New Court

Industry insights: Luxury retail

As non-essential shops begin to re-open, high streets and shopping centres are gradually recovering some semblance of normality. Nonetheless, months of lockdown and lost footfall have dealt a devasting blow to brick-and-mortar retail, with fashion and clothing stores making up a substantial part of this sector. In this podcast, we take a closer look at the impacts of COVID-19 on retail and luxury fashion. Sian Westerman, a Senior Advisor in Rothschild & Co’s Global Financial Advisory business, and the Co-Chair of the British Fashion Council Trust speaks with Stephanie Phair, Chair of the British Fashion Council, founder of TheOutnet.com and Chief Customer Officer at luxury online retailer, Farfetch. Stephanie speaks of Farfetch's experience during the pandemic as well as her insight into the wider and longer-term impacts for the retail sector. 

Quarterly Podcast: July 2020

After a dramatic stock market plunge in the first quarter of 2020, markets have rebounded almost as dramatically in the second quarter. We therefore maintain that because the downturn was deliberate, and as stock markets tend to be forward-looking, it may well prove relatively short-lived. Re-emphasising the surprising pace of this rebound, we explain that portfolios have recovered much of the losses sustained in the first quarter, and look ahead to the opportunity which lies in the current dispersion between industries and markets.

Meet the Manager: Jay Creel and John Dowling, Bares Capital

Based in the growing tech ‘hub’ of Austin,Texas, we speak with Jay Creel and John Dowling of Bares Capital who invest in small-to-mid-cap tech disruptors with long-term growth potential.

With a high-conviction portfolio, currently investing in just 9 positions, we take a deep-dive into Bares’ stock selection process and their boots-on-the-ground approach, exploring a few positions in detail. Looking beyond the uncertainty of COVID-19, we discuss the longer-term trends which could present greater opportunities.

Industry insights: Food production and consumption

In lockdown, cooking and eating at home, without the luxury of restaurants or cafés, has encouraged many of us to think more about how we source and consume our food. Shifts in demand and social distancing restrictions have also caused huge disruption for producers, highlighting critical issues in the ways we grow, distribute and import our food.

In this podcast we speak with chef and restaurant owner Paul Ainsworth, food journalist Dan Saladino and Akeel Sachak, our Global Head of Consumer, as we delve into the effects the pandemic has had on the industry.

In conversation with: Mike Azlen, Carbon Cap

In the past year, there have been many watershed moments in climate change activism. We saw Extinction Rebellion shutdown cities, Greta Thunberg become a household name, and brands and consumers across the board reject single-use plastic. 2019 has since been regarded as the year sustainability became ‘mainstream.’

In this episode we speak with Mike Azlen, Founder and CEO of Carbon Cap, which aims to cap and reduce carbon emissions through its World Carbon Fund. Mike examines the gathering momentum of climate change activism, exploring the potential challenges, and even advantages, that green policies may face in the aftermath of COVID-19. He also discusses the positive impact that carbon cap and trading policies have had, and their ability to continue reducing carbon emissions over the long term.

A closer look: Ryanair and Cable

In this podcast, we provide some insight into our investment process, sharing our views on portfolio holdings amidst the ongoing market volatility.

In conversation with: Nick Bailey

In what would have been the lead up to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we speak with horticultural designer, presenter and writer Nick Bailey, who shares his wisdom from a remarkable 25 years in horticulture. He suggests what to plant at this time of year, how to best deal with pests, and how to brighten up any size of outdoor space.

Nick reflects on the unfortunate cancellation of “the pinnacle of global horticulture”, RHS Chelsea Flower Show, but he assures us that there will be an abundance of coverage, which will no doubt satisfy any revitalised passion for all things horticulture.

In conversation with: Owain Doull

With many of us missing our usual quota of live sports, the unprecedented postponing of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics came as another blow to this summer’s events calendar. However, the disappointment felt by fans and spectators must pale in comparison to that felt by athletes who had hoped to be competing in the Games. One such athlete is Owain Doull, Welsh road and track cyclist. 

We are therefore delighted to share our latest podcast with you, where we speak with Owain about his experience in Brazil and how he is dealing with the current disruptions to his sporting calendar.

Meet the Manager: Michael Gilmore, Albizia Capital

We speak with Michael Gilmore, Head of Research at Albizia Capital, who shares his thoughts not only on the challenges presented by Coronavirus, but also on the wider regional pressures facing the South-Eastern Asian market, together with an in-depth look at the Fund’s research strategy and stock selection.

 

 

In conversation with: David Mayer de Rothschild

For the second instalment in this series we are delighted to share with you our discussion with explorer and environmental activist David Mayer de Rothschild. David has carved a path beyond the family business, from expeditions to social enterprises, notably crossing the Arctic in 2006, becoming the youngest British person ever to reach both geographic poles.

David speaks with us about his experience dealing with isolation on expeditions; the importance of routine, maintaining a sense of purpose and appreciating the people and comforts we so often take for granted.