July is usually the month when corporate events wind down in the run up to the school holidays. Not this year. The fast pace of social activity continued as the temperatures cranked up. This month I enjoyed a fun, but somewhat sweaty, Headline Money Awards as well as a fabulous evening on a City rooftop bar. The heatwave at the start of this week necessitated both internal air-conditioning – in the form of ice lollies – and external cooling in the form a mobile air-conditioning unit. Despite the warmth, I made a video asking if people are confused by sustainable investing because they think it’s about values when it’s actually all about risk. Two recent articles for MandateWire were published – one examining changing attitudes to defence spending and the other looking at what policies asset managers need to improve inclusion. The next networking event takes place on 21st September so get in touch if you would like to attend. Do your clients think you are greenwasher? Take this quiz to find out.
Sustainable investing is about risk not values
There are advantages to spending a bit too much time on Twitter. You get a feeling for how people outside of financial services think about what we do. Social media commentators often criticise sustainable investors for imposing their values on companies. It’s easy to understand why you might think that when you see asset managers campaigning to make boards more diverse or for companies to improve their environmental credentials. Watch my video to learn why asset managers are really motivated by risk rather than values and why we should do more to explain this.
Why defence stocks are no longer shunned by responsible investors
My latest article for MandateWire discusses how the war in Ukraine led to a revival in defence stocks. With many nations promising to spend more on protection, this sector looks set for a brighter future. That will benefit those asset owners with exposure to the sector through either passive or active equity mandates. Engaging with these companies to improve corporate culture will, however, remain difficult because so much policy is dictated by national governments.
Asset managers urged to take steps now to increase cognitive diversity
For diversity and inclusion to be more than a box-ticking exercise, asset managers need to be committed to creating cognitive diversity. This piece for MandateWire explains this is a far from straightforward process as it involves developing long-term policies to attract candidates who have not traditionally seen the financial services industry as a place for them.
Avoid being labelled a greenwasher
Credibility is vital to building trust with potential and current clients. That’s true for any asset manager but especially important for those who want to be perceived as a best-in-class sustainable investment manager. To avoid being labelled a greenwasher you need a clear purpose and a way to communicate that vision. I created this quiz to identify your current sustainable investment strengths and weaknesses. It helps you to improve so you can stay ahead of your competitors. Curious? Then take the test! It’s only 15 questions and takes only three minutes.
Latest networking events
You can head off on summer holidays happy in the knowledge you will have not one but two networking events to look forward to later this year! The first will take place on Wednesday, 21st September and the second on Wednesday, 9th November. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.
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