Speakers at Seminar 'Geopolitics and the Future of Global Investing: How to Position your Portfolio for 2027'

Bob Homan is sinds 2008 Hoofd van het Investment Office van ING en daarmee eindverantwoordelijk voor het beleggingsbeleid van ING voor haar Nederlandse klanten. Hij startte zijn carrière bij de Postbank en werkte voor zijn overstap naar ING bij diverse vermogensbeheerders. In de media is hij het gezicht van ING wanneer het om beleggen gaat. Homan studeerde Economie aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Ella Gude is Head of Investment Strategy and Asset Allocation at BNY Advisors. Previously, Gude served as Head of the fixed-income and Co-Head of Real Return at BNY Investments Newton. Gude is also a voting member of the BNY Global Investment Council. Gude has contributed to the GIC’s tactical asset allocation views from the Council’s inception at the firm. Gude joined Newton in July 2023 bringing over 23 years of experience in managing a variety of fixed-income portfolios. Gude was previously a senior investment manager at Pictet Asset Management on the global bonds team. Prior to that, Gude held investment management positions at Wellington Management and Invesco Asset Management. Gude was recognized as one of the 50 leading women in hedge funds for 2019 and a Top European Fund Manager by Morningstar in 2026. She is an active advocate of developing and nurturing talent in the industry. Gude holds an Executive MBA from the University of Cambridge. She holds a MSc in International Finance and a BA Hons degree in Business Finance. In addition, she is a CFA charterholder.

Karen Watkin is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager for the Multi-Asset Solutions business in EMEA. Along with being Portfolio Manager for the All Market Income Portfolio, she is responsible for the development and management of multi-asset portfolios for a range of clients. From 2008 to 2011, Watkin was Portfolio Manager for the Index Strategies Group, responsible for the development and management of AB's custom index strategies for institutional clients in EMEA. Watkin holds a BA in Economics with European study from the University of Exeter and is a CFA charterholder.

Luc Aben has been working in the field of asset management and asset advice in the Netherlands and Belgium since 1992, including 23 years at Van Lanschot Kempen. He started his career as an Equity Analyst, gradually moving towards macroeconomics and investment strategy. Since 2012 he is Chief Economist of Van Lanschot Kempen. In this role he is co-responsible for allocation choices in asset management and investment advice. He also provides economic input for steering the bank's own balance sheet.

Rik Klerkx is Head of Balance Sheet Management at Achmea Investment Management, where he leads the team responsible for rates, currency and inflation risk management, LDI portfolio management, and Treasury & Trading. He joined Achmea IM in June 2026 and brings more than 20 years of investment experience across fixed income, derivatives, private markets and multi-asset investing, with previous roles at Cardano, De Nederlandsche Bank and J.P. Morgan. His expertise focuses on designing robust investment portfolios for institutional investors, combining scenario thinking, disciplined execution and a strong focus on their long-term objectives.

Vera Fehling joined Western Europe, DWS, in 2011 with 4 years of industry experience. Prior to her current role, she served as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager. Before joining, she worked as a Fixed Income Analyst at BHF Bank and in Covered Bond Research at Commerzbank Fehling has a Master's Degree in Mathematics from Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz; Certified International Investment Analyst.