Changing World, New Opportunities

Insights and the ideas of research group the Defined Contribution Investment Forum (DCIF)

Author: Defined Contribution Invest Forum (DCIF)

In our second season of the podcast, were interviewing senior investment figures from large defined contribution pension schemes. Were asking them to reflect on the investment challenges reflecting them as DC leaders. What are they excited about and whats keeping them awake at night? In this show, we chat to experienced members of the investment world, broadcasting their insights, as well as the ideas of the DCIF, to pension fund decision-makers in the UK and across the globe. This show is hosted by Louise Farrand, a journalist who has written about DC pensions and finance issues for over a decade and has run the DCIF for nine years. Co-hosting is Lorna Kennedy, chair of the DCIF and a partner at Baillie Gifford. To subscribe to this show and read the regular research the DCIF publishes, head to www.dcif.co.uk and follow the DCIF on Twitter (@DCIF) and LinkedIn.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: Business, Investing, Management

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

Cutting Through the Noise: Jo Sharples on Conviction Investing in DC
Episode 10
Thursday, 5 February, 2026

This week on the podcast, we chat to Jo Sharples, chief investment officer for Aon’s DC solutions. Jo shares her wisdom about investment, revealing her ‘sleep at night strategy’ – we love this idea.We discuss the importance of cutting out the noise and sticking to your guns in times of short term volatility.Jo explains why she has just made an allocation to long-dated government bonds in the growth phase – despite being very pro equity in general – and explains why government bonds are very much on her radar.She has a challenge to the industry on net zero: have we done the easy things and saved the harder choices for later? Are we making enough real progress? If not, what needs to change?We also discuss private markets, and Jo shares the types of assets the Aon master trust is looking at – and why it’s important to have different risk/return focuses for people at different stages of their lives. Listen to the podcast to find out exactly what they’re looking at.We loved catching up with Jo. Enjoy the episode!