Inside Out, Outside In: Rethinking investment systems | Thinking Ahead Institute x CAIA Association

Thursday 10 September 2026 | 17:30 – 20.30 PM GMT | In-person event, WTW London office

The Thinking Ahead Institute and CAIA Association partnered together for a live discussion on ‘Inside out, outside in: the state of the investment industry’.

We explored how prevailing investment models and practices were shaped for a more stable, linear, and mechanical world, why the industry needs new system lenses, and what it means to expand the mandate in practice.

Also drawing on our fresh Thinking Ahead Global Asset Manager Peer Study 2026, the session unpacked key insights on organisational effectiveness, systems thinking and systemic risk, evolving capabilities, and brung together asset owners and managers to discuss how and whether the industry can adapt as long-term outcomes become increasingly shaped by the health and resilience of the broader system.

Event playlist

Explore the topics we covered:

Agenda

  • 17:30 Registration & refreshments
  • 18:00 Welcome remarks – Marisa Hall, Head of Thinking Ahead Institute
  • 18:05 Presentation of “The State of the Industry” survey (10 min) – Roger Urwin , Thinking Ahead Institute
  • 18:15 Presentation of “An expanding mandate” report findings (15min) – Andrea Caloisi, Thinking Ahead Institute
  • 18:30 Panel discussion (45 minutes) – Jayne Bok, Head of Investments – Asia at WTW; Luba Nikulina, Chief Strategy Officer at IFM Investors and Simon Ellis, Chair at LifeSight Ltd, Roger Urwin, Co-founder of Thinking Ahead Institute – moderated by John Bowman, Chief Executive at CAIA Association.
  • 19:15 Q&A
  • 19:25 Closing remarks – Marisa, Head of Thinking Ahead Institute
  • 19:30 Networking, drinks & canapés

Speakers

Roger Urwin

Co-founder,
Thinking Ahead Institute

John Bowman

Chief Executive, CAIA Association

Luba Nikulina

Chief Strategy Officer, IFM Investors

Simon Ellis

NED/Chair, Lifesight

Andrea Caloisi

Director – Research, Thinking Ahead Institute

Jayne Bok

Head of Investments – Asia, WTW