BlackRock Pension Board Academy

An executive insights series for pension fund board members

Building on a proven and successful format from the Netherlands, the Academy will be launched in the Nordic region in 2026. It is a senior‑level forum designed for board members and trustees of Nordic pension funds, combining expert insights with peer exchange in an interactive setting.

The Academy aims to support board‑level decision‑making by offering perspectives on key themes that are increasingly relevant for long‑term governance, investment strategy, and risk oversight in a complex and rapidly evolving global environment.

About the Program

The BlackRock Pension Board Academy consists of three in‑person lunch meetings spread across the year. Each session focuses on a theme that is central to the responsibilities of a modern pension fund board.

There is no need to enrol for the series; simply sign up for the specific meetings that are of interest to you. The number of participants is limited to a smaller group.

Topics in 2026 will include:

01 Macroeconomic developments, financial markets and geopolitics – Q2 2026
Session on how macroeconomic developments, geopolitical fragmentation, and structural trends can impact the investment landscape and long‑term portfolio outcomes.

02 Sustainability & long-term transition themes - Q3 2026
Deep dive into the transition to a low‑carbon economy, focusing on how structural changes can shape risks and opportunities for institutional investors.

03 AI in operations and investments - Q4 2026
An introduction to AI as a tool within operations and investment processes, with a focus on its application in operational efficiencies as well as systematic investing.

First Session - 21 May, 2026

Welcome to our BlackRock office at Jakobsbergsgatan 13 in Stockholm on Thursday, 21 May, from 11:30–13:00, for the first lunch presentation in the series.

The current macro situation and geopolitical risks
- what does it mean for investors?

During the first session, we will focus on three core themes that together influence the operating environment for pension funds:

The New Macro Regime
• How inflation, interest rates, and policy have structurally changed 
• Possible implications for returns, volatility, and diversification

Geopolitical Fragmentation
• Increasing fragmentation in a globalised world 
• What this means for growth, inflation, and financial markets

Harnessing Structural Trends in Portfolios
Key long-term investment themes shaping portfolios 
Building resilience in a more uncertain, multi-scenario world

Our Speakers

Roelof Salomons
BlackRock Investment Institute.
Roelof Salomons is Chief Investment Strategist for Northern Europe at BlackRock Investment Institute. Based in Amsterdam, he advises clients on macroeconomics, markets and portfolio construction, and represents BlackRock to clients and media across the Nordics and the Netherlands. He holds a PhD in Economics and is a CFA charter holder.
Dr Faerlie Wilson
Geopolitical Strategy, BlackRock
Dr Faerlie Wilson is a member of BlackRock’s GPS EMEA Investment Strategy team in London, specialising in geopolitical strategy. With a background spanning journalism and academia, she is passionate about making complex global issues clear, engaging and accessible, and holds a doctorate in War Studies from King’s College London with a focus on poli

Stay Informed

If you are unable to attend on this date but would like to stay informed about upcoming sessions of the BlackRock Academy, please sign up below. We will notify you as soon as new dates become available.

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