The VCT Outlook: Conversations with Our Managers
Join us for an exclusive, high-impact breakfast session bringing together senior investment teams from Foresight, Pembroke, Puma, and Triple Point.
In a market where clients are actively seeking alternatives to pensions and traditional wrappers, Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are playing a pivotal role in reshaping planning conversations. But success in this space now demands more than just tax relief.
We'll unpack:
How leading managers are evolving their VCT strategies, what they’re backing, what they’re avoiding, and how they’re navigating today’s funding environment.
The real-world investor demand: why pension clients are pivoting to VCTs, and what advisers need to know now.
Expect straight-talking insight, portfolio-level intelligence, and a fresh take on where the VCT space is heading and how advisers can stay ahead of it.
Agenda:
9:00 | Arrival & breakfast
9.30 | Introduction & framing the VCT opportunity
10.15 | Break
10.30 | Investment Managers panel discussion with audience Q&A
11.45 | Close
Panel Chair:
Nick Britton, Research and Content Director, AIC
Nick is research director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), providing insights into investment trusts and VCTs for the AIC’s members, their investors and the wider industry. He also runs the AIC’s training and education programme. A former financial journalist, Nick is a CFA charterholder, holds the Investment Management Certificate and is a member of the CISI.
Meet the speakers:
Fred Ursell, Head of Investments, Pembroke
Fred leads Pembroke’s investment strategy and is responsible for its execution across sourcing, due diligence, capital allocation, and portfolio management. Prior to Pembroke, he worked in the Growth Finance team at Grant Thornton and holds a First-Class Honours degree in Business and Finance, the Investment Management Certificate, and has passed Level I of the CFA programme.
Rupert West, Managing Director, Puma
Rupert was part of the founding team of Puma Capital Group and sits on its main board. Rupert oversees all aspects of investment and portfolio management, but is most active in helping management teams define strategy. Rupert has broad experience within the financial markets, having initially worked with an emerging market focus before moving to Barclays Capital within structured finance.
Chris Wiles, Director, Foresight
Chris is a Director based in Foresight's London office. A core part of his role focuses on Foresight's Ventures strategy. Before joining Foresight, Chris worked at Centrica Innovations. Chris holds a MBA with Distinction from Warwick Business School and a First Class Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton.
Seb Wallace, Co-Founder, Triple Point
Seb Wallace, Head of Ventures at Triple Point, manages the investment and portfolio teams. Seb leads deals across many verticals, including fintech, healthcare and vertical SaaS. He is the co-founder of B2B SaaS business, Further, and began his career in Allen & Overy’s corporate M&A team.