Shows
Castine ConversationsDoug Leo - Research Invoicing and CSAs at Raymond JamesIn this conversation we meet Doug Leo, the Head of Commission Management at Raymond James. Doug's leadership at Raymond James has helped them grow to be a major player in commission management. At the same time, Doug is very involved in the invoicing for the research that Raymond James creates. Hundreds of clients require invoices for the research they consume, and Doug has expanded his remit to cover that as well. Our conversation covers Doug's award winning childhood (!) and his work at different brokers focusing on commission management. We discuss his experience with research invoicing and...
2026-01-1544 minCastine ConversationsCastine's Team Discusses the Unbundling Uncovered CSA Conference in London - Key TakeawaysIn this conversation, several members of the Castine team discuss the key takeaways from the November 5, 2025 Unbundling Uncovered conference in London. Clive Riddle, Pedro Fernandes, Tom Smith, and Robin Hodgkins represent teams from our UK, EU, and USA groups and provide their insights on where the CSA market is headed in the United Kingdom as well as other points brought up in the conference. The opinions made are solely those of the Castine members and do not represent any specific participant at the conference. For more information on Castine, including our commission management, res...
2025-11-1430 minCastine ConversationsCaroline Bayman and Chris Newson - Where Asset Managers Stand With CSAsIn this conversation, Robin Hodgkins speaks with Caroline Bayman and Chris Newson of FGA Consulting Ltd, a UK-based consultancy that is working with brokers and their clients to help educate them on CSAs and to demostrate the benefits of CSAs to asset managers and their clients. Caroline's background includes many years in the commission management space working with both brokers and asset managers before becoming an entrepreneur in the real estate development world and, more recently, re-focusing on providing expertise to the buy- and sell-sides in front office operations, client strategy, and of course commission management.
2025-10-1952 minCastine ConversationsHester White - CSAs and Client Relationship Management as a Growth OpportunityIn this conversation, Robin Hodgkins speaks with Hester White, an expert in building client relationship teams and focusing broker attention on using CSAs and commission management to fuel growth. Her background at firms such as Nomura, Jefferies, and Peel Hunt establish her as a true leader in her field and one to pay attention to. Hester's experience covers everything from sales to corporate access and from managing CSA teams all the way to sitting on management committees. She brings a depth of expertise to the brokerage community that colleagues, clients, and even vendors can benefit from. ...
2025-09-0340 min
Science MoabDear Ovis...Volume 1This is a special episode of Science Moab. "Dear Ovis” is taken from a live radio show during a recent Radiothon at KZMU Moab. Host Jordan Lister and local scientist Robin Reibold answer hypothetical science questions from the fourth-grade class at HMK Elementary School in Moab. Robin, a biogeochemist with diverse expertise, addresses interesting scenarios such as what would happen if the Earth were split in half, the consequences if all toilets in Moab were flushed simultaneously, and the impacts on humans if we had no pores. It’s a fun show that blends scientific facts and insights with humor.
2025-01-2823 minCastine ConversationsCastine's Acquisition of ResearchPool - A Conversation with the Decision MakersIn this conversation, the decision makers on the ResearchPool and Castine teams talk about how this acquisition came to be. Pedro Fernandes, the CEO of ResearchPool, Tom Smith, Castine's EVP of Sales, and Robin Hodgkins, Castine's President discuss how the two companies came together, each of their business models, and how the combined solution will benefit the global market for research management, budgeting, and payment services using commission management / CSAs. ResearchPool's Research Management System's power comes from its ability to manage both internally originated research as well as research available on the ResearchPool broker research po...
2024-12-1834 minCastine ConversationsAaron Walter - Head of Research Management for Janus Henderson on UK Changes for CSAsIn this conversation, we meet Aaron Walter, the Head of Research Management at Janus Henderson, a global investment manager. With 30 years of experience in research and Commission Management, Aaron has witnessed significant changes in the regulatory landscape across the US, the UK, and globally.Our discussion delves into Aaron’s career at Janus Henderson and how regulatory shifts in commission management have influenced his perspective on research and the industry’s response. The recent release of the final PS24/9 report from the FCA, and the new option to return to CSAs in the UK, is a ver...
2024-09-2536 minCastine ConversationsJack Pollina - Head of Commission Management for Virtu on FCA's final report on rebundling/CSAsIn this conversation we meet Jack Pollina, the Head of Commission Management, Client Relationship Management, and Sales for Virtu Financial. Jack has been involved in commission management since his fortuitous job at Hoenig & Co. Working in CSAs has been the hallmark of Jack's career - other than running a bagel store - and he leverages that knowledge with his team and clients to help them navigate the complexities of 28(e) and similar regulations worldwide. Our conversation covers Jack's experience at Hoenig, Shearson Lehman, ITG, and now at Virtu; all leading to his being a true exp...
2024-08-2145 minCastine ConversationsNeil Scarth - Commission Rebundling in the UKIn this conversation we meet Neil Scarth, Founder and Principal of Frost Consulting.Neil Scarth has held a wide range of roles in asset management and investment banking in Europe and North America over the last 25 years, ranging from running equity businesses at global banks to launching and managing various asset management products. Neil has comprehensive knowledge of the strategic and competitive framework that governs the inter-relationships between plan sponsors, asset managers and investment banks.Frost Consulting, which was formed in 2007, focuses on commission management and unbundling. Frost's depth and breadth of experience helps their...
2023-09-1331 minCastine ConversationsStuart Howard - Global Head of Research Relationships at Invesco LtdIn this conversation we meet Stuart Howard, the Global Head of Research Relationships at Invesco Ltd. Stuart is responsible for managing the research relationships that Invesco uses to add value to the investment decisions that the firm and its team members make. As such, Stuart has a unique view of the research space, how it has evolved during covid, and where it is headed in 2023 and beyond. His background in auditing, analysis, client reporting and operations has led to where he is now, as has several of the key mentors that have helped direct and guide him.
2023-01-1847 minCastine ConversationsSarah Ahmed - Director of Corporate Access at Artisan PartnersIn this conversation we meet Sarah Ahmed, the Director of Corporate Access at Artisan Partners. Sarah Ahmed is a true leader in Corporate Access, learning at the side of wonderful mentors at Deutsche Bank and AB Bernstein, and now running Corporate Access for Artisan. Sarah's experiences in getting into the field of Corporate Access with a broker's perspective and then transitioning to the asset manager side are fascinating, as are her observations on how Corporate Access survived and changed during the Covid years. Sarah talks about what it takes to get into the business (on ei...
2022-09-2752 min