Investment Ideas: Making Sense of the Big Picture
What happens when two of Australia’s most experienced investment actuaries sit down with leading experts to explore the forces shaping our financial future? The Actuaries Institute’s new podcast series “Investment Ideas” finds out.
As markets grapple with profound structural changes, from a shift back to imperialism to declining birth rates globally, “Investment Ideas” pairs Jan Swinhoe, recently named 2024 Actuary of the Year, and Douglas Isles as co-hosts. Jan brings deep expertise spanning derivatives trading, superannuation, structured finance, institutional banking and private banking. Beyond markets, her leadership experience includes serving as President of Athletics Australia, where she gained valuable insights into stakeholder management at a global level.
Her co-host Douglas Isles carries forward a remarkable family legacy – both his grandparents studied to become actuaries in 1930s Edinburgh. After following their path into the profession, he has built his own reputation in investment management at Platinum Asset Management while maintaining a strong commitment to social impact through his board role at Odyssey House.
“Investment Ideas demonstrates how actuarial skills can be applied to tackling complex market challenges,” says Isles.
“By showcasing diverse perspectives from across the investment landscape, we’re hoping to inspire more actuaries to better harness data and investments for good.”
Together they explore seven critical themes reshaping society: deglobalisation, debt sustainability, demographics, disease, decumulation, digitisation, and decarbonisation. The series features conversations with an impressive lineup of guests including leading economists, Order of Australia recipients, superannuation experts, technology pioneers and seasoned investment professionals.
The conversations offer fascinating insights into emerging challenges. The Future Fund’s Belinda Cheung captures a central theme in the deglobalisation episode: “We’re moving from a US-based unipolar system to something that’s more multi-polar… As these rules of the game change, how does that impact our portfolio? Where is the risk and where is the opportunity?”
The geopolitical conversation also features Annette King, who draws on her experience leading digital transformation and building businesses across Asia Pacific to explore how technological and market changes are reshaping investment opportunities in the region.
Demographics are another critical force. “The biggest overarching trend in demographics is the falling birth rates,” explains pensions expert David Knox OAM. “And it’s not just in Australia… It’s falling even in Africa and India. China’s population has already started to decrease.”
When it comes to finding opportunity amid uncertainty, Nicolette Rubinsztein AM offers a compelling framework: “Some of the most interesting investment opportunities come from the areas where there’s most disagreement – or different scenarios, different views of the future – and the most complexity.”
Other episodes tackle the sustainability of debt in a higher-rate world, the intersection of healthcare and investment, retirement income challenges, and how AI is transforming investment processes. Notable guests include aware Super’s Simon Warner exploring debt markets, and Dr. Raymond Yeow offering unique perspectives as both GP and actuary.
“Actuaries have a distinctive way of approaching investment challenges – we combine deep analytical skills with this instinct for thinking through long-term implications and societal impact,” says Jan Swinhoe.
“The series explores how that unique perspective can help navigate the major forces shaping markets in 2025 and beyond.”
In a conversational yet insightful format, each episode runs under 20 minutes, offering easily digestible content for time-poor professionals. The seven-part series starts on 7 February, 2025 with new episodes released weekly.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or through Actuaries Digital. Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts on LinkedIn and reviewing the series on your preferred podcast platform.
CPD: Actuaries Institute Members can claim two CPD points for every podcast listened to.
