On Thursday, 16 May, Deloitte Luxembourg and Elvinger Hoss Prussen, with the support of Financial Times Live, hosted their annual Cross-Border Distribution Conference at the European Convention Center in Luxembourg. This 12th iteration highlighted how changes in investor activity, regulatory oversight, and emerging technologies are presenting unique challenges, but also opportunities, in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

Key concerns centered as the fund industry moves forward

The full-day, flagship event tackled some of the fund industry’s most pressing challenges and hot-topics, including: the far-reaching ramifications of geopolitical unrest; the intricate interplay between technologies and investment strategies; and the imperative of broadening access to private markets. Additional interviews and panel discussions, from digital wealth distribution and asset management fees to fixed-income investments and the role alternative investment funds, addressed a wide array of topics to consider in both local and global markets. Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance in Luxembourg, opened the floor with a keynote address.

Jérôme Wigny, Partner at Elvinger Hoss Prussen, reflects on the 12th edition of the conference. “Today showed once more why the Cross-Border Distribution Conference has become a flagship event for the asset management industry in Luxembourg and beyond.” He added: “It was the ideal setting to exchange with more than 700 industry leaders around the evolving landscape of cross-border distribution and the multitude of opportunities it presents. Together with a line-up of international speakers, we were able to explore strategies for navigating the future of funds and we gained perspectives on the current investment climate while understanding global disruptions at play.”

Diverse expertise critical for sustainable industry solutions

Featured experts from outside of the financial services industry brought unique perspectives and immeasurable value to the discussion. Monica Verma, a top-rated ethical hacker hief information security officer (CISO), and cybersecurity pioneer, took center stage to address the evolution of AI and cybercrime, guiding the audience through emerging trends and AI's transformational role in safeguarding the industry. Similarly, insights from General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, former Head of the British Army, shed a welcomed light on the current complexities of our world.

Justin Griffiths, Partner at Deloitte Luxembourg, emphasized the essential role of cooperation and innovation as we navigate the shifting terrain of cross-border distribution: "To ensure a resilient future, we need collaboration not only among regulators, asset managers, and experts, but also with pioneering technologies and emerging distribution strategies. This year's inclusion of diverse voices and extraordinary insights not only expanded our understanding of the multiple challenges of a disrupted world and its potential impact on the industry, but also suggested innovative ways to respond”.

For further insights from the conference, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interviews on various fund-related topics, please visit: https://www.cross-border.lu/

Cross-Border Distribution Conference 2024

Welcome & Opening remarks:

• Justin Griffiths, Partner, Deloitte Luxembourg
• Jérôme Wigny, Partner, Elvinger Hoss Prussen
• Yuri Bender, Editor-in-Chief, Professional Wealth Management (PWM), Financial Times

Speaker line-up and moderators in order of appearance:

• Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance, Luxembourg Government
• Yves Choueifaty, President and CIO, TOBAM
• Dr Jian (Helen) Liang, Head of China Market, Banque Internationale à Luxembourg
• Rachel Gangji, Head of Global Markets Advisory, Eurasia Group
• Natznet Tesfey, Head of Insights & Analysis, Global Intelligence & Analytics, S&P Global Market Intelligence
• Gaëtan Delculée, Global Head of ETF, Indexing & Smart Beta Sales / Deputy Global Head of Digital Distribution and ETF Sales, Amundi
• Furio Pietribiasi, CEO, Mediolanum International Funds
• Michael Biemann, Senior Vice President and Fixed Income Strategist, PIMCO
• Sascha Specketer, Head of DACH and CEE Distribution, Invesco
• Sabrina Jacobs, Senior Client Portfolio Manager, Pictet Asset Management
• Ross Pamphilon, Head of Fixed Income, Impax Asset Management
• Liz Lumley, Deputy Editor, The Banker
• Monica Verma, Hacker, Top #3 CISO EMEA, Founder, Monica Talks Cyber
• Veronica Buffoni, Managing Director, Carne
• Emmanuel Doumas, Senior Policy Officer, Investment & Reporting Division, ESMA
• Jérôme Mousny, Advisor, CSSF
• Andreas Stepnitzka, Deputy Director, Regulatory Policy, EFAMA
• General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, Former Head of the British Army
• Didier Duret, Chairman, Omega Wealth Management
• Matthew Shafer, International Head of Distribution, Europe & Asia, PGIM Investments
• Neil Slater, CEO, Redevco