Investment is all about getting the right blend of diversification in a portfolio to target desired outcomes – and conferences about investment need to do the same.

Our annual investment conference, recently held at the Peninsula London and expertly chaired by Andrew Peach, provided a chance to dive into timely topics such as inflation, tariffs, taxation, and the evolving role of private markets. Discussions also focused on different asset allocation strategies for pensions, insurance and not-for-profit portfolios, reflecting the diverse range of topics occupying investors’ agendas at this time.

The convening power of Aon is always a source of great pride for me. Over a dynamic few days, we brought together institutional investors, asset managers and industry leaders from the UK and beyond and it was a pleasure to share insights and debate with so many professionals from across the industry.

I opened the conference by highlighting four major megatrends—Weather, Workforce, Trade and Technology – which are not only redefining the challenges investors face but also influencing how they respond.

In an environment marked by rapid change, forging and strengthening our connections and partnerships across the industry is vital.

As for previous years, we held many interactive sessions focused on specific asset classes and investment strategies, as well as an inspiring keynote by my colleague Jaysen Arumugum, whose story of scaling Everest provided a unique perspective on resilience and leadership.

We also held a series of one-to-one meetings, to foster new relationships and strengthen existing ones. And, it was great to welcome speakers from beyond the world of investment to hear fresh perspectives on real-world challenges.

The first day concluded with a thought-provoking session led by AI expert Shivvy Jervis, who reminded attendees that while artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, human ingenuity remains our most powerful tool. And, on day two, with support from Andrew Myhill, Director of Public Affairs at Aon, delegates heard from LSE’s Dr Tim Leunig about the impact of planning, politics and pigeons on UK productivity... and plenty more besides.

Aon’s Investment leaders from both sides of the Atlantic shared their perspectives on current challenges and opportunities. I was inspired by the high level of engagement demonstrated by my colleagues as they embraced their leadership responsibilities, not only in investment strategy design and execution, but culturally in the way we organise our firm and our teams to support our clients – and the broader investment community– to achieve good outcomes.

I particularly enjoyed my fireside chat with Bryan Ward, Head of Investments for North America, who brought fascinating perspectives on the market and political dynamics shaping the US investment environment. I’m looking forward to sharing my perspectives on UK and European dynamics with Bryan at our upcoming Miami conference in December.

As the sun set over this year’s conference, I was pleased to announce the dates for 2026. Aon’s Investment Insights Series will return to the Peninsula London on 4-5 November 2026 – I can’t wait, and I hope to see you there!