The fourth episode of Gamma Explains is about how to build a financial portfolio – the collection of various financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cash, and other investments, all held together by an individual, institution, or investment firm to meet specific financial goals.
Understanding how to build a financial portfolio is important because it helps individuals and organizations manage their investments effectively, balance risk and return, and work towards their financial goals. Overall, this knowledge empowers better financial decision-making and long-term security.
Against this backdrop, Andrea Beltratti, Chairman of the EFG Gamma Foundation and Full Professor at Bocconi University, and Hilary Wakefield, Head of Portfolio Management UK at EFG Asset Management, explain what a financial portfolio is – outlining the importance of diversification and personalisation. They also discuss which are the key factors to consider when building a portfolio, the traditional 60/40 correlation and which are the safer or riskier asset classes in different market situations.
Andrea Beltratti
Andrea Beltratti is Full Professor in the Department of Finance at Bocconi University, Academic Director of the Executive Master in Finance – EMF at SDA Bocconi School of Management, Chairman of Revo Insurance and Chairman of the EFG Gamma Foundation.
He had been Chairman of Eurizon Capital until 2024 and of the Management Board of Intesa Sanpaolo until May 2013.
Andrea has a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University, where he wrote a dissertation on financial market volatility under the supervision of Prof. Robert Shiller.
He has been member of the Board of Directors of EFAMA (European Fund and Asset Management Association), President of the FEDUF (Fondazione per Educazione Finanziaria), and part of Investment Committees of institutional investors.
Hilary Wakefield
Hilary is the Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management (UK) and a multi-asset portfolio manager. He joined EFGAM in 1999 and, as one of EFGAM’s first portfolio managers, developed the Global Alpha managed account investment strategy, which has been at the forefront of the multi asset class targeted returns revolution. He joined EFGAM from Old Mutual Asset Management, where he oversaw global equity unit trusts and UK balanced pension and managed funds, as well as serving as head of emerging markets. Hilary has over 35 years experience in the investment management industry having worked also at Schroders, Flemings and Lloyds Bank International.
Hilary has a MA in history from the University of Edinburgh and subsequently became an Associate of the Society of Investment Professionals (ASIP) and a member of UK CFA.
