In this interview, Charles Jillings, who along with Jacqueline Broers manages Utilico Emerging Markets (UEM), which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary, discusses why he thinks global investors should consider an allocation to emerging markets. He also highlights that a continuation of long-term growth trends, such as urbanisation, contributed to strong emerging markets performance in 2025. Jillings then focuses on what UEM offers investors in terms of exposure to utility and infrastructure assets, which are high-conviction, quality businesses with strong management teams. More than 80% of UEM’s portfolio companies pay a dividend, which enables the trust to pay its own shareholders a rising covered dividend. UEM has just become an AIC next-generation dividend hero as it has achieved a 10-year record of consecutive dividend increases.