The Long-Short

137. From Korean hedge funds to quantum threats to Bitcoin, the conversations that stayed with us (Q2 2026) 24.06.2026 38Min.

What do Korean hedge funds, Hong Kong tax reform, football managers, SMAs and quantum computing have in common? They all featured in the conversations that The Long-Short hosts Tom Kehoe and Drew Nicol couldn't stop talking about long after the microphones were put away. Peter Kim explains why hedge funds are gaining traction in South Korea and why investors are paying attention.Darren Bowdern discusses proposed changes that could transform Hong Kong's asset management industry.Kieran Maguire reveals why choosing the right football manager can be the ultimate source of alpha.Brandon Gill shares insights into the growing influence of separately managed accounts (SMAs).Bill Laboon explores a fascinating question: could quantum computing one day render Bitcoin vulnerable?Along the way, Tom and Drew reflect on the ideas, opportunities and risks that challenged conventional thinking throughout the quarter. Whether you're interested in hedge funds, asset management, institutional investing, football finance or emerging technology, this episode offers a fresh perspective on some of the most thought-provoking discussions from the past three months. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the archive: Catastrophe bonds - where finance meets the forces of nature 18.06.2026 41Min.

This week, we're revisiting a standout episode from 2025 whose themes are even more relevant today. As climate change and El Niño-driven weather events continue to influence global catastrophe risks, Tom and Drew explore one of the most fascinating and fast-evolving areas of alternative investing: insurance-linked securities and catastrophe bonds, where finance meets the forces of nature. Joined by Tim Yip of ILS Advisers and Steve Smith of Maybole Capital, they explore how investors manage disaster risk, earn uncorrelated returns, and build resilience in a changing climate. Tune in as they unpack what lies ahead for this unique asset class as a new hurricane season approaches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

136. Is quantum computing coming for crypto — and what happens next? 10.06.2026 42Min.

Quantum computing promises breakthroughs that could transform life as we know it – but what happens when the technology becomes powerful enough to crack the cryptography underpinning billions of dollars in digital assets?In this episode of The Long-Short, we speak with Bill Laboon, Vice President, Technical Operations at Web3 Foundation, to explore the looming collision between quantum computing and blockchain technology. They discuss why Google's plan to migrate to post-quantum cryptography by 2029 is a wake-up call, how advances in quantum computing could threaten cryptocurrencies, and why the transition to quantum-resistant systems presents both technical and social challenges.With large portions of Bitcoin and Ethereum potentially vulnerable, are investors and the crypto industry prepared for the next great technological shift? And how far away is the quantum threat really? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

135. A landmark moment for Hong Kong asset management industry 02.06.2026 44Min.

A major milestone for Hong Kong's asset management industry is now within reach. After more than six years of sustained advocacy, engagement and collaboration led by AIMA alongside industry leaders, long-awaited reforms to Hong Kong's carried interest and performance fee regimes are edging closer to reality.In this episode of The Long-Short Tom Kehoe and Drew Nicol are joined by Darren Bowdern, Head of Asset Management Tax, Hong Kong, KPMG China, to discuss these highly anticipated changes and what they could mean for asset managers, investors and Hong Kong's future as a leading global asset management hub.Together, they explore the industry's role in shaping the reforms, why they matter, and how they could further strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness as one of the world's premier financial centres. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

134. What hedge fund allocators want in 2026: Inside AIMCo’s investment playbook 27.05.2026 51Min.

After a decade of relative stability, the investment landscape is changing fast. Higher interest rates, geopolitical fragmentation and persistent market volatility are forcing institutional investors to rethink how they allocate capital, construct portfolios and manage risk.In this episode of The Long-Short, we speak with Brandon Gill-New, Managing Director and Head of External Partnerships at the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), one of Canada’s leading institutional investors.Gill-New sits at the centre of AIMCo’s relationships with external managers across public and private markets, giving her a rare perspective on how large asset owners are adapting to a far more uncertain investment environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

133. Why European distressed debt is back in focus 20.05.2026 40Min.

Europe’s credit markets are flashing mixed signals: some see a drought of opportunity, others see one of the richest hunting grounds in years. So, who’s right? Akshay Shah, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kyma Capital, joins Tom and Drew to unpack why he believes today’s European distressed debt market offers one of the deepest and most durable opportunity sets in decades. Shah also explores what makes Europe’s credit markets so complex and inefficient compared with the US, how private credit is reshaping the landscape, and why the rule of law matters more to investors than many might think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

132. Searching for Alpha in Football 13.05.2026 1Std. 23Min.

Why are football clubs - volatile, emotionally driven businesses - attracting billions from private equity firms, celebrities, and sovereign wealth funds? In this episode, football finance expert Kieran Maguire joins The Long-Short to unpack the economics of the global game: where investors find alpha, the true financial cost of relegation from the Premier League, the rise of multi-club ownership, regulation, valuations, and why capital keeps flowing into the world’s most popular sport.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

131. Why global hedge funds are turning to South Korea 06.05.2026 46Min.

South Korea is having a capital markets moment.Home to global leaders in semiconductors, automotive manufacturing and advanced technology, Korea’s markets have delivered extraordinary returns in recent years, fuelled by a powerful combination of market momentum, policy reform and shifting global capital flows. As a result, the country is increasingly attracting the attention of some of the world’s largest hedge funds and asset managers, alongside a groundswell of new domestic capital pouring into public markets.But can Korea finally move beyond the long-discussed “Korea discount” and build a more sustainable growth market for both domestic and international investors?Joining us to explore these questions is Peter Kim, Senior Managing Director and Head of the Global & Wholesale Division at KB Securities, and one of Korea’s best-known market commentators. Together, we discuss the forces driving Korea’s economic resurgence, the evolution of its capital markets, the rise of alternatives and private credit, and whether Seoul could emerge as a new Asian alternative investment powerhouse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

130. Allocators at the gates 29.04.2026 48Min.

This episode tackles one of the most misunderstood, and, frankly, misrepresented topics in private markets right now: gating. Often painted as a crisis measure, gating is in fact a tool designed to match investor liquidity with inherently illiquid assets.Joe Morrissey, a Partner at Seward & Kissel, joins Tom Kehoe and Drew Nicol to explain why gates exist, the difference between fund-level and investor-level restrictions, and why better investor education may be the real key to avoiding panic when markets turn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

129. How the UK plans to stand out 22.04.2026 23Min.

The UK has already seen a significant push of regulatory reform affecting alternative investments this year, with much more still to come.Aniqah Rao, Associate Director of Markets, Governance and Innovation at AIMA, joins The Long-Short to analyse last week’s FCA publication on short selling, the ongoing consultation around a potential ban on non-competes and highlight the key proposals that should be on your radar for the rest of 2026.We’re also launching a new The Long-Short newsletter for deeper insights and to continue the conversation. Sign up here to receive it: https://www.aima.org/join-the-long-short-mailing-list.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

128. What Actually Mattered (Q1 2026) 15.04.2026 26Min.

After a packed first quarter, The Long-Short co-hosts Tom Kehoe and Drew Nicol break down the key forces shaping markets, from geopolitical fault lines and economic chokepoints, to mounting pressure in private credit and what the next phase of AI adoption really means for fund managers. This isn’t a recap, it’s our read on what mattered for alternative investments, and where markets go next.We’re also launching a new The Long-Short newsletter for deeper insights and to continue the conversation. Sign up here to catch the first edition: https://www.aima.org/join-the-long-short-mailing-list.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

127. Decoding quant: Why systematic strategies matter for modern investment portfolios 25.03.2026 40Min.

As part of our ongoing series revisiting timely and relevant conversations, we’re republishing this episode for listeners who may have missed it the first time around ,a clear, practical look at why quant matters more than ever.In June 2025, Philip Seager, Head of Portfolio Strategy at Capital Fund Management (CFM), joined The Long-Short to demystify quantitative multi-strategy hedge funds. From navigating volatile markets to building resilient, data-driven portfolios, this episode explores the science behind systematic investing and its role in diversifying risk, enhancing returns, and future-proofing allocations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

126. Iran’s Chokepoint Strategy: Oil Market’s Breaking Point? 18.03.2026 46Min.

As geopolitical tensions escalate in the Middle East, this episode of The Long-Short explores what a broader regional conflict could mean for hedge funds, energy markets, and macro positioning. Damien Bruckard, Co-Founder and Chair of Geopolitical Strategy, explains why the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for roughly 20% of global oil supply, is central to the investment outlook, how disruption could ripple through inflation, rates, and the broader question of US dollar dominance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

125. Hedge funds just had their best year in decades. But, why and what's next? 11.03.2026 41Min.

Last year, hedge funds delivered their strongest performance since the 1990s. In this episode, Freddie Parker, Goldman Sachs’ Managing Director and Co-Head of Prime Insights and Analytics, explains what drove the surge, which investment strategies did best, and how investors are reacting. Freddie also highlights the rebound in quant, why Asia is becoming a growing focus for managers, and what it signals for the year ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

124. Understanding the Evolution of Private Credit 04.03.2026 1Std. 13Min.

In this episode of The Long-Short, Chenavari Chief Co-Investments Officer & Head of Investment Solutions Edward Smalley unpacks structural credit, bank–private credit dynamics and mispriced risk. He also explores whether private credit is truly “untested,” and how AI and data are reshaping modern credit investing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

123. What HBO’s Industry gets right (and wrong) about short selling and investigative journalism 25.02.2026 54Min.

Financial Times investigative journalist, Dan McCrum, joins The Long-Short to explore the striking parallels between the HBO/BBC drama Industry and the real-world collapse of Wirecard. Drawing on his experience exposing one of Europe’s biggest corporate frauds, Wirecard, Dan explains how accurately the series captures the mechanics of accounting scandals, the controversial but often misunderstood role of short sellers, and the high-stakes reality of investigative reporting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

122. EM-pire of opportunity: How alternative asset managers are unlocking opportunities in emerging market debt 18.02.2026 35Min.

In this episode, hosts Tom Kehoe and Drew Nicol explore the risks and rewards of emerging market debt - an often misunderstood, high-yielding asset class. Joining them is Polina Kurdyavko, Head of Emerging Markets at RBC BlueBay Asset Management, who shares her expert insights on navigating volatility, managing risk, and uncovering opportunity in today’s shifting macro landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

121. Why Japan is back in focus for alternative investments 11.02.2026 42Min.

With Japan’s recent election results bringing markets and policy back into the spotlight, this episode of The Long-Short is worth a revisit. Tom Kehoe is joined by Masaki Taniguchi, Founder and COO of Pleiad Investment Advisors, to unpack how Japan’s asset management landscape has evolved from the 1997 deregulation era to today’s “double asset income” policy, and what it means for Japan’s ambitions (and challenges) as a growing hub for alternative investments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

120. Inside the UAE job market: Trends, tips, and talent shifts 04.02.2026 29Min.

The UAE is one of the world’s fastest-expanding hubs for hedge funds and other alternative investment firms, attracting people from around the world. Not long ago, we spoke with recruiter Oscar Orellana-Hyder of Cordell Partners to get the inside track on hiring trends, the most in-demand roles, and what it takes to land a job in the rapidly evolving financial centre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

119. What do allocators want from hedge funds in 2026? 28.01.2026 29Min.

Hedge funds delivered in 2025 and investors are happy but aren’t exactly throwing more money on the table. In this episode of The Long-Short, Tom Kehoe is joined by Hedgeweek’s Manas Singh to unpack the latest AIMA research on why investors still prize hedge funds for uncorrelated returns and capital preservation yet remain cautious on increasing allocations or backing new managers. They break down demand by strategy, the growing pull of private credit, and why fee pressure is still front and centre.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.