In contrast to February’s sunny brightness, March was four weeks of dripping umbrellas and wet shoes. It also rained articles! I had two pieces published for Professional Wealth Management – one looking at how data and regulation will make impact investing more mainstream and another looking at how to invest in cities of the future. And two features for Sustainable Investment. The first looks at how auto-enrolled pension schemes can integrate sustainable investment concepts into their passive holdings while the second examines how alternative assets can bolster sustainability. My latest Professional Pensions story looked at LCP’s new responsible investing philosophy. The most recent MandateWire piece talked about the need for pension schemes to get grips with their impact on biodiversity ahead of the launch of the TNFD. I also held my latest networking event where we debated the democratisation of DC. Get in touch if you would like to attend the next one!
Impact investors embrace the data revolution
My first article published in Professional Wealth Management magazine looked at how regulation and data will help to make impact investing more mainstream. The piece looks at how these developments can help to make it easier for investors in liquid securities to create positive change which has, up to now, been easier to achieve in private markets.
Building the sustainable cities of the future
It’s exciting to write about a new and unfamiliar topic. Learning new things feels so satisfying. But there is that terrible moment when you must turn all that in a coherent piece! That happened to me when I was writing this piece about building the sustainable cities of the future for Professional Wealth Management. Luckily, I was able to corral the commentary into four key areas – sustainable buildings, localised utilities, greener transportation and managing water.
How can trustees integrate ESG into passive mandates?
My second feature for Sustainable Investment looked at how auto-enrolled pension schemes can integrate sustainable investment concepts into their significant passive equity holdings. As investors in global equities, these workplace pension schemes have an important role to play in greening the whole economy. This requires a targeted policy plan, a strong engagement strategy and the willingness to collaborate to achieve real change.
The sustainable benefits of private markets
This article looks at how alternative assets can help pension schemes not only diversify the portfolio and provide long-term returns but also offer different sustainable benefits to listed securities. But these benefits vary across real estate, infrastructure, private debt and equity as well as how pension schemes access these assets. In the aftermath of last year’s LDI crisis, it looks like auto-enrolled pension schemes will be driving capital flows into the asset classes – once liquidity issues and the higher costs of these investments have been overcome.
Pension funds urged to start biodiversity talks ahead of TNFD framework launch
This feature for MandateWire talks about the need for pension schemes to start thinking about the impact on biodiversity of their investment decisions ahead of the TNFD framework launch. This will not be a straight-forward task and will require schemes to think about how they invest and engage with companies.
LCP sets out new RI policy focusing on engagement and action
My latest story for Professional Pensions explains LCP’s new responsible investment policy with a greater focus on engagement. The investment consultant argues it is time to build on policy and start having in-depth conversations with managers in recognition of the systemic risk in investors’ portfolios. LCP also underlined all pension schemes should act across all their assets − engagement is not just for equities!
Networking events
There was an additional element of excitement at this month’s networking event – attendees needed to brave a raucous group in the bar downstairs in order to listen to the discussion about the democratisation of DC pensions. My panellists – Georgia Stewart and Lindsey Stewart – were passionate and insightful about how both asset owners and scheme members could better use their voting rights to achieve positive change. And the audience also asked great questions! The next event will take place on Wednesday, 17th May so get in touch if you would like to attend.
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