Matt Brennan
Matthew is the Head of Asset Allocation & Research at Scottish Widows. In this role, Matthew is responsible for setting the strategic asset allocation across Scottish Widows' multi-asset solutions. Through thought-leadership in asset allocation research, his team continuously develops and refines the company's approach to ensure optimal investment strategies.
Prior to this, Matthew served as Executive Director, Investment Oversight at Valu-Trac, an independent ACD. He also held significant roles at AJ Bell, including Head of Investment Management and Head of Passive Investments. His extensive experience spans private banking, hedge funds, and data analytics. Matthew graduated in 2011 with a first-class Maths degree and is a CFA charterholder.
Shorter-term market outlook: Q2 2026
Though we manage funds for the long term, here are our thoughts on markets as we look forward over the...
Bonds aren’t what they used to be. Or are they?
Bonds have traditionally been a source of defensiveness, predictable income flow, portfolio diversification, and some capital appreciation for conventional well-balanced...
Political headlines and client portfolios
UK politics is back in the spotlight following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader and UK...
Emerging EMEA: the overlooked diversifier?
Global equity investing has become increasingly concentrated in recent years, with the strength of US markets – particularly large-cap technology...
Watch this Space: An IPO for the ages?
In the wake of the SpaceX IPO (initial public offering) in June – the biggest in history – Matt Brennan,...
Energy and inflation
In this article, Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation, considers the different types of inflation and the influence of energy...
Why AI-related companies are driving equity markets
Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved rapidly from a niche technology theme to a material driver of equity market performance. In...
Market volatility in the wake of conflict in the Middle East
We’ve seen market fluctuations on the back of unfolding news in the Middle East, we believe it is important for...
2026 Outlook: Keeping a weather eye upon markets
Sunny skies or cloudy with a chance of rain? Matt Brennan, Head of Asset Allocation at Scottish Widows, considers some...
India and China: An emerging market dichotomy?
India and China dominate emerging markets, but their investment profiles differ sharply. Explore what drives performance and the long-term outlook...
Another day, another dollar: US dollar dominance?
The US dollar remains dominant as the primary global reserve and trade currency, underpinning financial stability and US Treasury demand....
Staying the course: why CMAs matter in volatile markets
Capital market assumptions help investors stay focused on long-term strategy, offering stability and insight amid market volatility.
Asset correlation and inflation: Is hedging the answer?
In the UK, we’ve had a step up in inflation in recent months and there are arguably several issues that...
Our asset allocation approach
Learn how Scottish Widows’ Asset Allocation Team builds resilient, customer-focused portfolios using data-driven insights, diversification, and a future-ready investment framework...
Emerging markets: Into the spotlight?
Despite recent challenges, emerging markets offer strong long-term growth, favourable demographics, and diversification potential for investors seeking global exposure.
At what price?
Inflation has moved back into the spotlight following the wide-ranging trade tariffs from Donald Trump’s US government.