May 29, 2025

Innovation is at the heart of BCI’s approach to driving growth and delivering value to clients. BCI strives to be agile and forward-thinking in a rapidly evolving business environment, constantly exploring new and transformative ways of working to stay ahead in the industry.  

Earlier this year, we hosted a client education event that brought together clients, partners, and investment professionals, featuring a panel discussion on how various asset classes are incorporating innovation into their strategies. The panel featured insights from  

The panelists shared their experiences and strategies on how innovation is shaping their investment approaches and helping BCI stay ahead in the industry. Here are some highlights from the discussion: 

 

Q&A with the Panelists 

 

Jennifer Hartfield: Innovation at BCI is about doing something different to create value. It’s not just about using technology like AI, but also about fostering a mindset of thinking differently and encouraging calculated risk-taking to drive our innovation agenda forward. 

Person at BCi podium with audience and blue curtain backdrop

 

Q: How is the Public Markets team leveraging innovation? 

Adam Johal: In Public Markets, we’re focused on continuous innovation to ensure our investment professionals get the data they need quickly and efficiently to make investment decisions. For example, we’re using AI-powered tools like Bloomberg’s news prioritization and chart generation features. 

Person in suit speaking on stage with blue curtain backdrop.  

 

Q: Can you share a recent innovative investment approach from the Infrastructure & Renewable Resources team? 

Liane Groenendijk: One deal we executed was a sale-leaseback transaction with Rakuten for their mobile telecom towers. This structure provided us with stable lease payments and allowed Rakuten to invest in expanding its network. Additionally, we leveraged an in-house currency component to enhance returns, showcasing our ability to be creative and collaborative across BCI. 

 Two people talking on stage with blue curtain backdrop.

 

Q: How is the Private Equity team approaching innovation? 

Ashton Scordo: Our Private Equity team is deeply committed to innovation, demonstrated by how we are leveraging advanced AI to help us maximize efficiency and make informed investment decisions. By integrating AI into our workflows, we can process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, allowing us to stay ahead of industry trends and be more efficient in making investment decisions. This hands-on approach ensures that we understand the underlying technologies we invest in and maintain an edge over our peers. 

Two people on stage talking, audience in front.

 

Q: What are some of the challenges and opportunities with new technologies? 

Adam Johal: New technologies, particularly AI tools, offer significant advantages such as enhanced data processing and decision-making capabilities. However, they also present challenges, including ensuring data accuracy and avoiding hallucinations, which are instances where the system generates plausible but incorrect information. To mitigate these risks, we use vetted platforms, with traceable references, ensuring reliable data for our investment teams. 

 

Jennifer Hartfield: What differentiates innovation at BCI from other companies is our clear and consistent mission to drive returns in our client portfolios and operate as a cost-effective investment manager. This mission anchors our innovation efforts, ensuring that every new idea and technology we adopt is purpose-driven and aligned with our core objectives and values. By leveraging our internal capabilities and encouraging cross-departmental teamwork, we innovate with purpose, creating meaningful value and delivering on our commitment to our clients.