Risks, returns and the role of the investment manager: addressing the theories around sustainable investing
Release Date: 06/11/2021
Natural Capital - Moving into the mainstream
Frontier Conversations
In this episode of Frontier Conversations, hosts Richard Kelly and Robert Guest, Co-Leads of Foresight Natural Capital, explore how investing in nature is moving into the mainstream. Richard and Rob discuss the policy and market developments shaping the space - from EU deforestation regulation and emissions trading schemes to England’s Biodiversity Net Gain legislation - and explain how these frameworks are fundamentally changing land use economics. The episode also looks at natural capital investing in practice, including afforestation, sustainable forestry, carbon credits and...
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Deep Tech: From breakthroughs to returns
Frontier Conversations
In this episode of Frontier Conversations, host Alex McMullen is joined by Andy Bloxam, Partner at Foresight and lead of its Ventures strategy, for an in-depth discussion of the fast-evolving world of deep tech. The conversation explores cutting-edge breakthroughs - such as hyperspectral imaging that can detect conditions like anaemia from a single photograph - and what they signal for the future of science-led innovation. Andy outlines the most investable areas within deep tech, including AI, biotechnology, and climate tech, and explains why collaboration with universities, research...
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Inside the energy transition - where capital meets the grid
Frontier Conversations
Season 2 of Foresight’s Frontier Conversations opens with a discussion on the most powerful force reshaping infrastructure investing today: the energy transition. Hosts Richard Thompson and Dan Wells, Partners at Foresight Group and Co-Managers of Foresight’s flagship energy transition funds FEIP I and FEIP II, explore the realities behind deploying capital into renewable generation, storage, and the grid infrastructure needed to support a decarbonised power system. They unpack why the energy transition has become the largest subsector in infrastructure, the challenges of integrating...
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The Round Up: Key insights from Foresight’s Frontier Forum
Frontier Conversations
In this episode of the Frontier podcast, hosts Dan Wells and Chris Holmes are joined by Laura Sandys and Juliet Rose to unpack insights from Foresight’s recent Frontier Forum at the Eden Project. This thought-provoking conversation addresses some of the biggest challenges of our time: 🌱 Mobilising capital into sustainable infrastructure ⚡ Decarbonising energy-intensive industries 🌳 Unlocking natural capital to drive resilience and growth 💡 Exploring innovative financing models, policy certainty, and the power of systems thinking to accelerate the energy transition...
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Power Beyond Borders: Why interconnectors are critical to the energy transition
Frontier Conversations
In this episode of the Frontier podcast, Foresight hosts Dan Wells and Chris Holmes discuss the vital role of interconnectors in the energy transition with Simon Ludlam, CEO of Mares Connect. They explore how interconnectors facilitate a fully integrated energy market, enhancing energy security, enabling cross-border electricity flow, and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources. The conversation highlights the European Union’s strategic prioritisation of interconnectors as part of its energy policy, underscoring their importance in achieving decarbonisation goals. However,...
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Hydrogen: Challenging Misconceptions and Unpacking Its Decarbonisation Potential
Frontier Conversations
In this episode of the Frontier podcast, hosts Chris Holmes and Dan Wells discuss the role of hydrogen in the energy transition with special guest, Vice President of NextChem, Adamo Screnci, a hydrogen expert with over 20 years of experience. They explore hydrogen as a clean energy solution, the importance of creating market demand, and the need for regulation to drive the hydrogen economy. Key topics include the hierarchy of hydrogen applications, challenges in transportation and storage, and the significance of political and geographical factors in shaping energy choices. The episode wraps...
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Sowing the Future: Climate, Sports and Sustainable Food Innovations
Frontier Conversations
In this episode of Frontier: Listen, we explore the intricate connections between climate change, sports, and sustainable food systems. Dan and Chris kick off with a discussion on how climate change impacts sports, leading into an interview with Antony Yousefian, Partner at The First Thirty and leading figure in sustainable investments and agri-food tech innovation. Antony shares his insights on the future of food production, the role of technology, how our approach to food can significantly impact both human health and the planet, and how he sees the role of private markets evolving in...
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Introducing Frontier: Listen
Frontier Conversations
Join hosts Chris Holmes and Dan Wells, Partners at Foresight, as they kick off the Frontier Podcast. In this inaugural episode, they discuss their roles, backgrounds in sustainable infrastructure, and personal interests. Topics Covered: Recent events, including the Olympics and political happenings The podcast's purpose as a platform for private market investors Insights on the energy transition, AI's role, and green hydrogen The importance of sustainability reporting and avoiding greenwashing Results from a recent investor poll on market priorities Key Takeaways: ...
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Transforming our Sustainability Data Reporting
Frontier Conversations
Earlier this year, we launched our sustainability data platform: PACT (Platform Advacing Change Together) - powered by Salesforce and delivered by PWC. The platform allows us to gain access to AI and data-driven insights to enhance reporting across our global corporate business and private equity portfolio. Businesses are under growing pressure to capture broader ESG data, as new regulations, accounting standards and rules aimed at accelerating the drive to Net Zero come into force. SMEs, which account for 99% of UK businesses, often do not have the resources to effectively manage their...
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Foresight Sustainability Forum: The Big Debrief
Frontier Conversations
The Foresight Sustainability Forum, held over two days at the Eden Project, brought together leading experts and visionaries to address the fundamental challenges facing our planet and explore innovative solutions to these challenges. The event provided a platform for insightful discussions, thought-provoking panel sessions, and enlightening keynote speeches, all aimed at shaping a more sustainable future for our planet. In this episode, Dan James, Development Director at the Eden Project, Lily Billings, Head of Group Sustainability and Henry Morgan, Infrastructure Sustainable Investment Lead...
info_outlineAs demand for ESG investing spreads across geographies and investor types, the role of the investment manager and their ability to drive change for the future of the planet is in the spotlight now more than ever. In this episode, Hugi Clarke, Partner at Foresight, talks with Simon Holman, Partner at Castlefield, an employee-owned investment and financial advisory group, with a focus on ethical and sustainable investments. The pair discuss the key questions arising around sustainable investment today, and how advisers can be best equipped to help their clients invest with impact, without compromising financial returns.
Key Takeaways include:
- Understanding what ESG means in investment
- How investors can deliver a greener, fairer future without compromising on financial returns
- Navigating the risks of greenwashing
- Addressing some of the issues in the sector including regulation, jargon and reporting
The opinions of speakers are their personal opinions and not necessarily those of the company.