The Hive Mind: Year in Review 2025
2025 has been a transformative year for City Hive and ACT - a year of deepening our impact, expanding our Signatory community, elevating culture as a critical risk lens, and strengthening the governance tools available to the industry.
Thank you for your continued support, partnership and energy. Here’s a look back at what we built this year - and a teaser for what’s coming next.
ACT Signatory Base grows - and institutional momentum surges
This year we welcomed a record number of ACT Signatories. Check out the ACT List.
ACT Investment Trust Toolkit launched
The ACT Investment Trust Culture Toolkit was welcomed by the AIC and investment trust sector on its launch in September. It is aimed at Investment Trust boards looking to embed culture assessment into governance, with strong engagement from chairs, NEDs and company secretaries.
ACT Institutional Stewardship Council
We extended ACT’s governance footprint with the launch of the ACT Institutional Stewardship Council, convening senior leaders across institutional investment markets.
City Hive x Bank of England: A first-of-its-kind collaboration
The Bank of England partnered with City Hive on their “Meeting Varied People” initiative, creating a direct pathway for industry talent to engage with the Bank and explore opportunities to become part of its regular market-intelligence network.
Our first event, hosted by Fidelity International in November, was a promising start to what will be an ongoing programme into 2026.
Asset TV panel: The hidden factor shaping m&a success in asset management
ACT Stewardship Council members Kelly Prior, Andy Ford and Mona Christensen joined Asset TV to unpack how firms can assess, protect, and evolve culture through mergers and acquisitions - and what investors need to ask.
What do you create when you are building a business?
At our Investors ACT Conference 2025, held in partnership with RBC BlueBay Asset Management, we spoke to asset management leaders about the importance of cultural fit and making tough decisions, hiring the right people and maintaining a company heritage while keeping an eye on innovation.
Look out for more on M&A in 2026 - Sign up for updates here
Why culture is a systemic risk
Throughout the year we championed a growing industry conversation: culture isn’t a soft topic - it’s a measurable, material risk factor that impacts performance, governance, client outcomes and resilience.
Culture as a risk lens: Evolving the art and science of fund research
In a world where black swan events are inevitable, the biggest differentiator – and risk mitigator – is culture.
ACT Signatory Journey: We welcome investor interest in our culture
A conversation with Jill Barber, chief distribution officer at Aviva Investors, on the ‘natural step’ to become an ACT Signatory, the increasingly frequent questions on culture clients are asking and the projects that are supporting recruitment and talent retention.
The hidden culture risk in private markets
Some characteristics of private markets - such as long lock-in periods, illiquidity and complex structures - heighten the importance of understanding the culture.
ACT Academy: A Year of Learning and Leadership
This year the ACT Academy expanded with new learning pathways, including sessions on:
Mentoring for modern careers
AI and culture
Neurodiversity and inclusive leadership
Stewardship and responsible governance
ACT Stewardship Council recognised at Fund Manager of the Year Awards 2025
In June, the ACT Stewardship Council was honoured at Investment Week’s prestigious Fund Manager of the Year Awards.
They were presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion in the Investment Industry.
Thank you for being part of our Hive
2025 has shown what this industry can achieve when we work collectively, boldly and with culture at the heart of our decision-making. We can’t wait to build on this momentum with you in 2026.
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