1:10pm | Perspectives and Launch of the Emerging Manager Report 2026
Tom Kehoe and Lawrence Obertelli will open the session with a presentation launching the biennial Emerging Manager Report 2026, produced by AIMA and Marex. They will share key findings from the report, including a deep dive into developments affecting managers with sub-$1bn AUM. The presentation will be followed by a panel of leading allocators discussing what the findings mean for emerging managers and what they’ll be prioritising in the year ahead.
2:00pm | Cyber, Geopolitics & the 2026 Threat Map: What Emerging Managers Need to Know
From cyber warfare to geopolitical shocks, this session maps the 2026 threat environment and highlights practical insights emerging asset managers need to protect portfolios, operations, and long-term strategy.
2:30pm | Breakout Sessions
SESSION A: Regulatory Workshop
Join Buzzacott for a focused session on the latest regulatory developments for alternative managers, exploring what’s changing, what’s ahead, and how firms can stay compliant without slowing innovation.
As global regimes continue to diverge, speakers will discuss whether we are entering an era of re- or deregulation, and whether regulatory frameworks are converging or fragmenting further.
The session will provide insights across key markets, including:
- A pro-growth UK
- A flexible yet enforcement-driven US
- An expanding EU rulebook
- An increasingly attractive UAE
The discussion will also examine how these shifts are reshaping operating models, product design, distribution, and jurisdiction choices - and how firms can remain agile in an evolving regulatory landscape.
SESSION B: Entering the Market: Regulatory Hosting and the FCA Authorisation Journey
The hedge fund launch and permissions landscape has evolved rapidly over the past 12 months. Against a backdrop of record launch activity, the FCA has changed its approach to firm permissions, creating practical implications for how applications are managed and increasing the need for expert input from day one. At the same time, the regulatory hosting landscape and its key drivers continue to shift.
Join Matt Raver, Managing Director at RQC Group, as he explores recent FCA changes to the authorisation journey, alongside Ant Bennett, Group Head of Business Development at Capricorn Fund Managers, who will discuss the evolving regulatory hosting landscape and the impact of recent industry developments.
3:30pm | Building Operational Excellence on a Lean Budget
Operational discipline is critical as managers scale. This session explores how firms can build efficient, resilient, and cost-effective infrastructure, covering smart resourcing, scalable technology, and vendor strategies to support sustainable growth amid rising regulatory and investor demands.
4:15pm | Foundations of Effective Investor Relations & Business Development
A practical discussion on how managers can build strong BD and IR foundations from the outset, covering targeted outreach, disciplined pipelines, and clear, consistent investor communication to drive early traction and long-term relationships.
FORUM CO-HOSTS
![Jordan Hogan [273x154].jpg](https://www.aima.org/static/4d01bb52-c6b0-4890-925ac1701fb0aa94/403c7307-634a-49f8-a025fe3258f78c5a/teammember_1c723e7748f46b950a19f7ea68223e65_4a7c7e45a350/Jordan-Hogan-273x154.jpg)