London Hot Topics 2026 brings together fund managers, investors and financial institutions for a half-day programme examining the regulatory, tax and market developments shaping the investment management landscape in the year ahead.
This will be the first London Hot Topics event since the combination of McDermott and Schulte, bringing together an expanded range of perspectives across the investment management landscape.
Through focused panel discussions led by senior practitioners from across McDermott Will & Schulte, the programme will provide practical, commercially grounded insight into the issues currently affecting managers and investors, including liquidity, fund finance, regulatory developments and investor considerations.
Each session is designed to deliver clear perspective and actionable considerations to support strategic planning and decision-making in 2026.
Secure Your Place
Wednesday, 20 May | 3:30 - 7 PM
BAFTA, London
Programme
Wednesday, 20 May – All times reflected in GMT
4:00 – 4:10pm
Welcome & Introduction
Josh Dambacher
4:10 – 4:25pm
Structuring smart: managing liquidity constraints – learn what’s changing and why.
Christopher Hilditch, Amy MacDonagh
4:25 – 4:40pm
Fund finance: subscription lines, NAV facilities and the leverage debate – who’s really bearing the risk?
Polly O'Brien, Vlad Maly
4:40 – 4:55pm
UK tax update: the UK is still “open for business” – tax developments impacting investment managers.
Nick Fagge, Elizabeth Spencer
4:55 – 5:10pm
Regulatory update: the year ahead for investment managers – an in-depth look at valuations, conflicts of interest, and growing retailisation.
Christopher Avellaneda, Karen Butler
5:10 – 5:25pm
Aligning with your investors: managed accounts, expenses, and side letters.
Josh Dambacher, Lee Smith
5:30 – 7:00pm
Networking reception
Speakers
Senior practitioners from McDermott Will & Schulte will share market-facing perspectives drawn from current work with fund managers and investors across the UK and Europe.
Expect focused discussion on the regulatory, tax and market developments currently shaping investment strategy.
Who should attend?
Fund Managers
Institutional Investors
Financial Institutions
Professionals responsible for strategy, capital raising, regulatory oversight and investment decision-making, along with service providers supporting these functions, will benefit from practical insight and peer-level discussion relevant to today’s market environment.
Insights
Venue
BAFTA
Princess Anne Theatre
195 Piccadilly
London W1J 9LN