The preparations for this year’s Investment Night began as early as September, as our committee set out to design an event that not only reflects current market challenges but also digs deeper into the increasingly important balance between ethics and profitability. After much deliberation, we landed on the theme “Balancing Ethics and Profits: Portfolio Management in an Era of Global Change and Geopolitical Risk.” This title perfectly describes the dynamic and sometimes conflicting interests that portfolio managers face in today’s global landscape.
Set to take place on April 23 at Tilburg’s iconic Klasse Theater, this edition of Investment Night promises an engaging and thought-provoking experience. Unlike previous editions that have predominantly focused on one aspect of finance, this year we’re expanding the conversation to explore how ethical considerations and risk management coexist in a volatile geopolitical environment.
Symposium structure and topics
The evening will kick off with a concise introduction on the evolving role of portfolio management amidst global uncertainties. Participants and speakers alike will then dive into a series of carefully crafted statements designed to spur discussion and debate. The key statements for the night are:
- Statement 1: “Portfolio managers should avoid investments in the arms industry.”
- Statement 2: “To what extent do you mitigate geopolitical risk, and can you provide a recent example of this?”
- Statement 3: “To what extent can avoiding investments in regions with significant geopolitical instability reduce portfolio volatility?”
- Statement 4: “To what extent has your attitude/vision towards ethical investing changed since the war in Ukraine?”
- Statement 5(if time permits): “What impact does firm-level geopolitical risk have on corporate leverage?”
These statements have been chosen not only to challenge prevailing opinions but also to shed light on practical strategies that help balance ethical imperatives with the pursuit of profitability.
Expert perspectives
The symposium boasts an impressive lineup of speakers who bring a wealth of knowledge from various corners of the financial world. Among the confirmed speakers are:
- Jac Kragt, Professor at Tilburg University, whose academic insights promise to contextualize ethical investing within broader economic theories.
- Robbert Manders, Equity Analyst at Antaurus Capital Management, who will share his industry experience and provide an analytical perspective on managing geopolitical risks.
- Talha Zafar, Director Private Equity at PGGM, adding his extensive expertise in private equity to the discussion on ethical investment strategies and portfolio management.
- Jochen Harkema, Co-Manager ING Impact Fund, Specialist in Sustainable Investing at ING, valuable insights into how sustainability principles are integrated into investment strategies, drawing on his experience with impact funds and responsible investing initiatives.
In addition to these experts, the event will feature a lively open discussion session. This will be moderated by a chairman who will ensure that every statement is explored from multiple angles and that the conversation remains both insightful and accessible.
A collaborative and open dialogue
Much like previous editions, the success of Investment Night hinges on the active participation of our audience and speakers alike. The event is structured to foster a two-way dialogue—allowing participants to pose questions, share experiences, and contribute to the evolving discussion on ethical portfolio management. The moderators and speakers are committed to an open discussion, where the nuances of managing investments in today’s challenging environment are laid bare.
As we look forward to this year’s event, we are confident that the mix of academic expertise, market insights, and real-world experience will provide valuable takeaways for everyone in attendance. We invite you to join us on April 23 at Klasse Theater in Tilburg for an evening that promises not only to inform but also to inspire.
For more details about the event, please visit the official event page.
We look forward to a night of engaging debates, insightful perspectives, and, most importantly, a balanced conversation on ethics and profits in a rapidly changing world.
