Podcast
FTSE Russell Convenes
Hosted by FTSE Russell (an LSEG business) · EN
FTSE Russell Convenes gives you insider access to the ideas shaping the future of investing. Join leading voices from finance and academia as they unpack the forces transforming markets, regulation, and investor behaviour—brought to you by a global index leader at the heart of the investment ecosystem.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Geopolitical risk in 2026: A wake-up call for businesses
Jan 2800:10:34Tap to summarizeHas geopolitical denialism run its course? Welcome back to the FTSE Russell Convenes ‘geopolitical’ series. Tina Fordham, Founder of Fordham Global Foresight, returns to explore how the current constellation of risks interact with markets. Tina reflects on 2025 and reveals the key signposts shaping the 2026 risk map—from U.S mid-terms to Hungary's upcoming elections. She also explains how geopolitical risk will impact businesses and shares the word she believes best captures the year ahead.
Transcribe →The mega trends and innovations affecting real estate investing
Nov 500:18:33Tap to summarize“Real estate touches all the big evolutions we see in society”. Listen as David Sol, Global Head of Policy, FTSE Russell, and Dominique Moerenhout, CEO of the European Real Estate Association (EPRA) discuss how mega trends such as specialisation, scale, consolidation, sustainability and innovation affect the real estate market.
Transcribe →Managing risk exposure to private equity through public equity
Oct 3000:07:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Indrani De, FTSE Russell and Ed Tom, Cboe, present new research they have co-authored that explores how options on public equity can be used to manage private equity risk. Their findings reveal surprising similarities between private and public markets once smoothing techniques are applied—and how options strategies can be a good hedge of private equity risk exposures, using both tactical and systematic hedges.
Transcribe →Pacer ETFs: Focus on advisors
Oct 2200:11:01Tap to summarizeListen as Joe Thomson, Founder and CEO of Pacer ETFs, discusses Pacer’s origins in fund distribution. Our discussion covers the launch of Pacer’s ETF business in 2015 and their focus on developing deep relationships with financial advisors. Guest: Joe Thompson, Founder and CEO, Pacer Financial Host: Steve Kriechman, Director, Index Investments Group, FTSE Russell
Transcribe →Diversifying into international fixed income
Oct 1500:10:39Tap to summarizeMarina Mets (FTSE Russell) and BlackRock's Joyce Choi talk about the recent market volatility and how the recent market dynamics in the US along with the falling US dollar make international fixed income more attractive to invest in. Joyce discusses the best way to dip your toes into international bonds and which iShares ETF invests that way. Guest: Joyce Choi, Head of Institutional Product Strategy, Fixed Income, ETFs, BlackRock Host: Marina Mets, Head of Americas, Fixed Income & Convertibles, FTSE Russell
Transcribe →Decentralising proxy voting power and investor democracy
Oct 800:05:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Stephanie Maier, FTSE Russell and Laura Starks, University of Texas, discuss investor democracy and the evolving landscape of proxy voting where shareholder voting becomes more open and inclusive, enabling broader participation and representation. Laura explains the impact of decentralised voting and investor choice programs, revealing key findings from her latest research on how these shifts influence decisions on ESG and climate proposals, and corporate governance. Guest: Laura Starks, George Kozmetsky Centennial Distinguished University Chair and Professor of Finance at the McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin Host: Stephanie Maier, Head of Sustainability, FTSE Russell
Transcribe →Access granted: Unlocking private markets with StepStone Group
Oct 100:11:31Tap to summarizeMeet StepStone Group, a private markets solutions provider with $723 billion in total capital responsibility (as of June 30, 2025). In June 2025, FTSE Russell announced a partnership with StepStone to leverage their extensive private markets database in the creation of new indices—designed to help investors better understand these strategies and potentially broaden access to the asset class. We sat down with Tom Keck, StepStone’s Co-founder and Partner, to explore the hidden value these next-generation private markets benchmarks are poised to unlock.
Transcribe →ETF trends in the wake of market volatility
Sep 2400:08:10Tap to summarizeDana Moody (FTSE Russell) and Vanguard's Carole Okigbo discuss recent Vanguard milestones and review some current ETF industry trends, including the resilience of the ETF structure in the face of more recent market volatility. Lastly, they look at portfolio construction considerations and some common ETF misconceptions.
Transcribe →Portfolio construction – practical considerations for investors
Sep 1700:14:13Tap to summarizePortfolio construction is a key tool for investors. By applying a framework and a systematic approach, investors may understand their exposures better. Listen to learn more about both practical and theoretical ideas about building robust and resilience strategies. Host: David Sol, Global Head of Policy and Governance FTSE Russell Guests: Dr. Joseph Simonian, Head of Equity Portfolio Design and Analytics, CalPERS and Sebastian Lancetti, Head of Index Research & Design, Americas, FTSE Russell
Transcribe →ETF evolution and use in portfolio construction
Sep 1100:17:14Tap to summarizeAnthony Rochte (FTSE Russell) talks with GSAM's Brendan McCarthy and ProShares' Mo Haghbin about the evolution of the ETF industry. They discuss how the types of ETFs are evolving and how the question in portfolio construction is no longer about active vs passive, it's how you combine the two optimally.
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