Critical thinking

Marsh

Join our thought leaders and special guests, as they explore and debate the themes, trends and opportunities shaping markets, and how these may translate for investors.

Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording and are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Marsh. This is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This does not constitute a recommendation or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. This does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other personalized advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment. Podcast guests may be from firms that Marsh evaluates or rates. Podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Marsh. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Marsh and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast.

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Friday · 28 min
Sports investing: trends, opportunities, and market perspectives
Global sport is fast emerging as a compelling new asset class for institutional investors. In this episode of Critical Thinking, host Teena Jilka speaks with Alastair Seaman, Managing Director at KKR and a member of the Arctos sports investment business, part of KKR solutions, to explore what’s fuelling growing investor interest — and where the opportunities may lie. From North American leagues and European football to Formula One, they unpack why premium sports franchises are attracting attention for their resilience, low volatility, and long-term growth potential, powered by rising media rights, expanding global fan bases, and the growing influence of AI. Capital at Risk. This content was recorded in August 2026. The views expressed are those of the speaker(s). They are current as of the date of recording and subject to change without notice. Podcast guests may be from firms that Marsh evaluates or rates. Podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Marsh. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Marsh and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. For a description of conflicts of interest related to Marsh’s investment business, see Conflicts of Interest. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment. This is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This does not constitute a recommendation or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. This does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other personalized advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The discussion is not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial position. No investment decision should be made based on this information. Certain information may constitute forward-looking statements though there is no guarantee that these results will be achieved. Past performance of any asset class or security is not a reliable indicator of future results. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors considering alternatives should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Marsh makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of statements or information contained herein and takes no responsibility or liability (including for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages) for any error, omission or inaccuracy. This material should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. A transcript may be provided for your convenience. Marsh is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved. Important notices Podcast guests may be from firms that Marsh evaluates or rates. In addition, podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Marsh. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Marsh and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment.
September 16 · 15 min
Managing legacy private market assets: Turning complexity into opportunity
Managing inherited legacy private market portfolios is increasingly complex as allocations grow across private equity, credit, real estate, and infrastructure. This episode looks at the hidden operational and liquidity burden of these assets and outlines decision frameworks to hold, sell, or restructure, emphasizing proactive planning, strong execution, clear governance, and tailored solutions aligned to long-term objectives. Capital at Risk. This content was recorded in August 2026. The views expressed are those of the speaker(s). They are current as of the date of recording and subject to change without notice. Podcast guests may be from firms that Marsh evaluates or rates. Podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Marsh. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Marsh and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. For a description of conflicts of interest related to Marsh’s investment business, see Conflicts of Interest. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment. This is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This does not constitute a recommendation or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. This does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other personalized advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The discussion is not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial position. No investment decision should be made based on this information. Certain information may constitute forward-looking statements though there is no guarantee that these results will be achieved. Past performance of any asset class or security is not a reliable indicator of future results. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors considering alternatives should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Marsh makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of statements or information contained herein and takes no responsibility or liability (including for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages) for any error, omission or inaccuracy. This material should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. A transcript may be provided for your convenience. Marsh is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved. Important notices
September 7 · 17 min
Leadership, Building Enduring Businesses & Private Markets | In conversation with Jon Gray, President and COO of Blackstone
In the first episode of CEO Perspectives under our new Marsh brand, Mick Dempsey, President of Investments and Retirement, speaks with Jon Gray, President & COO of Blackstone, about the leadership principles that have shaped one of the world's largest alternative asset managers. Their conversation explores the evolution of private markets, the growing role of private capital, navigating technological disruption, and how investors can seek to position for long-term opportunities in an increasingly complex world. Capital at Risk. This content was recorded on June 2026. The views expressed are those of the speaker(s). They are current as of the date of recording and subject to change without notice. Podcast guests may be from firms that Marsh evaluates or rates. Podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Marsh. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Marsh and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. For a description of conflicts of interest related to Marsh’s investment business, see Conflicts of Interest. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment. This is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This does not constitute a recommendation or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. This does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other personalized advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The discussion is not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial position. No investment decision should be made based on this information. Certain information may constitute forward-looking statements though there is no guarantee that these results will be achieved. Past performance of any asset class or security is not a reliable indicator of future results. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors considering alternatives should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Marsh makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of statements or information contained herein and takes no responsibility or liability (including for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages) for any error, omission or inaccuracy. This material should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. A transcript may be provided for your convenience. Marsh is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved. Important notices
August 25 · 17 min
Secondaries on the main stage: Opportunity, alignment and the future of private markets
Liquidity has always been a consideration in private markets — but the way investors manage it is changing. In this episode of Critical thinking, Teena Jilka is joined by Mike Forestner and Benjamin Baumann to explore the rise of GP-led secondaries and continuation vehicles. They discuss what is driving the structural growth of the secondaries market, how continuation vehicles work and why alignment and governance matter, what disciplined underwriting looks like in practice, and how investors could think about secondaries as a portfolio construction tool. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
August 7 · 21 min
Accountability at the table: The role of the investment committee
In this episode of Critical thinking, Eimear Walsh, European Head of Investments, is joined by Michel Meert, European Consulting Leader for Endowments, Foundations and Family Offices, and Michael Curtin, Senior Investment Consultant at Mercer, to explore why the investment committee is often the point where governance becomes real and where investment culture can be most visible. The conversation unpacks the investment committee’s role in turning purpose, strategy and risk appetite into decisions and what helps them work well, from clear delegation and strong chairing to good preparation and documentation. It also explores often common pitfalls – slow decisions, unclear accountability, groupthink – and discusses ways asset owners can aim to overcome these to strengthen committee effectiveness over time. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
July 29 · 15 min
What’s driving institutional interest in professional sports?
In this episode Mercer's US Alternatives Investment Leader Matt Vokes is joined by Neil Blundell, CIO at CAIS Advisors, and Catherine Abely, Private Equity Research Specialist at Mercer, for a discussion on the structural characteristics that distinguish professional sports as an asset class — including franchise scarcity, contracted revenue streams, media rights deals, and the evolving liquidity landscape. Together, they also address what investors should consider before allocating, including long holding periods, limited leverage constraints, and the importance of alignment when entering an asset class still in the early stages of institutional participation. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Read our full Important notices. Sources: 00:07:51:18 - 00:08:15:19: Total % of Sports programming of the top 100 shows in 2025. Sports Business Journal, “Sports make up 96 of top 100 telecasts in 2025, tying an all-time record,” 2025. 00:08:56:22 - 00:09:19:01: ESPN, NBA agrees to terms on $76B media rights deals, Jul 10, 2024.
July 28 · 29 min
How wealth managers are rewriting the alternatives playbook amid macro shifts and retailization
In this episode of Critical Thinking, Teena Jilka is joined by David Scopelliti and Karl Heckenberg, President and Managing Partner at Constellation Wealth Capital, to explore how wealth managers are evolving their alternatives playbooks in response to macro shifts, changing client expectations, and the continued retailization of private markets. The conversation looks at how some firms are adapting their offerings, where scaling pressures are emerging, and what the growth of private markets could mean for the future of wealth management. Capital at Risk. This content was recorded in July 2026. The views expressed are those of the speaker(s). They are current as of the date of recording and subject to change without notice. Podcast guests may be from firms that Mercer evaluates or rates. Podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Mercer. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Mercer and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. For Mercer’s conflict of interest disclosures, see Conflicts of Interest. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment. This is provided for informational and educational purposes only. This does not constitute a recommendation or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. This does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The discussion is not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial position. No investment decision should be made based on this information. Certain information may constitute forward-looking statements though there is no guarantee that these results will be achieved. Past performance of any asset class or security is not a reliable indicator of future results. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors considering alternatives should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments. Mercer makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of statements or information contained herein and takes no responsibility or liability (including for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages) for any error, omission or inaccuracy. This material should not be copied, distributed, published or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. A transcript may be provided for your convenience. Mercer is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. © 2026 Marsh. All rights reserved. Important notices Podcast guests may be from firms that Mercer evaluates or rates. In addition, podcast guests may have commercial relationships with Mercer. Notwithstanding any separate relationship between Mercer and a guest, no guest receives direct or indirect compensation for their participation in the podcast. None of the material presented in this podcast is intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment manager or investment.
July 20 · 24 min
Trends and Opportunities in (Re)insurance
In this episode of Critical Thinking, David Morrow, Global Insurance Proposition Leader at Mercer, is joined by Laurent Rousseau, CEO for EMEA and Global Capital Solutions at Guy Carpenter, and Eryn Bacewich, Head of Insurance Solutions within Mercer’s insurance investment practice, to discuss the evolving role of alternative capital in the reinsurance market. Together, they consider the development of risk transfer, from the emergence of Bermuda as a reinsurance hub after Hurricane Andrew, to the growth of catastrophe bonds, sidecars and collateralised reinsurance. The conversation also highlights why investors are seeking exposure to insurance risk, how higher interest rates have renewed focus on insurance float, and what the convergence of financial and reinsurance capital could mean for insurers, reinsurers and institutional investors. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
July 13 · 11 min
Navigating the new private markets landscape
Private markets today are being shaped by megatrends such as artificial intelligence, decentralization, and rising concentration across public markets. As traditional diversification comes under pressure, investors are increasingly rethinking liquidity, risk, and opportunity in a more complex environment. In this episode of Critical Thinking, Niall O’Sullivan, Global Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Mike Forestner, Global Chief Investment Officer for Private Markets, and Dina Richard, Senior Vice President, Treasurer, and Chief Investment Officer at Trinity Health. Together, they explore the evolving role of private markets, from managing portfolios built under different assumptions to reassessing the relationship between public and private equity in an era of AI-driven investment cycles. The discussion highlights how investors are navigating shorter-term pressures alongside long-term conviction, and how potential IPO activity could unlock significant value while remaining concentrated in a small number of dominant players. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
June 30 · 39 min
[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Mark Heemskerk
In the fifth episode of Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf (Cardano) and Marc Heemskerk (Mercer) talk to pensions lawyer and professor, Mark Heemskerk, about an important and topical theme: pensions in court - particularly in relation to the new Dutch pensions system. Together they explore different scenarios and discuss: how realistic lawsuits are related to conversion, who could be held responsible (the pension fund, directors or other parties), and which issues could become decisive. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
June 23 · 19 min
What opportunities and risks are shaping securitized credit markets today?
Global securitized credit has come a long way since the 2008 financial crisis. In this episode of Critical Thinking, Deborah Wardle speaks with Jean de Kock and Thimal Kollure about how the market has evolved, why it is attracting renewed investor interest, and what it may need to build an effective allocation today. This podcast contains statements on historical performance which may not be repeated in the future. Please note that returns on investments are not guaranteed. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
June 15 · 20 min
1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions: Geopolitics, AI, and the search for portfolio resilience
Recorded live at Mercer’s Global Investment Forum in Orlando, in this special edition of the One theme, Two CIOs, Three questions podcast Anne Marie Schultz, US Investments Commercial Leader is joined by US CIO Andrew McDougall and Global Alternatives CIO Garvan McCarthy on the key issues shaping investor decisions today. From geopolitical and energy risk to AI-driven growth, private markets liquidity, and portfolio resilience, they discuss what institutional investors may be underestimating — and how to think about positioning for the second half of the year. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
June 10 · 37 min
[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Jeroen Steenvoorden
In the fourth episode of Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf (Cardano) and Marc Heemskerk (Mercer) speak with Jeroen Steenvoorden, the Dutch national pension ombudsman, about what he is seeing in practice and what challenges participants face. Together they discuss common topics and patterns in complaints and the balance between the letter and the intent of pension schemes. They also look ahead to what the new pension system may mean for the pension ombudsman and for the practice of pension funds. What may board members learn from this? This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
May 20 · 35 min
[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Agnes Joseph
In this episode of Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf and Marc Heemskerk speak with Agnes Joseph about her time in the Dutch Parliament and her involvement in the pension debate. What insights can be drawn from that period, and how does she now view the new pension system? They also look ahead. What does a society in which people are living longer, and may spend 30 years or more in retirement, mean for pensions? Is the current system sufficiently equipped for this, or are further adjustments needed? In addition, the role of solidarity, individual choice, and participation is explored in depth. How far should we go in this? And what does this mean for the balance between security and flexibility within the system? This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
April 29 · 42 min
[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Michael Visser, Nibud
In this episode of our Dutch podcast, Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf, Pension Fund Adviser at Cardano Netherlands, and Marc Heemskerk, Actuarial Consultant at Mercer, talk with Michael Visser from Nationaal Instituut voor Budgetvoorlichting (Nibud) about purchasing power around retirement and the lessons that can be drawn for the transition to the new pension system. Together, they discuss how spending patterns may change as people approach and move through retirement, and what this may imply for purchasing power, the need for indexation, and participant behavior. They then turn to the new pension system and the transition process (“invaren”). This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full Important notices.
April 28 · 25 min
The rest is investments – A conversation with Dominic Sandbrook
In this episode of Critical Thinking, Mercer’s Commercial Leader for UK Investments, Dan Melley, is joined by historian and "The Rest Is History" podcast co-host Dominic Sandbrook to explore what today’s investors can learn from some of history’s most influential financiers. Central to the discussion is the interplay among finance, power, and innovation. Across periods and personalities, a consistent set of lessons emerges: successful investors reinvest and adapt, while proximity to political power can both create opportunity and increase risk. The discussion highlights that, while financial tools and markets evolve, the underlying human dynamics of ambition, risk‑taking, and influence remain remarkably constant. This content is for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice backed on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our important notices
April 15 · 13 min
Unlocking the value of data with AI - Our journey to date
In this episode of Critical thinking, Byron Evans speaks with Rob Ansari and Bev Sharp about unlocking the value of data with AI. They share real examples – from using internal AI tools to streamline manager research to building capital‑flow forecasting – and the lessons learned on data readiness, governance and change management. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full important notices - click here
April 10 · 15 min
From banks to assets: How asset-backed finance is rewriting credit markets
In this episode of Critical Thinking, Amit Popat is joined by Andreas Vermeiren and Huw van Steenis to explore the rapid rise of asset-backed finance (ABF) and its role in modern portfolios. The discussion examines the drivers behind ABF’s recent momentum, as banks retrench and institutional investors, particularly insurers, seek long-duration, stable cash flows. It also highlights the growing role of non-bank capital and the increasing importance of selectivity as the asset class scales. While ABF offers compelling growth potential, success hinges on disciplined credit underwriting and a clear understanding of its role within a broader portfolio. This content is for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice backed on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our important notices.
April 8 · 39 min
[Recorded in Dutch] A conversation with Jacob Schoenmaker, financial journalist
In this first episode of our Dutch Podcast Wegwijs na Invaren, Roel Mehlkopf, Pension Fund Advisor, Cardano Netherlands, and Marc Heemskerk, Actuarial Consultant at Mercer, speak with financial journalist Jacob Schoenmaker to explore how the media is covering the Netherlands’ transition to the new pension system. They unpack the narratives that tend to surface in reporting – including the often‑mentioned “casino pensioen” – and the impressions left by newspaper headlines, TV segments and radio coverage. Together, they analyze what journalists choose to highlight, why complex pension matters can be difficult to explain, and how pension experts themselves can better navigate media dynamics and framing. Finally, they also look ahead: what can we expect from pensions media coverage in the coming years? This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. Read our full Important notices.
April 3 · 15 min
1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions: Values aligned investing in a rapidly evolving landscape with CBIS and Mercy Investment Services
Join host Cori Trautvetter as she sits down with Lisa Laird, CIO of Mercy Investment Services, and Tom Digenan, CIO of Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS), for a frank conversation about the promise - and the misconceptions - of values-aligned investing. Together they cut through the noise to explore whether mission-driven portfolios must sacrifice returns, how AI and rapid structural change are reshaping opportunity and risk, and the practical tools investors could use beyond simple exclusion screens. The views and opinions expressed by the speakers in this podcast are those of their respective organizations, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercer or its affiliates. This podcast is intended solely as a platform to share insights and learnings with the broader investment community regarding developments in values-aligned investing. It is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. This does not constitute an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities, commodities and/or any other financial instruments or products or constitute a solicitation on behalf of any of the investment managers, their affiliates. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not formal investment advice to allow any party to transact. Additional advice will be required in advance of entering into any contract. References to Mercer shall be construed to include Mercer (US) LLC and/or its associated companies. Mercer provides investment solutions and services to a wide range of clients across geographies, regardless of political, social, or religious viewpoints. Mercer has a range of tools and solutions available to help clients meet their particular investment objectives, which may be informed by regulatory requirements and market practices that vary across geographies and investor types. To provide a broad education on topics, including environmental, social, governance (ESG), values aligned and sustainable investing, Mercer does not artificially limit or intentionally target educational content to readers based on the circumstances of a particular audience. The ESG, values aligned, or sustainable investing concepts mentioned herein may not be suitable or appropriate for all investors or in all geographical areas. Read our full important notices - click here

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