This November marked the third anniversary of my sustainable networking events. To mark the occasion, we captured the latest discussion of how to make fixed income sustainable with some photos. The pictures show how comfortable I have become, mic in hand, on the tiny stage at the Betsey Trotwood. I swapped the stage for my webcam in two latest episodes of The Professional Investment Podcast. In the first, I took a tour of Nest’s UK private asset portfolio with the CEO of Nest Invest, Mark Fawcett. In the second, Border to Coast’s head of responsible investment, Tim Manuel, discussed the impact of Trump’s election on the politicisation of sustainable investing. Two new episodes of the Pensions for Purpose podcast also dropped. In the first we discussed how diversity and inclusion factors help managers select more sustainable companies and in the second we talked about why asset owners should do more to influence policy makers. My latest article for Professional Pensions looks at whether run-on is becoming a more attractive option. There are two exciting events coming up in January – a complimentary one to help you to master the spotlight and the latest sustainable networking event where we will be discussing the impact of consolidation on schemes’ ability to invest sustainably. Get in touch if you would like to attend!
How to make fixed income sustainable
The latest sustainable networking event at the Betsey Trotwood discussed how to make fixed income sustainable. We had a great audience – who was kind enough to laugh at my jokes – and asked excellent questions of our panellists. Those panellists – Ashish Dafria, Rima Sen and Jennifer O’Neill – shared their knowledge of a technical subject with insight and humour. It was wide-ranging chat encompassing the different approaches to fixed income taken by different institutional asset owners, and included a discussion about whether we can do more to make LDI a sustainable asset class.
A tour of Nest’s UK private assets
In the sixth episode of The Professional Investment Podcast Mark Fawcett, CEO of Nest Invest, explains why a story about the new Lord Mayor pushing pension schemes to invest in London-listed companies was his news story of the week. This led us to discuss how Nest invests in UK private assets which includes private equity, offshore wind farms and other infrastructure as well as build-to-rent. We also talked about Nest’s timber investments in North America and how the master trust is thinking about further expanding its investment universe.
Trump’s fracking executive pick for energy secretary
In the seven episode of The Professional Investment Podcast, Tim Manuel, head of responsible investment at choose the news of Trump picking a fracking executive as his energy secretary for his story of the week. This led to a great discussion about the politicisation of sustainable investment − and how the US and the EU are moving in different directions with the UK trapped in the middle. We talked about the evolution of sustainable investing and how this shapes how Border To Coast Pensions Partnership selects its funds. At the end of the podcast, we debate the advantages of engagement over divestment and the role of policy makers in helping professional investors to transition the economy.
How diversity, equity and inclusion factors help asset owners and managers to select more profitable companies
In this episode of the Pensions for Purpose podcast, I talk to Karen Shackleton, founder of Pensions to Purpose, and Abbie Llewellyn-Waters, lead investment manager of Jupiter’s global sustainable equities strategy, about how diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) helps managers to select companies with the best long-term prospects.
Systemic stewardship: why asset owners should do more to influence climate policy
Asset owners and managers have preferred to keep quiet on political campaigning and have not actively influenced policy decisions. However, as climate change poses such significant systemic risk this approach needs to change. In this discussion with Karen Shackleton, founder of Pensions for Purpose and Claire Jones, partner and head of responsible investing at LCP, we consider why being a corporate steward is no longer enough for pension schemes. Claire explains the five policies LCP has produced and why they are important. We also talk about the steps large and small schemes can take and how asset managers can help.
From buyout to run-on: The case for keeping DB pension schemes alive
My latest article for Professional Pensions assesses the attractiveness of continuing a scheme now it is well-funded and stable. The financial appeal is compelling − rather than hand over a surplus, this can instead be split between the corporate sponsor and scheme beneficiaries. While size matters and most agree this is not an economically viable option for schemes of less than £100m, there is a broad range of opinions about the optimal scheme. The appeal could be broadened with a universal levy payable to the Pension Protection Fund.
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