Investing in Alternative Asset Classes - a Warwick Finance Network event at The Shard

Our first Finance Network event of 2018 will focus on alternative asset classes: using fine art and wine as investment tools to potentially outperform traditional asset classes. Although sometimes seen as more risky than traditional investment in stocks and real estate, in terms of the world market, these alternative assets have remained fairly stable (and even experienced growth) despite a global economic downturn.

We are delighted to welcome a fantastic panel of speakers from Christie's, Hiscox, Vins Extraordinaires and Treasury Wine Estates. Our panel will share their thoughts and experiences, and perhaps encourage you to consider these alternative assets for your next investment decision!

Agenda

18:00 Arrival, registration and welcome drinks
18:30 Presentations and Q&A
19:45 Networking over drinks and light snacks
20:30 Event closes

Speakers

Sarab Birdi, European Financial Controller at Treasury Wine Estates

Sarab has been with Treasury Wine Estates, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, since 2015. His previous positions have sat across a number a of industries, with a strong focus on luxury goods.

Sarab has been Head of Finance at T. M. Lewin, Financial Controller at dunnhumby, and Europe Middle East Finance Manager at Burberry.

Sarab is an ACCA chartered finance professional, having qualified in 2000. He graduated from the Warwick MBA in 2007.

Giovanni Gasparini, MSc Art, Law & Business Director at Christie’s Education
Giovanni is the programme Director for the MSc in Art, Law and Business. He has extensive knowledge of global art markets, recently contributing to The Italian Art and Its Markets Conference, held at Christie’s in October 2017.

Before joining the art world, he worked for more than 10 years as an analyst and consultant on international affairs and aerospace businesses.

Giovanni is a regular contributor of reports and commentary on the international art market for ArtEconomy24, a specialized section of Il Sole 24 Ore, the leading Italian financial paper.

Stuart George, Founder & Managing Director, Vins Extraordinaires
After reading English and European Literature at the University of Warwick, Stuart founded Vins Extraordinaires in 2016 to enable fine and rare wines to be enjoyed by private and corporate clients.

A holder of the prestigious Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma in Wine and Spirits since 2000, Stuart was UK Young Wine Writer of the Year in 2003. Stuart worked at The World of Fine Wine magazine, which won several awards during his time there, and also contributed to the best-selling 1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die.

Stuart has been the sole UK representative at the Shanghai International Wine Challenge; the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Chile; the Austrian Wine Challenge; and the 21st Concorso Enologico Internazionale in Italy.

Whitney Hintz, Art Curator at Hiscox UK and Ireland
Whitney is an independent advisor and curator of the Hiscox Collection, which comprises approximately 800 works on display across the company’s 30 offices in the UK, Europe and USA.

Whitney is a board member of the Crossrail Arts Programme and Sculpture in the City, an annual outdoor public sculpture exhibition. She consults for the Kenneth Armitage Foundation and also sits on the board of Platform Earth, an environmental initiative bringing together artists and scientists.

Whitney was previously Associate Director at Frith Street Gallery and has held development positions at the Whitechapel Gallery and Outset Contemporary Art Fund. She is a graduate of History of Art from Columbia University.

You are welcome to bring a guest to this event, but both your details and your guest's name and details must be registered in advance to guarantee entry. Please be prepared to be asked for photo ID. If you have any questions about this event, please email business@wbs.ac.uk