Join us on 4 June at Church House for our Annual Conference. The investment management industry is at a significant turning point. The Investment Association’s 2026 Annual Conference will focus on how our sector is not only responding to change but also shaping it through innovation, digitalisation, and a commitment to delivering value for clients and society.
This year’s theme, Transformation in Investment, highlights both the challenges and opportunities ahead. The conference will address topics such as expanding retail access, developing future skills, leveraging technology, and rethinking investment products. Industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators will come together to discuss the UK’s role in a changing world and its strengths as a resilient, client-focused investment hub.
Keynote Speakers Announced:
- Andrew Bailey, Governor, Bank of England
- Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from leading voices and connect with peers shaping the future of investment.
Be part of the transformation. Register for the IA Annual Conference 2026 to engage in discussions that will help shape the future of investment. Whether you are leading innovation, shaping policy, or guiding teams through change, this event offers opportunities to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights for navigating an evolving industry.
We look forward to seeing you at Church House on 4 June for a day filled with inspiration, new ideas, and practical impact. Let’s work together to transform the future of investment. The agenda features keynote speeches, panels, breakout sessions, and training, focusing on practical solutions, policy developments, and case studies to help every attendee lead transformation with confidence and purpose.
TICKETS
Early Bird - Save 10%
EXPIRED
- IA FULL MEMBER............................Free
- IA AFFILIATE, SECTOR, I2020, and ENGINE MEMBERS.......£99.00 + VAT
- NON-MEMBER...............£285.00 + VAT
Standard
1 February to 3 June
- IA FULL MEMBER............................Free
- IA AFFILIATE, SECTOR, I2020, and ENGINE MEMBERS......£110.00 + VAT
- NON-MEMBER..............£315.00 + VAT
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GET IN TOUCH NOWMEET OUR 2026 SPEAKERS
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AGENDA
Select any session to expand speaker details & description
Bringing together senior leaders from some of the UK's largest asset managers, this panel will offer a macro level perspective on the forces shaping investment management in 2026. From the accelerating impact of emerging technologies to a shifting geopolitical order, rising client demand for new products, and an evolving regulatory landscape, senior industry leaders will share how they are navigating a year defined by transformation.
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Global tensions, supply chain realignments, and persistent market volatility are creating a new backdrop for investment strategies. In this session, market strategists discuss how their firms and clients are interpreting fast moving geopolitical events and adjusting portfolios, risk frameworks, and client engagement as a result.
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Consumer expectations are shifting rapidly, shaped by digital natives entering the client base as well as cost of living pressures, demand for value and consumer protection, and competition across the retail landscape. This session will explore what today's retail investors truly need to make confident long-term decisions.
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This session will explore how the industry is adapting, including through the industry-led Retail Investment Campaign launching in April 2026. Industry leaders will discuss innovations in communications, product design, financial education, and engagement strategies.
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With more generations in the workplace than ever before, perceptions of age and work are increasingly shaping organisational debates. Professor Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King's College London, will set out why organisations need an intergenerational workforce strategy - not a Gen Z strategy.
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As passive investment strategies continue to gain market share, active managers face growing pressure to demonstrate where sustainable alpha can still be generated. This session explores how agentic AI can support investment teams — including a live demonstration of an AI-supported investment research workflow and an AI readiness assessment framework.
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With T+1 accelerating industry timelines, firms must rethink how work gets done. This session explores how to deliver by concentrating effort for maximum effect — achieving 100% of the outcome in just 20% of the time. Hear practical insights on simplification, coordination, and high-impact delivery.
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Senior leaders from across government, regulation, and the financial services industry discuss why the UK remains one of the world's most attractive destinations for international investment.
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The UK is a global leader in financial and professional services — and its strength goes far beyond London. Two-thirds of jobs in the sector are based in high-performing regional hubs such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, and Cardiff, each offering deep talent pools and distinct specialisms. This session showcases why the UK remains a top destination for international investment, with a focus on its powerful regional ecosystems.
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This session explores how the UK is streamlining access for international firms through a more coordinated “single front door” approach — designed to simplify market entry, reduce regulatory friction, and provide clearer guidance for global businesses looking to establish or expand in the UK.
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Short, high-energy pitches spotlighting developments set to reshape markets — from the electronification of IPOs and the rise of active ETFs, to consolidated tapes in the UK, long term stewardship approaches, and personalised distribution models.
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Recent developments in frontier AI suggest that for the first time AI systems have demonstrated the capability to autonomously execute complex, multi-step cyberattacks. This session explores what this means for firms' cyber-resilience assumptions, how AI may scale and accelerate attack pathways, and what firms should be considering now to strengthen resilience.
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This fireside chat will trace the evolving threat landscape of economic crime — from the stark statistics of the current economic crime wave, with international organised crime groups using AI to maximise their effectiveness — to the emerging response. Drawing on recent and ongoing work across government, law enforcement and industry, the session will explore how greater collaboration, including the IA's SPoC Scheme and enhanced financial crime intelligence-sharing, can provide a more hopeful and effective path to tackling economic crime.
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Following the keynote, a practical follow on discussion on intergenerational working, focusing on what the 'Gen Z debate' reveals about how work has changed, and what leaders can do to strengthen connection, learning and early career development.
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The boundaries between public and private markets are shifting, creating new opportunities and new structural considerations for investors. Leaders from major asset managers and asset owners will discuss how product design is evolving, how capital is being allocated across the market spectrum, and what this means for liquidity, returns, and client expectations.
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Tokenisation promises to reshape how assets are issued, traded, and held — but what needs to happen next for it to reach scale? This session examines the potential benefits for efficiency, transparency, and consumer experience, alongside the challenges that remain. Industry specialists will unpack what tokenisation means for investment products, operational models, and the regulatory framework required to support efficient adoption.
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A panel of industry experts discusses the rise of active ETFs, the ongoing evolution of the product and the regulatory framework that surrounds them, and the opportunities and challenges that await.
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Tokenisation is moving from concept to practical experimentation across investment management. In this fast-paced taster, we will demystify tokenisation and the blockchain foundations that enable it, outline the main types of blockchain, and translate the topic into what it could mean for fund operations, distribution and the investor experience. We'll introduce the IA's Investment Fund 3.0 work and signpost the key resources and opportunities for firms to get involved. You will leave with clarity on the landscape and a concrete pathway to explore next steps.
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In today's fast-moving investment landscape, strong leadership is no longer optional — it is critical to driving performance, navigating change, and building resilient teams. Julia Streets MBE introduces the principles behind the IA Leadership Bootcamp, designed specifically for professionals in our sector who are stepping into, or strengthening, leadership roles. The session highlights why leadership matters more than ever, the value of structured practical training, what participants gain from the 3-day Leadership Bootcamp, and how developing core soft skills such as emotional intelligence can transform decision-making, collaboration, and influence.
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