On 1st April 2025, Blue Sky hosted an engaging and insightful event for clients and business connections, offering a comprehensive look at current and future market trends, investment strategies and the latest economic challenges. The seminar featured expert speakers – our CEO Gary Neild, Nick Brown – Capital Management Associate at Foresight Group, and Francis Chua – Multi-Asset Fund Manager at Legal & General.
The event covered a broad range of topics, from inflation and interest rates to the evolving global investment landscape, and was designed to help clients navigate a period of market uncertainty with informed strategies.
Gary Neild’s Talk: A Look at Blue Sky’s Future and Key Planning Considerations
Gary kicked off the seminar by sharing exciting developments at Blue Sky Financial Planning. He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the company’s Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), the expansion of the team, and the introduction of a Business Owners Service. Gary also discussed upcoming changes, including the shift to a monthly planning overview, instead of the traditional Weekly Commentary to give clients a more comprehensive view of market trends and planning opportunities.
Key points from Gary’s talk included:
- Economic considerations such as inflation, stagflation, and rising interest rates, with predictions of up to three rate cuts this year.
- Inheritance tax planning and the impact of pension schemes, especially as pensions will fall under the inheritance tax regime starting in 2027.
- Changes in tax regulations, including the reduction of the Capital Gains Tax allowance to £3,000 and the Cash ISA limit dropping to £4,000.
Nick Brown’s Insight: The Future of Infrastructure and Net Zero
Nick Brown, from Foresight Group, shared his expert views on global infrastructure investments, focusing on the role of government contracts and the competition from UK government-funded gilts and treasuries. Nick outlined how private operators, particularly in the digital infrastructure sector, are poised for growth as interest rates decline, and he discussed how the era of regionalization, as opposed to globalization, will shape future investments.
He also covered:
- The journey to net zero and its potential impact on infrastructure, including renewable energy projects.
- The importance of digital infrastructure, with a positive outlook on investments in data centres and telecommunications towers.
- The evolving focus on private-to-public sector transitions as more private companies go public in response to changing economic conditions.
Francis Chua’s Global Investment Strategy: Navigating Market Complexities
Francis Chua, a Multi-Asset Fund Manager at Legal & General, took the floor to dive into the intricacies of global investment strategies. He provided valuable insights into how geopolitical events, such as Trump’s presidency, have reshaped tariffs, regulations and global markets. He also discussed the increasing significance of artificial intelligence (AI), European markets, and emerging market investments.
Francis explored:
- The ongoing shift from manufacturing to services and technology in China and how this impacts global markets.
- The importance of currency valuation in global investment strategies and how the U.S. dollar remains a key parameter.
- The role of commodities, particularly gold, as a hedge against volatility and the growing trend of de-dollarization.
Key Takeaways: A Volatile but Strategic Market Outlook
The seminar concluded with a reiteration of the volatile yet opportunistic nature of current market conditions. Both Nick and Francis emphasised that the global investment environment remains unpredictable, and investors will need to be patient and remain calm to achieve long-term success.
As the Blue Sky team wrapped up the event, we expressed our gratitude to all attendees for joining the seminar and engaging in these important discussions. The team remains committed to providing clients with up-to-date, relevant insights and looks forward to hosting more events in the near future.
Thank You for Joining Us
“We hope you found the seminar both informative and engaging,” said Gary Neild. “We look forward to seeing you at our future events and continuing to support you in making informed financial decisions during these challenging times.”
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All photos taken by our team.
