George Walker - Chairman & CEO, Neuberger Berman

The discussion begins with a warm welcome and an expression of optimism about the current economic climate in the US, despite some geopolitical and policy uncertainties. George shares their experience in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the exciting changes and optimism in the region. He mentions plans to establish a regional headquarters in Riyadh and discuss their investment focus, which includes public equities, fixed income, and private credit. The conversation touches on the importance of investment with purpose, particularly in terms of sustainability and delivering tangible benefits for clients. George acknowledges the challenges of long-term investments in a rapidly changing world and emphasizes the need to filter out noise to focus on growth, inflation, and trade implications. They express curiosity about the US administration's efforts to reduce deficits and the impact of tariffs on global trade. The discussion concludes with a cautious optimism, hoping for further developments to solidify confidence.