FUTURE
CONFERENCES
Purpose
Held in English, this event will cover a range of topical investment issues. The target audience is predominantly Belgian pension funds and other institutional investors such as Insurance Companies and Foundations from Belgium and the wider Benelux region.
Programme
09.30
Registration
10.00
Conference start
Partner & Co-Chair Pensions
NEXYAN
Regulatory challenges for pension funds in 2025 and beyond
Pension funds, set up in Europe in general and in Belgium in particular, face the following regulatory challenges :
- IORP II and the future revision of IORP II : impact on the governance and risk management of pension funds
- How to take into account ESG factors in risk management and investments and how to comply with the requirements under the EU Regulation on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector (SFDR)?
- How to implement the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) ?
- Not to forget other EU legislation : the GDPR, the Shareholders’ Rights Directive, the Whistleblowing Directive…
- Conclusion
Investment Director
Capital Group
Duration, risk and return: Positioning investment grade in an institutional portfolio
With markets volatile, lagging issuance and interest rates still a factor, fixed income investors need to consider all the angles. Still, overall, this is a constructive backdrop for credit. Fixed income investment director, Edward Harrold, will address some of the key questions on fixed income investors’ minds right now:
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How will central banks’ policies impact interest rates and bond yields?
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What are the prospects for global economic growth, and how might a potential recession affect corporate earnings and creditworthiness?
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How will credit spreads evolve, particularly in light of ongoing market volatility and geopolitical tensions?
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What are the expectations for inflation, and how will it influence real returns on investment-grade bonds?
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Financials are among the largest issuers of corporate bonds. What is the state of the banking industry today?
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How will ESG factors influence investment decisions and corporate bond performance?
11.15
11.45
Coffee Break
Session 2
Deputy Head Credit & Insurance Linked Investments
PGGM
Introduction to Private Credit Risk Sharing Transactions with Banks
Credit Risk Sharing (CRS), also known as SRT transactions, is getting increasing attention as one of the growing private credit asset classes. This type of securitisation is a way to share the credit risk that are on bank’s balance sheets, giving investors access to private credit exposures originated by leading bank originators. Already quite established in Europe, CRS is now growing rapidly in the US as well. This session will give insight in how these transaction work, the market dynamics and how PGGM has structured its investment process and due diligence.
Pieter D'Hoore
Head of European Private Loans, Managing Director
Basel IV and the opportunities in European Private Corporate Debt
The The regulatory changes in the European banking market after the GFC are still resonating today. Limitations on corporate funding through bank balance sheets initially had a limited impact as Quantitative Easing provided ample liquidity on shorter tenors. With the European Central Bank balance sheet shrinking and a new rates environment Corporates are re-thinking their liability matching. In this session we discuss the attractive investment opportunities this is creating.
12.55
14.00
Lunch
Session 3
Tim Derycke
Investment Officer
Pensioenfonds KBC
Private Assets for Pension Funds
Private assets can increase the efficiency of mixed portfolios. Why is there a gap between theory and practice?
Deputy Secretary General
PensioPlus
Sustainable Finance Framework for Pension Funds: Integrating ESG in the Belgian Pension Fund Sector
The primary fiduciary duty of pension funds is to ensure the provision of robust supplementary pensions for their members. Alongside this core responsibility, there is an increasing opportunity to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into investment strategies. This session begins with an overview of the Belgian pension fund sector, providing essential context before exploring the strategic approach taken by these funds to balance their fiduciary priorities with sustainable investment goals. It demonstrates how ESG principles can be effectively integrated within the frameworks of IORP II and the prudential guidelines for sustainable investment.
The presentation further examines the implications of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), focusing on the challenges for pension funds and the possible implications of the upcoming review. Special attention is given to the necessity of proportionate regulation that aligns compliance requirements with the practical realities faced by smaller pension funds.
15.30
Approx. close of conference followed by refreshments
Cost
The conference is by invitation only for pension funds and other institutional investors and we welcome new attendees from these investors. Therefore if you are not already receiving an invitation please contact us. A limited number of Complimentary invitations are available to genuine pension fund representatives (executives and trustees) and other approved institutional investors. However, to ensure we have room for as many funds as possible, we have to limit free places to 3 attendees per approved organisation thereafter a reduced rate fee is payable per delegate. Furthermore, SPS always reserves the right of admission (free or paid) and our decision is final.
Venue
Media Partners
