Insurers' Forum Reimagines Investment Dialogue with LP-First Model

PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 28, 2026 – As insurance investors navigate an intricate landscape of economic shifts and market volatility, a unique gathering in Philadelphia is positioning itself as a vital resource not for its size, but for its structure. InsuranceAUM.com has announced the return of its Insurers’ Real Assets Forum for March 18–19, 2026, an event that deliberately eschews the traditional conference model in favor of what it calls deep, “agenda-free” discussions focused squarely on real estate and infrastructure.

Now in its second year, the forum is built on a foundational principle: prioritizing conversations among Limited Partners (LPs), the insurance investors themselves. By engineering an environment with a high LP-to-General Partner (GP) ratio, the event aims to foster a level of candid exchange and strategic problem-solving that is often diluted in more commercially driven settings. This LP-first philosophy is emerging as a powerful draw for an industry seeking authentic insights over sales pitches.

A New Model for Investment Dialogue

The core differentiator of the Insurers’ Real Assets Forum lies in its commitment to what founder Stewart Foley calls an event “created by LPs for LPs.” The inaugural 2025 forum established this precedent with a reported 2:1 LP-to-GP ratio, a metric that organizers are keen to maintain. This structure fundamentally alters the dynamic of the room, shifting the focus from presentations by asset managers to collaborative discussions among peers grappling with similar challenges.

“Last year’s event was truly special and the energy in the room was incredible,” said Stewart Foley, Founder and Senior Advisor at InsuranceAUM.com. “This is a highly focused gathering...to help sharpen your thinking, exchange real-world insights, and engage directly with peers who are navigating the same challenges.”

This approach stands in contrast to a crowded field of industry conferences that often revolve around broad agendas and sponsored content. The forum’s model includes new formats for 2026, such as CIO-focused roundtables and private, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings, all designed to maximize the value of attendees' time. By stripping away the formal agenda, the event empowers participants to steer conversations toward the most pressing issues, whether it's navigating interest rate uncertainty or identifying undervalued opportunities in specific sub-sectors. The inclusion of live performances by local Philadelphia musicians further underscores the event's emphasis on creating a relaxed, collegial atmosphere conducive to building genuine relationships.

Real Assets as a Strategic Anchor in Volatile Times

The forum's tight focus on real estate and infrastructure could not be more timely. Insurers, with their long-duration liabilities, have always relied on real assets for stable, long-term returns. However, the current economic climate—marked by persistent inflation, capital market fluctuations, and structural shifts—has made strategic allocation within these asset classes more critical than ever.

Industry analysis shows insurers are continuing their pivot toward private markets to capture yield and diversification benefits. Infrastructure, in particular, is drawing significant interest, fueled by massive capital demands from the global energy transition, climate resilience projects, and the build-out required for generative AI. These long-dated assets are a natural fit for insurers’ patient capital. Simultaneously, the commercial real estate sector is undergoing a period of intense reassessment. While challenges in certain areas persist, astute investors are finding opportunities, particularly in commercial real estate debt, where yields have become more attractive. The forum provides a crucial venue for leaders to debate these nuances and refine their strategies away from the public eye.

Evolving regulations, such as the EU's Solvency II revisions and the UK's PRA updates to the Matching Adjustment framework, are also reshaping the investment landscape by potentially lowering capital charges for certain infrastructure and long-term equity exposures. Navigating these complex changes requires the kind of deep, specialized dialogue the Philadelphia forum is designed to facilitate. The event will be guided by co-chairpersons James Overpeck, Vice President of Investments at The Hanover Insurance Group, and Siddharth Chakravarty, Director of Investments at Coaction Global, whose practical expertise ensures discussions remain grounded in the real-world challenges facing insurance portfolios.

Building the Bench for a Complex Future

Beyond the immediate strategic concerns, the Insurers’ Real Assets Forum is also addressing a critical long-term industry need: talent development. Organizers are actively encouraging senior investment leaders to bring junior and early-career team members, positioning the event as a unique educational and networking platform for the next generation of insurance investors.

This initiative tackles the growing challenge of succession planning and knowledge transfer in the highly specialized domain of real assets. For rising professionals, the forum offers an invaluable opportunity to move beyond theoretical knowledge and learn directly from seasoned leaders. Engaging in high-level conversations, observing how senior executives dissect complex problems, and participating in curated one-on-one meetings can significantly accelerate a young professional’s confidence and competence.

By fostering an environment where learning is as important as networking, the forum is helping to build a more robust talent pipeline for the entire industry. This focus on mentorship and professional development ensures that the expertise required to manage these critical asset classes is cultivated and passed down, strengthening the resilience of insurance investment teams for years to come.

A Strategic Partnership for Industry Education

The forum's mission is further amplified by the strategic vision of its parent organization. The Institutes, a non-profit education and research body, acquired InsuranceAUM.com in October 2025, aligning the platform's niche investment focus with The Institutes' broader mission to educate and connect professionals across the risk and insurance sectors. This partnership lends significant credibility and resources to InsuranceAUM.com's events and educational initiatives.

The collaboration is already bearing fruit, with plans underway for a new Chartered Insurance Investment Manager (CIIM) designation. This program aims to formalize the educational pathway for insurance asset management, creating a new standard of excellence in the field. The Insurers' Real Assets Forum, therefore, is not a standalone event but a key component of a larger ecosystem dedicated to elevating the knowledge and capabilities of insurance investment professionals. For attendees, this means participating in an event backed by a deep, long-term commitment to the industry's growth and professionalization.