Fund managers are operating in an extremely difficult market and are searching for senior staff with proven track records

The wealth management industry appears to be redefining risk, with hedge funds becoming the defensive asset of choice

Jaccques D’Estais’ desire to move BNP Paribas away from a product pushing mindset has seen the French bank significantly increase its international imprint

When Jacques D’Estais was transferred from corporate and investment banking to head of asset gathering activities at French bank BNP Paribas two years ago, he quickly established his priorities to his 30,000 employees working across more than 60 countries.</p

Fund managers must avoid short-term trends and stick to their investment philosophy if they are to deliver alpha

Every fund manager wants to be the best,” says Kok Hoi Wong, chairman and CIO at APS Asset Management in Singapore. “If you are one of the best you are going to attract assets and you are going to do very well financially.”

Merrill Lynch’s Simon Miles explains why the human touch is more important than ever in times of extreme volatility such as now

Mattia Nocera, Belgrave Capital Management

Innovative products can help clients to achieve their objectives and manage risk, but many are viewed with cynicism and have a long way to go to shake off the image of being little more than fee-generators

Despite some encouraging pockets of sales in Asia, it is becoming difficult to raise a smile among Europe’s fund houses. Most are struggling to keep afloat against the unpredictable currents of macro and policy-driven stockmarkets.

Lars Kalbreier, Global head of investment funds & ETFs, Credit Suisse Private Banking, Terry Smith, Chief Executive of Fundsmith, debate the role exchange traded funds should play in client portfolios

Charles Fox, Laven Legal

Ucits has proved to be a huge success, but does the arrival of so-called ‘Newcits’ funds risk damaging the directive’s reputation?

The US maybe suffering from slowing growth and worries over the national debt but falling equity prices are creating opportunities for adventurous stock pickers

Gold prices may be extremely high, but fears over the global economy should see the commodity continue to attract nervous investors

Gustavo Rengel

Brazil makes for a compelling medium to long-term investment opportunity, but the country must first overcome high rates of inflation and the effects of a strong currency