Neil Forrest
Profile

Job title
Director of Global Transformation
Joined Aviva Investors
2015
Biography
Main responsibilities
Based in London, Neil leads the global Transformation and Market Data functions at Aviva Investors. As such, he is accountable for the execution of strategic developments that support our clients and differentiates us in the marketplace as well as the implementation of regulations in our various locations. Additionally, Neil is responsible for our CAO function in the US and Canada.
Experience and qualifications
Neil was previously a Managing Director at JPMorgan Corporate and Investment Bank, where he was the Global Head of Product Development for Fund Services. Based in New York, Neil led a team of 200 people throughout Europe, Asia and the US in delivering $100m+ of product developments annually. Previous roles at JPMorgan included heading product management for Fund Accounting, Transfer Agency and Hedge Fund Services where his focus was on building strategies to grow these businesses through product innovation and winning new clients as well as managing costs.
Prior to JPMorgan, Neil was on the Executive Committee at First Data Investor Services Group (now BNY Mellon) where he oversaw acquisitions, managed accounting operations and ran relationship management for more than 50 clients. Neil started in the industry with M&T Bank, where he created one of the first bank proprietary mutual fund complexes in the United States.
Neil holds a B.S. from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from the University at Buffalo. He is married with four children, and he and his family have lived in Luxembourg, the UK and the US.
You might also be interested in

Multi-asset allocation views: Loose policy doesn’t rule out a steeper curve
15 Apr 2021
While inflation is expected to rise after last year’s lows, it will likely be transitory. Sunil Krishnan explores what this means for the economy, yield curves and equity markets.
Read more

Divergence, debt sustainability and climate: Key takeaways from the IMF Spring meetings
14 Apr 2021
Debate over the short- and longer-term consequences of COVID-19 dominated the Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund, with our emerging-market debt team among those following discussions closely.
Read more

Concentrate! How to benefit from specialisation and diversification in real estate
14 Apr 2021
Too much emphasis on geographic and sector diversification within real estate portfolios can hinder alpha generation. More focus on lease length, asset quality and other factors is a preferred means of reducing specific risks whilst allowing specialisation, argues Tim Perry.
Read more

Joana Setzer Q&A: On the climate litigation front line
9 Apr 2021
Joana Setzer from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change at LSE discusses the implications on governments and companies of the growing wave of climate litigation.
Read more

Law and climate disorder: Understanding physical, transition and litigation risk
9 Apr 2021
Major listed companies are finding themselves the target of legal action designed to make them move faster towards a lower carbon world. These cases could mark an inflection point; when the conversation turns toward specific responsibilities to move away from fossil fuels rather than broad commitments to change.
Read more

Living in the past: Why are controversy scores so controversial?
8 Apr 2021
Many investors use controversy scores as a filter to avoid firms whose damaging behaviour has hit the headlines, from human rights violations to environmental disasters. But these scores have serious limitations, making them an inadequate tool for investors who want to manage ESG risks and have a positive impact.
Read more

Five charts that show Copenhagen is a city of the future
7 Apr 2021
We take a visual approach to highlight why Copenhagen is such a rich, vibrant and economically prosperous city.
Read more

What does the data say? Vaccines, illiquidity and managers called Dave
26 Mar 2021
In the first of a new monthly series, we take a visual approach to illustrate topical data themes in economies, markets and beyond. This month we look at the correlation between stock market performance and vaccinations, the illiquidity premium in real assets, and whether there are still more men called Dave running funds than female managers.
Read more

Lean on me: How can bond investors influence government climate action?
25 Mar 2021
The coronavirus epidemic has further accelerated the rise of ESG into the investment mainstream. As deficits skyrocket, bond investors have an opportunity to engage with governments on climate change, argues Thomas Dillon.
Read more

Deficits still matter… just not right now
22 Mar 2021
Deciding when to tighten the purse strings and hike taxes is complex at any time, even more so when the economic fallout from COVID-19 remains unclear. Getting deficits under control will need to happen eventually, but it would be a brave government to pursue that goal in the short term.
Read more

Why it is getting harder to assess value in financial markets
19 Mar 2021
Massive intervention by central banks and governments in recent years has left investors struggling to value financial assets.
Read more

Levelling up: How COVID-19 is accelerating a digital revolution in construction and manufacturing
18 Mar 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has spurred companies to upgrade their digital capabilities, boosting productivity and creating investment opportunities in previously overlooked niches.
Read more

Building a better world after COVID-19
18 Mar 2021
There is a growing consensus among companies, governments and electorates across the globe that the world after the pandemic should be greener. But how should we go about this?
Read more

Podcast: A clear green premium
18 Mar 2021
Our Head of ESG, Ed Dixon, recently joined Blackstock Consulting on a PropCast episode to launch their new series of ESG insights with industry leaders. Together, they discussed how the government needs to be partnering with businesses to reach their climate pledges, how the “green premium” is yielding higher rents for eco-friendly offices, and much more.
Read more

Cut it out! The complex quest to decarbonise heating
16 Mar 2021
More countries are contemplating their visions for a lower carbon world. Norway has excluded fossil fuels entirely for heating buildings, while others are taking a more nuanced approach. So, what are the options for those with environment at the heart of their agenda?
Read more

Is ‘purpose’ the new green? Pandemic exposes leaders and laggards in stakeholder capitalism
11 Mar 2021
In 2019, some of the world’s biggest companies pledged to look beyond short-term shareholder value and protect the interests of all stakeholders. The coronavirus pandemic has put these commitments to the test, says Mirza Baig.
Read more