As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing faces growing scrutiny, this roundtable will examine what's behind the recent backlash and why this could prove to be a powerful opportunity to reset how investors think about impact investing.
What to expect:
How did we get here?
Explore how ESG investing evolved from a niche concept to a mainstream investment approach and why it's now facing heightened criticism.
Understanding the backlash
Gain insights into the drivers of the current pushback, from political resistance to concerns about greenwashing and inconsistent ESG standards.
Are there lessons we can learn?
Is it time to return to basics and reset investor expectations?
Impact investing in focus
Hear why this environment may be particularly beneficial for impact investing—an approach that targets intentional and measurable positive change
Listed equities with purpose
Learn how global listed equities can be powerful vehicles for achieving positive environmental impact without sacrificing performance. The speakers will share how Vontobel identifies and measures impact across its investments in public markets.
Sponsor
Vontobel is an international investment management firm with Swiss roots, providing investment, advisory and solution capabilities to private and institutional clients.
Who is this event open to?
This event is open to asset owners such as pension fund trustees and in-house executives, independent investment advisers, professional trustees, Government and Regulatory colleagues and investment consultants.
Register hereSpeakers
Lara Kesterton, Head of Sustainability, Impact Equities, Vontobel
Lara joined Vontobel in 2017 and works within their Conviction Equities boutique. Before joining Vontobel, Lara worked on developing decarbonising pathways for international hotel groups, on a World Bank project for the Maldives government and with several private equity groups on renewable energy investments.
Lara is a lawyer by professional background, with five years’ practice at a leading London law firm specialising in banking and international finance.
Victoria Mai, Sustainability Analyst, Impact Equities, Vontobel
Victoria joined Vontobel in 2023.After completing her traineeship as an ESG Specialist, she became a sustainability analyst in the Conviction Equities team. She works closely with equity analysts to evaluate companies through sustainability and impact lens. Her responsibilities include voting and engagement activities, as well as contributing to the annual impact reports for the impact strategies.
Before joining Vontobel, Victoria worked at PwC in the Strategic Regulatory and Sustainability Services team, at Credit Suisse in the Wealth Planning department and at the German start-up Bundesinitiative Impact Investing.
Victoria is a Master in Public Policy candidate at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, Germany, and a Master of Science in Economics and Management candidate at the Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Sheisalso an EFFAS Certified ESG Analyst® (CESGA).
Host
Karen Shackleton, Chair & Founder, Pensions for Purpose
Karen has worked in the finance sector for over 30 years. As well as being Founder of Pensions for Purpose, she is Chair of the Strategic Investment Board for the Ministry of Justice, and a Non-executive Director and Chair of the Board of Resonance Ltd, a social impact investment company. She sits on the Advisory Council of the Impact Investing Institute.
Karen also provides independent investment advice to the London Boroughs of Islington and Camden through Apex Group. She was the Chief Executive/Managing Director of AllenbridgeEpic Investment Advisers from 2010 to 2013. Before that, she had 10 years’ experience as a fund manager and director for County NatWest and BZW Investment Management (now BlackRock).
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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