London: 'Great minds don’t think alike'

Climate change poses both risks and opportunities for business now and in the future. Pension funds and insurers need to have a view of which companies will endure as the environment changes, regulations evolve, new technologies emerge and customer behaviours shift – and which companies will struggle. More importantly, as custodians of member’s benefits, they need to manage the associated risks and take appropriate actions. Our esteemed panel is made up of three speakers: David Fogarty is responsible for development of Dalriada’s position on ESG, including the formulation of their ESG policy, and represents the trustee’s view. Laura Houet, a partner in the London Financial Services team at CMS who advises clients across Europe and the US on sustainability issues, will provide the lawyer’s perspective. Finally, Maria Nazarova-Doyle who is responsible for defining the investment offering for Scottish Widows, incorporating ESG into the investment design, will represent the insurer’s perspective. Between them, they are planning to cover a wide range of “E” topics including: - ESG policies and investment portfolio alignment to net zero; - Scheme sponsor and member engagement; - Importance of data and reporting; - Impact of regulation on sustainability issues; and - Stewardship powers to drive engagement and ultimately improve our environment