More than 100 industry leaders gathered for a day of focused content and high-level networking focused on benchmarking operational excellence in the $1bn+ hedge fund space. Standout topics during the panels and breakouts included:
– AI and technology implementation throughout the industry; – The impact of the multi-strategy model; – Rising managed account adoption; – Recruitment and retention in the sector; – Operational priorities and allocator preferences heading into 2026; – Mega-trends shaping the future of the industry.
The event was supported by key AFI partners including Altaira Strategic Partners, ASC Advisors, Menos AI, Watson Wheatley, IRF, Lanware and HedgeFacts.
Winton COO Nick Saunders (left) joined Brian Douglas, Graham Capital CEO, to discuss operational priorities at leading firms in the opening keynote exchange.From left: Brevan Howard CTO Mike Sanders; Marshall Wace CCO Sven Jones; and Menos AI founder William Wu; were moderated by Drew Nicol, AIMA, in a discussion over how the global hedge fund industry is using AI.Jon Caplis, CEO of PivotalPath, moderated a panel which explored growth in the multi-strategy model as the space approaches $1trn in assets. He was joined by (L-R): Anthony Pratt, executive director, JP Morgan Alternative Asset Management; Susan Harrison, head of EMEA systematic fixed income product strategy, BlackRock; Bhavin Patel, EMEA COO, Boothbay Management; and Todd Millay, head of investment strategy, Atom LP.Allocator fireside: The liquid diversification offered by hedge funds has put the asset class firmly back on the agenda of allocators. Investors including Anthony Murphy, head of macro and trading strategies at UBP, and Adam Singleton, CIO of external alpha strategies at Man Group; give their take on where hedge funds now fit into portfolios, comment on rising interest from private wealth channels and increased SMA adoption.Macro outlook with Wolfgang Münchau, the Director of Eurointelligence, brought to the stage by IRF.Crisis communications in a volatile world. Steve Bruce (left), founder of ASC Advisors, and Christopher Hilditch, co-head of investment funds, London, at McDermott Will & Schulte discussed reputation management and regulatory considerations.
Thank you to all AFI members, delegates, speakers and partners for making the event a success.
The Acceleration and Innovation Summits are returning in 2026! Contact the team for information about partnering with AFI Summits to drive connections and boost your industry presence.
