Investors continued to demand higher levels of transparency from managers throughout 2020 on their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, processes and procedures – a trend that accelerated during the pandemic and one that is here to stay in 2021 and beyond.

Despite the desire to move forward without looking back, it seems inevitable that 2020 will be discussed and referred to for many years to come, characterised by a numerous and complex set of pressures and demands from various stakeholders.

Forging a career path in the institutional investment sector has the obvious hurdles – degrees, further qualifications, job interviews and ongoing deliverables – but there are less obvious challenges facing those starting out their career; for example, how to make yourself indispensable within your team and win guidance from senior colleagues.

The ongoing pandemic, geo-political unrest, climate events and continuing trade wars are constituents of the most sustained stress test the world has seen in recent history, which has prompted investment managers, investors, regulators and asset servicers to refocus on the true meaning and value of operational resiliency.