The CIO Chair

10. Will Nicoll, CIO, RLAM on why trust, transparency, and disciplined decision-making define the modern CIO

In this episode of The CIO Chair Podcast, we sit down with Will Nicoll, chief investment officer at Royal London Asset Management, for a wide-ranging conversation on investment leadership, team building, and navigating uncertainty in today's markets. Drawing on decades of experience across asset management and institutional investing, Will shares why trust is the foundation of every successful investment organisation. He explains how CIOs can build high-performing teams, encourage constructive disagreement, and create an environment where people are motivated by purpose rather than hierarchy. His approach to leadership is rooted in transparency, honesty, and putting clients' interests first. The conversation also explores some of the most challenging moments of Will's career, including lessons learned during the Global Financial Crisis, the dangers of making decisions based on what feels "normal," and why patience is often one of the most underrated skills in investing. Will discusses the opportunities and challenges facing UK investors, the role of infrastructure in supporting economic growth, and how long-term investors should think about market cycles and portfolio resilience. Alongside his investment insights, Will offers thoughtful reflections on hiring, career development, and the importance of helping people find roles where they can thrive. His leadership philosophy is refreshingly simple: great teams are built on trust, great advice is clear and unbiased, and successful organisations are those that continue serving their clients long after today's leaders have moved on. https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/ [https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/]

09. How to Navigate Risk, Change, and Uncertainty with Siddharth Chakravarty, Vice President of Investments, Coaction Global

In this episode of The CIO Chair Podcast, we sit down with Siddharth Chakravarty, Vice President of Investments at Coaction Global. We explore the realities of modern investment leadership and the evolving responsibilities of today’s chief investment officer. The conversation covers how CIO's make decisions in uncertain markets, balance long-term strategy with short-term pressures, and build investment frameworks that can withstand volatility and structural change. We also discuss governance, risk management, portfolio construction, and the human side of leadership inside institutional investing. Throughout the episode, Siddharth brings a measured, analytical perspective to complex investment questions, while also showing a natural curiosity and openness that reflects how he approaches leadership and learning. Rather than relying on rigid market narratives, Siddharth emphasises adaptability, long-term thinking, and the importance of staying intellectually honest when conditions change. Siddharth reflects on his career journey, the lessons learned from navigating complex market cycles, and the mindset required to lead investment teams effectively in today’s environment. We also explore the future of investing, including how technology, private markets, sustainability, and changing client expectations are reshaping the CIO role. Whether you’re a chief investment officer, institutional investor, pension professional, or aspiring investment leader, this episode offers practical insights into how the industry is evolving, and what great investment leadership looks like in practice.  Enjoy! And please consider leaving us a review/rating on your podcast platform of choice. https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/ [https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/]

08. The Rise of DC: How the Pensions CIO Role Is Changing with Veronica Humble, CIO, Cushon.

In this episode of The CIO Chair Podcast, we speak with Veronica Humble, Chief Investment Officer at Cushon, about how the role of the CIO is evolving in the world of defined contribution (DC) pensions. As more individuals take responsibility for their retirement outcomes, CIOs must rethink how investment strategies are designed, communicated, and delivered at scale. Veronica shares how Cushon is approaching this challenge by focusing on member engagement, simplicity, and long-term value creation. With a background in quantitative investing and portfolio construction, Veronica brings a data-driven perspective to pension design, combining rigorous analysis with a strong focus on real-world member outcomes. She explains why traditional pension structures often fail to connect with savers, and how integrating ESG principles, private markets, and default fund design can help deliver better retirement outcomes.  We explore the importance of digital experience, behavioural insights, and creating investment journeys that members can actually understand and engage with. For chief investment officers, pension professionals, and institutional investors, this episode offers practical insight into how investment leadership is adapting to meet the needs of today’s savers, and what the future of DC pension investing could look like. https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/ [https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/]

07. Inside Lloyd’s: Guillermo Donadini on Risk, Capital and Leadership

Guillermo Donadini joins Sean Thompson and Hartej Singh to discuss how investment strategy supports the Lloyd’s insurance market. As CIO of the Corporation of Lloyd’s, Guillermo manages the central fund while overseeing investment risk across the broader marketplace. Guillermo begins by reflecting on his early exposure to economics growing up in Argentina, where economic instability made financial understanding a part of everyday life. His career path, from research roles to global CIO positions at AIG and eventually Lloyd’s, was shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a belief in being “part of the solution.” He explains how the Lloyd’s model differs from traditional insurance companies. Instead of operating as a single insurer, Lloyd’s functions as a marketplace where multiple syndicates share complex risks. The central fund acts as a financial backstop, making its investment strategy critical to maintaining market confidence. The episode explores how Guillermo approaches asset allocation, risk appetite, and portfolio resilience. He discusses how liquidity stress testing and scenario analysis help ensure that assets remain available when claims arise, even during extreme market events. Guillermo also reflects on lessons from earlier crises, including Argentina’s sovereign default, and how those experiences shaped his approach to risk management. He emphasises the importance of preparation, contingency planning, and disciplined processes. Beyond investing, Guillermo shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and personal purpose. For him, the ultimate measure of success is not only strong portfolios but also developing the next generation of investment leaders. https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/ [https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/]

06. A CIO Perspective on LGPS Pooling and Long-Term Investing, With Richard Tomlinson

In this episode of The CIO Chair, Sean Thompson and Hartej Singh speak with Richard Tomlinson, Chief Investment Officer of Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI). Richard oversees investment implementation for local government pension scheme (LGPS) funds, managing assets on behalf of workers across local authorities and public bodies in the UK. Richard explains the origins and purpose of LGPS pooling, outlining how LPPI operates with full delegation to implement partner funds’ investment strategies. He shares what the day-to-day life of a CIO looks like in a large pooled environment, balancing strategy, governance, manager selection, risk oversight, and team leadership. The conversation explores Richard’s career journey, from engineering at Cambridge to hedge funds, consulting, and ultimately public-sector asset ownership.  The discussion spans private assets, UK investment opportunities, and the challenges of pricing long-dated risk. Richard shares a pragmatic view on housing, infrastructure, and corporate investing, emphasising transparency around return expectations and trade-offs. The episode also explores team culture, delegation, and learning from past mistakes, including lessons from 2008. Richard closes by reflecting on leadership, AI’s evolving role in investment processes, and what it means to leave behind a strong institution rather than personal heroics. https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/ [https://www.cioinvestmentclub.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cio-investment-club/]