for investors

Portfolio construction is a key tool for investors. By applying a framework and a systematic approach, investors may understand their exposures better. Listen to learn more about both practical and theoretical ideas about building robust and resilience strategies. Host: David Sol, Global Head of Policy and Governance FTSE Russell Guests: Dr. Joseph Simonian, Head of Equity Portfolio Design and Analytics, CalPERS and Sebastian Lancetti, Head of Index Research & Design, Americas, FTSE Russell Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction(00:01:00) - Portfolio construction: Is it an art or a science?(00:02:39) - Examples of portfolio construction techniques(00:05:05) - What academics are writing about today(00:07:40) - Approaching portfolio construction(00:12:20) - Practical vs theoretical approaches(00:14:13) - Concentration