Insights

At our Research Conference we considered some of the most important trends, threats and opportunities that companies, and investors, around the world will face over the decades to come. This synopsis of edited transcripts and summaries distills those sessions.

Professor Adam Tooze, a highly regarded academic, commentator and author on both sides of the Atlantic shares his thoughts on the challenges we face today, their significance when judged over history, and where there might be grounds for optimism.

In our latest podcast, investment managers Des Armstrong and Tom Miedema discuss their recent research trip to China and Taiwan. With ongoing headlines around geopolitical tensions and the end of China’s strict zero-Covid policy, it was a particularly timely visit.

The complexity of the global energy transition is a significant long-term challenge for investors. At Walter Scott’s recent Research Conference, two guest speakers took a closer look at the reality of the transition and some of the many associated risks and opportunities.

Executive Director Roy Leckie discusses some of the current trends in markets, and highlights the need to focus on strong company fundamentals in what remains a testing backdrop.

Tech philosopher, Mo Gawdat uses his many years in Silicon Valley, including time as Chief Business Officer at the then nascent Google X, to inform his work making the case for technology as something that can enhance our lives. He doesn’t deny the challenges and threats but espouses a view that technology can be a force for good.