In this episode of The Allocation Agenda, host Steve MacDonald sits down with Pradeep Tekkey, Chief Data Officer at Harbor Capital Advisors, to explore how data is transforming the investment management industry — and why firms that overlook it do so at their own peril.

From growing up in the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands without a television to leading Harbor’s Data Intelligence Center of Excellence, Pradeep’s journey is a masterclass in adaptability, innovation, and strategic vision.

He shares how Harbor Capital is:

• Re-engineering business processes to remove inefficiencies
• Using data lineage and cataloging to improve transparency and decision-making
• Balancing efficiency gains with competitive differentiation
• Building resilience and trust through robust risk and access controls
• Embedding a nimble, 18-month tech roadmap mindset instead of long, rigid strategies
• You’ll hear how Pradeep views data not just as information, but as the lifeblood of active management — essential for delivering insight, efficiency, and performance in a world of fee pressures and fast-moving technology.

The Allocation Agenda with Jason Windt

Guest: Jason Windt, Director of Operational Due Diligence, Impact and Private Equity at M&G Investments

Host: Steve MacDonald

In this episode of The Allocation Agenda, Steve MacDonald sits down with Jason Windt, a leader in operational due diligence at M&G Investments, to explore how data is transforming the investment management industry.

Jason shares his journey from semi-pro cricket in South Africa to leading operational risk management across 500+ funds with just a team of three. He unpacks how digital tools, data integration, and automation are reshaping the way allocators monitor risk, manage compliance, and scale their operations—without increasing headcount.

You’ll hear:

• Why digitizing operational workflows is critical for scale and efficiency

• How real-time data access enabled M&G to navigate the US regional banking crisis

• The power of automated DDQs and benchmark dashboards for better fund manager engagement

• Use cases of AI, from legal reviews to ongoing risk monitoring

• The importance of cross-system integration for a unified view of risk and opportunity

Jason also discusses the evolving role of AI in operational due diligence and why governance is as crucial as innovation. His advice? Embrace digital adoption and data transparency to unlock smarter decision-making and build more resilient investment portfolios.

In this episode of The Allocation Agenda, we sit down with Matthew Burrows, Director of Investment Relations and Marketing at Frostrow Capital LLP, to explore the role of the intermediary in allocator–manager relationships. With a background in discretionary portfolio management, and now working as the 'middleman' between allocators and fund managers, Burrows offers a unique perspective on how to build trust and alignment between two distinct sides of the investment landscape.

He challenges the short-termism often imposed on fund managers, and argues that real conversations should be enabled, not replaced, by technology. From reconciling mismatched timelines to reducing friction through clearer communication, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to strengthen relationships in a fast-moving, data-saturated industry.