Press release: The Alternative Investment Management Association premieres a new programme in partnership with ITN Productions – Holding Strong: Alternative Investments in a Volatile Market

Published: 13 October 2021

The Alternative Investment Management Association premieres a new programme in partnership with ITN Productions – Holding Strong: Alternative Investments in a Volatile Market

The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) and ITN Productions are collaborating to raise awareness of alternative investments and the latest sector innovations that are benefitting investors, markets and supporting the global economic recovery.

In the face of unprecedented global disruption arising from the coronavirus pandemic, assets under management for the alternative investment industry continues to break new records with funds under management standing at US$15 trillion globally; approximately 15% of the world’s asset management industry.

Hedge funds are the face of alternative investments in public markets. The 12 months after the initial period of COVID-fuelled market disruption saw the industry report solid returns with leading hedge fund indices up over 32%[1]. Strong performance has continued into this year with the industry up 13% as of the end of August [2]. This performance has not gone unnoticed by investors who are reinforcing their interest in alternative investments, investing in both public and private markets as they seek diversification away from low-interest rate bonds and high-value equities.

Anchored by ITN productions, ‘Holding Strong – Alternative Investments in a Volatile Market’ shows how the alternatives investment industry is growing in influence, highlighting its increasing value to investors, markets and the global economy.

ITN presenter Belle Donati is joined by Jack Inglis CEO of AIMA, the global representative for the alternative investment industry, to discuss how the alternative investment industry benefits investors and supports the global economy, where he sees the industry heading as well as AIMA’s quest to educate the broader industry on the importance of alternative investments.

Produced in a news-style format featuring interviews with industry leaders, the programme offers a series of sponsored editorial profiles filmed on location with AIMA’s global members and partners, including some of the most prominent names across the alternatives investment sector.

[The full, hour-long programme was premiered as part of the AIMA Global Investor Forum on 13 October 2021. The interview with AIMA’s CEO, an educational animation, and the editorial profiles can all be viewed separately and on-demand at AIMA.org]

 

Sponsoring partners:

One of the themes this programme explores is the rise of responsible investing, which is examined from several angles. Apex Group quantifies how the ESG market continues to mature and become more defined, while abrdn explains how it’s investing responsibly in real assets to deliver positive outcomes that benefit its clients, society and the wider world.

Taking a global viewpoint, Reed Smith examines how the pandemic has accelerated the global focus on sustainability, and Esmo Asset Management highlights the complexities of applying ESG in emergingmarkets where each country and region is uniquelyvulnerable to E, S and G factors.

Complementing these discussions, haysmacintye addresses how the industry is fostering diversity and inclusion to attract the next generation of talent.

Elsewhere, Man Group CEO Luke Ellis talks about the group’s growth and resilience during what he described as a “challenging environment” in 2020. We find out where this resilience comes from and how it is manifesting across the industry. 

In a similar vein, Citco offers an insight into the technologies that are driving the alternative investment industry forward, making it more transparent and accessible, while Securis Investment Partners details the latest innovations in the insurance-linked securities market in recent years.

Jack Inglis, CEO of AIMA, said: “The alternative investment industry has doubled in size over the past 10 years with most projections stating it will grow further in size and influence. The benefits of investing in alternatives are increasingly clear across the world, providing investors with much-needed diversity in their investment options, benefitting them and the global economy. We’re delighted to be able to work with ITN Productions to highlight the benefits of the alternative investment industry and showcase its crucial role in protecting savers and financing the economy.”

Tom Kehoe, global head of research and communications at AIMA, added: “It has been a real pleasure to work with ITN Productions on this programme. AIMA is the global representative of the alternatives investment industry, and I am very pleased that we have been a part of this co-production to share real-life examples as to how the industry continues to grow in influence making a positive impact at a local and global level. Many thanks to all the programme’s participants who shared their stories with us.”

Nina Harrison-Bell, head of ITN Productions Industry News, said: “We’re delighted to be producing a programme that raises awareness of alternative investments, de-mystifies the myth that alternative investments are exclusive to the mega-rich and recognises the sector’s role in aiding economic recovery.”

To view the full programme, click here.

 

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About ITN Productions Industry News

ITN Productions produces bespoke creative and commercial content for broadcasters, businesses, brands, rights holders, and digital channels. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news-style programme format, including interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles. For more information visit: www.itnproductions.co.uk

 

About The Alternative Investment Management Association

The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) is the global representative of the alternative investment industry, with around 2,000 corporate members in over 60 countries. AIMA’s fund manager members collectively manage more than $2 trillion in hedge fund and private credit assets. AIMA draws upon the expertise and diversity of its membership to provide leadership in industry initiatives such as advocacy, policy and regulatory engagement, educational programmes, and sound practice guidesAIMA works to raise media and public awareness of the value of the industry. AIMA is committed to developing skills and education standards and is a co-founder of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation (CAIA) – the first and only specialised educational standard for alternative investment specialists. AIMA is governed by its Council (Board of Directors). For more information visit: https://www.aima.org

 

[1] Measured using the Preqin All Strategies Benchmark: 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021

[2] Measured using the Preqin All Strategies Benchmark