As the financial sector evolves, natural capital is emerging as a key asset class, offering long-term value and sustainability benefits. From forestry and regenerative agriculture to biodiversity credits and nature-based infrastructure, pension schemes are increasingly exploring opportunities that align financial returns with environmental resilience.
This event explored the investment case for nature, addressing critical themes such as:
With advancements in data analytics, impact measurement and risk assessment, it is becoming easier for institutional investors to integrate natural assets into their portfolios.
We were delighted to be joined by an expert panel of speakers from West Yorkshire Pension Fund, Rebalance Earth, Nature Broking and Pensions for Purpose.
Following the panel discussion, we moved to breakout rooms of mixed stakeholders, led by a number of our Community Partners: Aberdeen Investments, Federated Hermes Limited and Stewart Investors.
Who was this event for?
This event was open to all our members. If your organisation is yet to join Pensions for Purpose you may attend one event before deciding whether to sign up, so please register for a trial session.
Speakers
Darran Ward, Head of Alternatives, West Yorkshire Pension Fund
Darran has over 20 years of experience in investment management across public and private markets. As Head of Alternatives at West Yorkshire Pension Fund, he leads on delivering risk-adjusted returns through investments in climate solutions, sustainable places, innovation and absolute return.
As a CFA charterholder, Darran’s expertise spans public and private markets, asset allocation, portfolio management, and sustainable investment strategies. His career is defined by a commitment to driving impactful, resilient investments that deliver long-term value for stakeholders.
Eoin Murray, Chief Investment Officer, Rebalance Earth
With over thirty years of experience as an investment leader, Eoin is proud to have launched one of the first biodiversity equity strategies with the Natural History Museum in London and launched the UK Nature Impact Fund backed by the Department for the Environment in the UK.
Most recently, Eoin spent a year with the Crowther Lab at ETH Zurich to bring the SEED Biocomplexity Index to market. Eoin is studying for a PhD in Nature and Investment, further cultivating this commitment to business protecting biodiversity. Eoin is based in the UK, where he is Chair of the Exmoor Search and Rescue Team.
Luke Baldwin, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Nature Broking
An expert in natural capital and the carbon markets, Luke specialises in the UK markets and the creation of carbon removal portfolios for organisations to achieve net zero. Utilising his background in financial services, he leverages expert advisory services and de-risking tools such as diversification and insurance to unlock these markets. His focus is on building strong and credible business cases for impact, enables businesses to have impact that helps their bottom line.
Before founding Nature Broking, he worked in the insurance industry which helped him develop Nature Broking’s model utilising insurance techniques to mitigate against the potential risks of the carbon market. Outside of work, Luke is a keen mountaineer and having grown up in rural Perthshire enjoys most, climbing and hiking in Scotland.
David Brown, Senior Director & Training Lead, Pensions for Purpose
David has worked in the pension and financial services industry for over 35 years and has both UK and international experience. As well as being Senior Director & Training Lead at Pensions for Purpose, David is an accredited professional pension trustee.
David has broad investment, risk management and operational experience across both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes with a particular interest in environment, social and governance (ESG), and climate change. He holds the CFA Certificates in ESG Investing and Impact Investing as well as being a Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute.
Breakout room moderators
Toby Rockingham, Director, UK Institutional, Aberdeen Investments
Toby joined Aberdeen Investments (then Standard Life Investments) in February 2004 and is a senior member of the UK Institutional Business Development team. The team is responsible for delivering Investment and Pensions solutions to Corporate and Public Pension plans and Insurance companies. Toby’s experience spans 25 years in the industry, with time spent in Fixed Income, Sustainability and Client roles - working with clients across the UK, Europe and USA to build and develop bespoke investment solutions.
Toby is currently working on the project to raise investment for the Aberdeen Climate and Nature Strategy, which will drive investment in Nature Restoration through Scotland’s Nature Investment Partnership.
Anna Roberts, CFA, Director – Consultant Relations, Federated Hermes Limited
Anna joined the Consultant Relations team as Director in October 2020 and is responsible formaintaining relationships and maximising the ratings of the Federated Hermes’ product range from UK-based consultants. She joined in July 2016 as a Client Director, where she was responsible for building and developing relationships with stakeholders across multiple distribution channels.
Previously, Anna held many strategic client relationship roles at Daiwa SBI, BlackRock and Legal & General Investment Management. Anna started her career as a real estate transactions analyst at Goldman Sachs in London. She earned an MSc in International Management from the University College Dublin and a BSc in International Management & Modern Languages from the University of Bath. Anna is a CFA charterholder.
Harry Gladstone, Client Director, Stewart Investors
Harry joined Stewart Investors in June 2014 and has worked in a number of different client roles managing the relationship with institutional clients based in the UK and Scandinavia, including two investment trust boards, foundations and those from the pensions industry. Previously Harry worked as an infantry officer in the British Army, where he reached the rank of Captain. He holds a BSc in Zoology from the University of Nottingham and the Investment Management Certificate from the CFA Society UK. He is a trustee for the Lady Flora Hastings Trust, a charity providing housing to armed forces community families in Edinburgh.
Host
Richard Giles, Director, Pensions for Purpose
Richard is an experienced pension professional as a trustee and adviser. He has a portfolio of roles at Board and senior executive level reflecting his interests in education and investing for a better planet. His roles in pensions include Chair of Investment Committee for the £2.5bn United Utilities Pension Scheme, Board member for ESPS (UU Section) and Senior Director for Pensions for Purpose.
In addition, Richard is Vice Chair for a multi-academy trust of 20 schools in Bradford and is a Board member at Bambisanani, a charity using sport to build bridges between students in the UK and South Africa. His previous roles include as Managing Director of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Partner at PwC and Scheme Actuary at Mercer.
Pensions for Purpose
Pensions for Purpose exists as a bridge between asset managers, pension funds and their professional advisers, to encourage the flow of capital towards impact investment. Our aim is to empower pension funds to seek positive impact opportunities and mitigate negative impact risks.
Our Community allows members to learn from leaders in the impact investment industry. We provide a trusted environment to interact, collaborate and share knowledge. Members engage in a programme of activity to shape their strategy in ESG, sustainable and impact investments.
For more information, please email the Membership Manager.
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