AssetOps London schedule

As transformation accelerates, operational change must go deeper than systems and processes. This session unpacks how asset managers are tackling the human side of change—from aligning stakeholders to embedding new ways of working. Hear from leaders who’ve navigated complex transformations and learn how they build lasting engagement, overcome resistance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. 

Key Discussion Points: 

• Learn how to move from abstract strategy to embedded behavioural change across ops, data, and tech teams 

• Tactics for sustaining momentum in environments facing compounding transformation pressures (regulatory, tech, growth) 

• Discuss how to engage and equip team leaders to cascade and sustain change effectively 

• Explore how to build change frameworks that support governance, but allow agility and adaptation as transformation unfolds 

• Leveraging AI to direct human capital toward high-value activities
• Balancing technical expertise and investment judgement in AI-enabled models
• Using AI to identify skills gaps and redeploy talent efficiently

• Gain practical insights from transformation journeys focused on replacing legacy infrastructure 

• Discuss the tension between short-term cost control and long-term innovation investment 

• Explore how COO-CTO collaboration is reshaping business architecture 

• Examine cultural and talent shifts needed to support agile, tech-driven operations

Moderator: Rob Middleton, Chief Data Officer, Royal London Asset Management

Speakers:

Phillip Chapple, Chief Operating Officer, Monterone Partners LLP

Archana Mohan, Chief Operations and Technology Officer, Navera Investment Management Limited

Sachin Anandikar, Chief Technology Officer, Pemberton Asset Management

• Process challenges in a growing, solutions-oriented Investment Management firm

• Using BPM to support end-to-end inter-departmental processes – control first, then iterative improvement

• Digitalisation journey – process improvement; BPM foundation; process data visualisation; robotics; GenAI

• Responsible AI approval processes – act as a brake on speed of delivery, but essential

• Some Use Cases for GenAI we’ve explored, and what we’ve learned so far.

• How the COO role is evolving and expanding in scope
• Pathways into leadership, including COO to CEO journeys
• Building and supporting female leadership pipelines
• Developing the next generation of operators across the industry

Moderator: Lianne Walsh, Founding Director, Bridgepoint COO Services

Speakers:

Davina Goodall-Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Royal London Asset Management

Paul Bromley, Chief Operating Officer, RBC BlueBay Asset Management

• How are firms rethinking structure, talent, and tech to unlock growth and resilience?
• Redefining operating models to be leaner, modular, and digitally enabled
• Discuss the rising importance of interoperability between front, middle, and back-office systems
• Lessons from firms that have successfully navigated complexity through simplification

Moderator: Olivia Griffiths, Senior Advisor, Tristan Capital Partners

Speakers:

Karen Sands, Chief Operating Officer, Private Equity, Federated Hermes

Davina Goodall-Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Royal London Asset Management

• Assess how UK, EU, and US regulatory shifts are reshaping ops strategy and resourcing
• Examine how data architecture and controls must evolve to support cross-border compliance
• Explore what transformation success looks like—beyond tech implementation
• Share strategies to align transformation initiatives with strategic growth priorities

Moderator: Lianne Walsh, Founding Director, Bridgepoint COO Services

Speakers:

Heli Khandelia, Head of Strategic Change, Pictet Asset Management 

Olivia Griffiths, Senior Advisor, Tristan Capital Partners

George Vakalopoulos, Head of Regulatory Developments & Thematic Reviews, BNP Paribas Asset Management

Chris Bedo, Head of Business Consultancy, Royal London Asset Management

Roundtable 1: The new COO mandate: Exploring the COO's expanding role in transformation, cost control and data strategy

Stuart Gunderson, Chief Operating Officer, Compliance Officer & MLRO, Seilern Investment Management

Mario De Bergolis, Chief Operating Officer, Asset Management One International

Roundtable 2: AI Ethics, Data Governance & Privacy

Speaker:

Sally Bashuan, Executive Director and Head of Global Data Governance, Federated Hermes

Roundtable 3: The democratisation of automation: How boutiques are leveraging modern tools to gain a competitive advantage

Speakers:

Chris Taylor, Chief Operations Officer, CG Asset Management Limited

Mari Parry, Principal AI Engineer, BlackRock

Roundtable 5: Governance as a strategic advantage: Turning regulation into operational strength

Speaker: Marc Wood, CEO of Handelsbanken ACD and Head of Fund Governance & Oversight, Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management

Roundtable 6: Operational resilience at scale: Rethinking outsourcing and strategic partnerships

Speakers:

Cristina Nunziata, EVP, Head of Client Operations EMEA, PIMCO

Daniel Wells, Head of UK & IRE Oversight, Franklin Templeton

Roundtable 7: Managing upskilling Fear in a downsizing world: Strategies for workforce resilience

Speaker:

Katy Rose, Head of Performance & Data, Amova Asset Management UK Ltd