Thematics and the Private Client: The Why and the How of Selecting Multi-Year Thematic Investments

Andy is an Executive Director and Portfolio Manager in CSOP Quantitative Investment team, specialize in passive index portfolios including ETFs and leveraged and inverse products. He covers over USD 7 billion of AUM, including some of the trailblazing products such as Saudi Arabia ETF and Bitcoin/Ether futures ETF. Prior to joining CSOP in 2021, Andy was an ETF & Index portfolio manager in Hang Seng Investment Management Ltd where he held responsibility to manage ETF, local pension schemes and discretionary mandates. He graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a major in Economics. He is a CFA Charterholder.

At Hywin International, Ms Jessica Xu serves as Senior Investment Strategist, with expertise in three areas: conducting in-depth macroeconomic research and formulating investment insights; designing diversified global investment portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients across various asset classes, including equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, structured products, funds, and alternative assets; and presenting strategic asset allocation recommendations and tactical investment ideas to External Asset Management (EAM) relationship managers and their clients. With extensive experience in multi-asset investment advisory and portfolio management, Jessica caters to the sophisticated investment needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients throughout the APAC region. Prior to joining Hywin, she held senior roles at several prestigious private banks and wealth management firms. At Rothschild Wealth Management Hong Kong. Jessica was the primary investment professional responsible for the comprehensive investment requirements of Asian clients. She then served as Senior Investment Counselor at EFG Bank, focusing on ultra-high-net-worth clients in Greater China. Earlier, Jessica was Senior Portfolio Manager at BSI Bank, deftly managing clients' Discretionary Portfolio Management mandates. Jessica's expertise, experience, and client focus make her a trusted guide for UHNW clients throughout market cycles.

Alexis Lavergne is a fixed income Investment Specialist at Janus Henderson Investors, a position he has held since 2023. In this role, he is responsible for articulating Janus Henderson’s view on fixed income markets, the macroeconomic environment, and representing the firm’s suite of fixed income products. Prior to joining the firm, Alexis was a client portfolio manager for global macro fixed income and currency strategies at H2O Asset Management from 2018. Before that, he worked at BlackRock from 2016 to 2018 and at Natixis Investment Managers from 2014 to 2016. Earlier, Alexis was a strategy consultant to the asset management and private equity industry at INDEFI from 2013. Alexis earned a postgraduate diploma in accounting and finance from the London School of Economics and a master’s degree in management from EDHEC Business School. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and has 11 years of financial industry experience.

Paul Gambles is Co-founder of MBMG Group and Managing Director of MBMG Investment Advisory. He has completed CFA Level 1 and he is licensed by the SEC as both a Securities Fundamental Investment Analyst and an Investment Planner. He is a member of Advisory Board of IDEA Economics and is well-known as an expert commentator appearing most days on Money Channel’s 10 o'clock news, as well as making monthly appearances as a guest host on CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia, Squawk Box Europe and frequent appearances on National Public Radio, Bloomberg TV, Nation TV, CCTV and others. Paul has been a regular contributor of exclusive opinion editorials to The Nation since 2009 and also a regular contributor to professional magazines.

Paul’s MBMG Updates can be found at http://www.mbmg-investment.com/in-the-media/ and he can be contacted at [email protected]

At Hywin International, Ms Jessica Xu serves as Senior Investment Strategist, with expertise in three areas: conducting in-depth macroeconomic research and formulating investment insights; designing diversified global investment portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients across various asset classes, including equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, structured products, funds, and alternative assets; and presenting strategic asset allocation recommendations and tactical investment ideas to External Asset Management (EAM) relationship managers and their clients. With extensive experience in multi-asset investment advisory and portfolio management, Jessica caters to the sophisticated investment needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients throughout the APAC region. Prior to joining Hywin, she held senior roles at several prestigious private banks and wealth management firms. At Rothschild Wealth Management Hong Kong. Jessica was the primary investment professional responsible for the comprehensive investment requirements of Asian clients. She then served as Senior Investment Counselor at EFG Bank, focusing on ultra-high-net-worth clients in Greater China. Earlier, Jessica was Senior Portfolio Manager at BSI Bank, deftly managing clients' Discretionary Portfolio Management mandates. Jessica's expertise, experience, and client focus make her a trusted guide for UHNW clients throughout market cycles.

Alexis Lavergne is a fixed income Investment Specialist at Janus Henderson Investors, a position he has held since 2023. In this role, he is responsible for articulating Janus Henderson’s view on fixed income markets, the macroeconomic environment, and representing the firm’s suite of fixed income products. Prior to joining the firm, Alexis was a client portfolio manager for global macro fixed income and currency strategies at H2O Asset Management from 2018. Before that, he worked at BlackRock from 2016 to 2018 and at Natixis Investment Managers from 2014 to 2016. Earlier, Alexis was a strategy consultant to the asset management and private equity industry at INDEFI from 2013. Alexis earned a postgraduate diploma in accounting and finance from the London School of Economics and a master’s degree in management from EDHEC Business School. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and has 11 years of financial industry experience.

Paul Gambles is Co-founder of MBMG Group and Managing Director of MBMG Investment Advisory. He has completed CFA Level 1 and he is licensed by the SEC as both a Securities Fundamental Investment Analyst and an Investment Planner. He is a member of Advisory Board of IDEA Economics and is well-known as an expert commentator appearing most days on Money Channel’s 10 o'clock news, as well as making monthly appearances as a guest host on CNBC’s Squawk Box Asia, Squawk Box Europe and frequent appearances on National Public Radio, Bloomberg TV, Nation TV, CCTV and others. Paul has been a regular contributor of exclusive opinion editorials to The Nation since 2009 and also a regular contributor to professional magazines.

Paul’s MBMG Updates can be found at http://www.mbmg-investment.com/in-the-media/ and he can be contacted at [email protected]

Gareth Nicholson joined Nomura in July 2021 as Chief Investment Officer and Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management for International Wealth Management. He is based in Singapore. Gareth works closely with Nomura’s Global Markets and Investment Banking businesses to expand the firm’s product offerings and spearhead a streamlined, solutions-driven coverage effort for high-net-worth clients, external asset managers and family offices. With a strong institutional investment background, he creates and manages DPM strategies for fixed income, equity and multi-asset portfolios, while providing risk management support. Gareth has over 16 years of experience in financial markets. Prior to Nomura, he was Head of Fixed Income DPM at Bank of Singapore, where he was also a member of its investment committee. Before that, he was with Aberdeen Standard Investments for almost 10 years as a fixed income trader and an Asian credit portfolio manager. He began working in finance in 2004 as a derivatives specialist with Deutsche Asset Management after an early career as a mathematics teacher. Gareth holds a BSc in Financial Mathematics from the University of Johannesburg. He was born and raised in East London, South Africa.

Michael is a prominent figure in the financial services industry in Asia. He is the founder and CEO of Hubbis, a renowned provider of intelligence and connectivity for the Asian wealth management industry. With a depth of experience and expertise, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry for over 30 years, becoming a leading industry presence in the events, professional development, and publishing space in the region. Hubbis is a multi-generational family-owned and managed business.

He has been actively involved in the Asia-Pacific region since 1993. And has lived in Asia since 1995, holding positions in Hong Kong, Sydney, and Singapore. 

For over 14-years, Hubbis has established itself as the gold standard media and events brand in wealth management thought leadership in Asia. Each year providing a very large body of cutting-edge editorial and sponsored content, organizing top-flight events. During that time Hubbis has become the platform of choice for many high-profile C-suite leaders to communicate their vision of the Asian wealth management.

Before his involvement with Hubbis, Michael founded Pacific Prospect in 2002, a financial services media company. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant success and was subsequently acquired by global business-to-business publisher Incisive Media in 2006. Michael continued to serve as the CEO of Pacific Prospect until October 2008. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Michael garnered 5 years of experience in financial markets publishing.

His career in this field began in 1993 when he joined Euromoney Publications as the publisher of the quarterly magazine, International Bond Investor. In 1995, Michael joined Thomson Financial Services (now owned by LSEG) and spearheaded the conception and launch of Finance Asia magazine. During his tenure as Managing Director of Finance Asia, he also initiated the Asian Debt Review, Asian Private Capital Magazine, and the Finance Asia Conference Business. In 1997, he founded FIA Limited, further expanding his contributions to the financial publishing industry.

Born in North Wales, Michael served as the head boy of St David's College Llandudno. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Cardiff University. Beyond his professional endeavours, Michael is a family-oriented individual and is happily married with three children: Reanna, Garett, and Tarryn.