Today, we return to the subject of investing in commodities, this time from an equities angle. How has the sector performed over the last couple of decades, and how much diversification does it offer? How do you analyse and discover value in the sector? And are investors returning, and how best to navigate investing in such a rapidly evolving sector?
Speaking to our host Paul Chapman on this episode is Matt Zabloski, founder and chief investment officer of Delbrook Capital Advisors, a Vancouver-based fund manager, focused on alternative investment strategies in the metals and mining sector. Matt has had a long career investing in energy and natural resources, including as a portfolio manager with Fidelity.
Read below for our key talent impacts from this episode.
Key Talent Impacts
Is your commercial team built to handle today’s volatility?
Increased volatility and margin pressure mean companies need talent that can manage price exposure without limiting upside. The most forward-thinking producers are investing in in-house trading desks and hedging capabilities, and attracting individuals with strong analytical, financial, and market-facing skills to support them.
Are generalists limiting your edge in commodity investing?
As the sector rebounds, there’s a renewed premium on deep, domain-specific expertise, particularly in mining and energy equities. Firms that successfully rebuild internal capability — through hiring or upskilling — will be best placed to navigate complexity and outperform in a cyclical market.
Who on your team truly understands political risk?
With reserves increasingly located in higher-risk jurisdictions, the ability to evaluate regulatory, sovereign, and ESG exposure is critical. The most competitive teams are bringing in talent with regional insight, policy fluency, and stakeholder agility to make smarter investment decisions.
Do you have the talent to lead in rare earth processing?
Governments want secure, local supply chains — but few companies have the technical depth or regulatory experience to build them. Leaders in this space are hiring specialists in chemical engineering, metallurgy, and environmental compliance, with a focus on scalable, low-impact solutions.
Are your teams built for complexity?
Success in today’s market depends on talent that can connect the dots between geopolitical, macroeconomic, and operational factors — not just execute within a single function. Companies that invest in multidisciplinary teams are far better positioned to respond to risk, uncover value, and lead through disruption.
HC Group is a global search firm dedicated to the energy and commodities markets.
Learn more about our Financial Services Talent Practice
Explore the full HC Commodities Podcast archive