We live in a very competitive world. Particularly those of us who work in financial services, where everything revolves around money in some shape or form. And it feels like it is becoming increasingly so, as our definition of professional success (and worth) is often anchored on demonstrating “value” – whether that be via income generation or otherwise.
As a result, the idea of “industry collaboration”, by which I mean competitors or organisations with differing objectives all working together to achieve shared successes may seem utterly foreign to some, particularly to people in the loan market for a quick win.
But, for those of us not out to make as much money as possible, as quickly as possible, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that industry collaboration can yield results far in excess of what individual organisations can achieve all by themselves. It just takes a little faith, a sense of community, and an honest desire to see our market function better as a whole.
Traditionally, when we preach about the need for industry collaboration at the LMA, people expect us to be talking about our template documents, regulatory submissions or industry publications. And in that regard, it’s preaching to the converted.
But recently, I have begun to see the true value and importance of industry collaboration in something else we do: our events.
The LMA has always done events. But increasingly we have started to focus (at the direct request of our members, who have expressed frustration with the “pay to play” commercial drivers of other event providers) on what we like to call “flagship conferences”. These are events which are designed to bring together the entire industry en masse, whether that be lenders, investors, borrowers, issuers, regulators or advisors/service providers not only to network, but also to discuss the issues which really matter to the loan market and attempt to find solutions.
And the crucial difference is, the LMA, more than any other loan market organisation can do this in the most inclusive way possible. The best example I can give is a personal one – for the last few months I have been putting blood, sweat and tears into the organisation of a 1000+ loan and bond market Africa Summit in Cape Town in partnership (or perhaps I should say in collaboration) with the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). Its aim is a simple one: to host an event where the focus isn’t on making us as much money as possible, but giving as much of the industry the opportunity to attend, debate and above all, learn. Read more about the event here.
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. A full line up of platinum sponsors in the shape of ABSA, Nedbank, RMB and Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking. A strategic partnership with IFC, with more sponsors and partners to be announced in the coming weeks across the full breadth of the African market. And perhaps most importantly, senior stakeholders from over 50 individual organisations registered to attend as delegates in the first five days of launch.
So why is this event any different to the others? It comes back to my original point: industry collaboration. When the purpose of your event is to deliver purely what the industry wants (by which I mean a fully consulted agenda; speakers invited by recommendation, not as a sponsorship benefit; and pricing designed to attract as many market participants as possible (LMA and ICMA members are automatically allocated a number of free passes to attend)) the success of the event is almost a no-brainer.
Consequently, our event in Cape Town, as well as our other events being put together in early 2026 and beyond is industry collaboration at its finest. Something which everyone involved should be very proud of. Because the best thing about it? The whole market benefits.
If you would like further information about the Africa Summit, including speaker and sponsorship opportunities, please contact amelia.slocombe@lma.eu.com
