Private Equity
International
International
Responsible Investment Forum West 2024
4 - 5 September 2024,
Crowne Plaza, Palo Alto
Fusing responsible investing with innovation
The Responsible Investment Forum series bring together the most sophisticated institutional investors, fund managers, expert advisors, and highly recognized thought leaders. Providing an opportunity to discuss developing sustainable investment strategies that can enhance returns.
The West Coast Forum is where innovation meets sustainability at the forefront of investment strategy. The focus will extend beyond conventional boundaries, exploring cutting-edge opportunities at the intersection of technology and sustainability.
From pioneering climate tech startups to revolutionary AI-driven solutions, our discussions will uncover the latest trends and insights shaping the future of responsible investing on the dynamic West Coast. The Forum will provide a comprehensive overview of the current policies and regulations in place to drive positive change and support of the state of California’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry leaders, fund managers, and visionary thought leaders at this unique event.
2024 Key Themes
- Investor allocations and perspectives on sustainability considerations
- The role of AI in ESG monitoring processes and the increasing importance of “responsible information” – a deep dive into what tech ethics looks like from an AI perspective
- Clean tech – navigating the challenges of supply chain challenges
- Building a coherent plan for biodiversity – practical take aways on how to incorporate nature based solutions into diligence
- What the Scope 3 emissions California law means for the rest of the US
2023 Speakers Included:
Leading the way in responsible investment practices
Exceptional event content
Gain the latest insights and best practice from industry experts to transform your responsible investment strategies for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Unparalleled Networking
Collaborate with your peers and benchmark your progress. Network during breaks, interactive working sessions, and invite-only breakfasts.
Meet Leading Investors
Secure your next investment from leading institutional and private investors. Previous attendees include CalSTRS, Canadian Union of Public Employees, NYC Comptroller, HOOPP, United Church Funds and many more.
Interested in sponsoring Responsible Investment Forum?
Shake hands with prominent global institutional investors, fund managers, consultants, and highly recognised associations to build effective ESG strategies focused on value creation and ROI.
3 global opportunities to:
• Raise your visibility as a figurehead in a crowded ESG market and align your brand with PEI’s global and diverse event portfolio.
• Differentiate your brand and stand out from your competitors by collaborating as a thought leader across leading global ESG events in private equity, infrastructure, and private debt.
• Raise your reputation as an expert in ESG amongst existing and future clients.
• Get ahead of ESG and impact fund regulations and be the go to provider in industry developments setting you apart from your competitors.
Get in touch with us today and let us put your company at the forefront of the industry.
Are you an institutional investor?
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for eligible institutional investors to join the event.
Complimentary investor passes are limited to foundations, endowments, trusts, insurance companies, single family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds who are actively making fund commitments and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/consulting services.
Apply for a pass and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm your eligibility.
Testimonials
“I really enjoyed the conference. It was very encouraging to hear how GP’s are integrating ESG not only in their portfolios but in their firms as we…
“Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. The Responsible Investment Forum is a powerful g…
“It’s great to see PEI bring together a diverse and growing group of investment professionals interested and active in responsible and sustainable investment. T…
“I really enjoyed the conference. It was very encouraging to hear how GP’s are integrating ESG not only in their portfolios but in their firms as well. It was great to learn about their best practices as well as lessons learned. The breakout sessions and panels were very informative. The conference provided good networking opportunities as well.”
“Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. The Responsible Investment Forum is a powerful global platform for like minded ESG investors to transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all”
“It’s great to see PEI bring together a diverse and growing group of investment professionals interested and active in responsible and sustainable investment. The format of 1:1 interactions, break out and plenary sessions was useful to share general market perspectives and engage in detail to share experience and deepen understanding of the many and varied ESG issues facing our industry today”
We are excited to host the Responsible Investment Forum: San Francisco 2023 at the JW Marriott. The JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square hotel boasts luxurious accommodations in an excellent downtown location near Market Street, the Moscone Center and upscale shopping and dining in Union Square.
Connect with global investors focused on the future of the market
Position your business with an authoritative content-led event portfolio focused on ESG & diversity and be recognised as a go-to solution provider for senior private markets professionals and institutional investors.
Don’t miss the opportunity to:
- Shake hands with prominent global institutional investors, fund managers, consultants, and highly recognised associations to build effective ESG strategies focused on value creation and ROI.
- Stand tall from your competitors by showcasing your company’s mature ESG track record and generate strategic value when growing and implementing environmental and sustainability initiatives.
- Discover brand opportunities to position your sustainable funds to aid capital raising to a global ESG community.
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities please fill in the enquiry form or contact Tyler Mitchell at tyler.m@pei.group or call +1 646 795 3279.
Pre-Event Resources
2024 Agenda
The Responsible Investment Forum: West will take place on September 4-5 2024 at Crowne Plaza, Palo Alto.
For agenda information or to inquire about speaking opportunities, please contact Kitty Watson at kitty.w@pei.group
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 4th
Breakfast
08:00 - 09:00
Developing an ESG Contract Toolkit – Breakfast Workshop
- Explore some of the drivers for ESG contract uplift (e.g., commitments, regulation, risk mitigation), and provide an overview of different contract tools (e.g., reps and warranties, covenants, indemnities, information rights)
- Share experiences on integrating ESG into different types of contracts, including challenges and strategies for overcoming those challenges
- Discover how sponsors can identify key contracts with respect to both investments and portfolio companies, and then develop a set of tools that can be deployed by sponsor and portfolio company personnel
Plenary
09:00 - 09:05
Chairperson’s opening remarks
09:05 - 09:45
Allocators Panel: To what extent are sustainability considerations impacting investor allocations
- Investigating emerging areas LPs are focusing on when evaluating fund managers
- Are investors concerned that the weight of data requests are impossible for smaller funds to handle?
- LP views on the effectiveness of ESG strategies in driving long-term value and mitigating risks
- Engaging with third party data providers on data requests
Speakers:
Katie Fackler, Associate Portfolio Manager, CalSTRS
09:45 - 10:10
Keynote presentation: Why sustainability is key to our investment approach
10:10 - 10:50
The evolution of US private funds in addressing sustainability within their portfolios
Rhys Marsh,
Brook Porter,
Jeffrey Cohen
- Feast or famine – does impact / sustainability intentionality drive or constrain investible opportunity set?
- How do large investors view the sustainable investing across asset classes?
- Has the ESG ‘backlash’ had any impact on private funds’ approach to sustainability?
- How do current policies such as the IRA enhance or constrain technology risk appetite within sustainability-focused portfolios?
Speakers:
Rhys Marsh, Portfolio Manager, LOIM Sustainable Private Credit
Brook Porter, Partner, G2 Venture Partners
Matt Kaczmarek, Managing Director, Blackrock
Jeff Cohen, Managing Director, Head of ESG & Sustainability, Oak Hill Advisors
10:50 - 11:10
Coffee & Networking
Plenary
11:10 - 11:40
Scope 3 & California State – Strategies for reduction and compliance
Jessica Clavette
- Exploring the current policies and regulations and how they drive positive change towards a more sustainable future
- How portcos are effectively measuring, managing and reducing their Scope 3 emissions
- Exploring methods to implement transparency and accountability in disclosing Scope 3 emissions
- What the Scope 3 Emissions California Law means for the rest of the US
Speakers:
Teresa Yu, ESG Product and Research, Novata
Jessica Clavette, ESG Manager, Equistone Partners Europe
11:40 - 12:20
The integration of ESG into value creation plans
Johan Nordenson,
Jessica Huang,
Jennifer Flood
- How tech-driven solutions can drive value creation
- Balancing the long-term positive impact from sustainability initiatives when the benefits may be realised by subsequent owners
- Employing data-driven methodologies to move beyond anecdotal evidence, effectively demonstrating value and measuring outcomes of ESG initiatives
- Exploring the collaboration between the sustainability function, fund stakeholders and portfolio companies
Speakers:
Johan Nordenson, ESG Operating Partner, Altamont Capital Partners
Jessica Huang, Private Equity, ESG, Ares
Jennifer Flood, Sustainability, Head of North America, Investindustrial
12:20 - 13:00
Portfolio company perspectives on sustainability and ESG performance improvement
- How are portfolio companies balancing the expectations of their PE sponsors with their other stakeholders?
- Investigating the collaborative strategies employed by portfolio companies in partnership with their investors.
- What are the key ESG focus areas to improve performance and create real business value?
- Case studies of PE firms working effectively with portfolio companies
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Stream A: Sustainability and Impact
14:00 - 14:40
A deep dive into impact investing
Christina Anzel
- As ‘impact hushing’ becomes a wider phenomenon, is the impact label a good thing for fundraising at present?
- Is the age of the generalist impact investor over, and the future in thematic and specialist managers?
- What is the breakdown of venture, growth and buyout strategies from impact-orientated managers?
Speakers:
Christina Anzel, Director, Generation Investment Management
14:40 - 15:15
Transition investing and technology: marrying returns, impact and scale
Daryl Kennedy
- What are the megatrends in sustainability investing that are prudent to align investments with?
- Which technologies and innovations will be driving the creation of financial value and returns in the coming decade?
- How are investors in decarbonisation and climate thinking about scalability of their impact?
Speakers:
Daryl Kennedy, Sustainability & Investor Relations Manager, Piva Capital
15:15 - 15:45
Coffee & Networking
15:45 - 16:30
Addressing the G in ESG
- Highlighting governance practises that focus on ethical decision making, transparency and accountability
- Examining the integration of governance principles to ensure responsible management of environmental and social risks
- The importance of board oversight in setting and implementing ethical guidelines, risk management strategies and accountability frameworks related to data governance and privacy
16:30 - 17:15
Interactive Workshop Navigating the maze of ESG regulations
Isela Rosales
- Exploring the methodologies and criteria used to evaluate sustainability labelling and ESG risks
- Discussing the implications for investors and how to incorporate sustainable regulations into their investment strategies
- Comparing the challenges and opportunities of the different reporting frameworks and standards and how they contribute to market transparency, investor confidence and risk management
Speakers:
Isela Rosales, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainability & Responsibility, Bridge Investment Group
Mark Green, Senior Relationships Manager – US, UNPRI
Stream B: Emerging Investment Opportunities
14:00 - 14:40
Adjusting to growing interest in climate adaptation
- Where are investment opportunities in climate adaptation?
- Examining the technologies capturing investor interest in climate adaptation
- To what extent do climate adaptation measures address the evolving challenges posed to the environment
14:40 - 15:15
The Grid’s role in having a sustainable energy balance
- How strategies to balance the grid meet fluctuating energy demands
- The role energy storage technologies (such as batteries and pumped hydro storage) play to store renewable energy during periods of low demand and improve grid reliability
- Evaluating risk and return profiles associated with Grid investments
15:15 - 15:45
Coffee & Networking
15:45 - 16:30
Exploring the changing landscape of investment opportunities in EV charging infrastructure
- Analysing the increasing demand for EVs globally and the potential for market growth
- Exploring investment opportunities in the EV supply chain and assessing their sustainability
- How are investment considerations and business models changing and evolving?
16:30 - 17:15
Tech & Innovations Showcase
This unique session will highlight innovations with the potential to accelerate global decarbonization and halt climate change. Former winners of the prestigious BNEF Pioneers program will present on how their technology can be part of the solution. The audience will have the chance to quiz the presenters, and vote on which technology they would be most like to invest in.
Close of conference
17:15 - 18:15
Cocktail Reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 5th
Breakfast
08:00 - 08:50
Invitation only Breakfast Briefings for LPs and GPs
Plenary
09:00 - 09:45
Sustainability excellence presentations
Three fund managers will present innovative strategies that they use within their portfolios to address sustainability and drive value creation
09:45 - 10:20
Ethical AI – Navigating the intersection of technology and morality
- What do tech ethics look like from an AI perspective?
- Navigating the regulatory landscape on how to integrate AI into ESG monitoring processes
- Mitigating the social risks of integrating AI and the importance of “responsible information”
- Establishing the need for frameworks and common standards on AI ethics to ensure responsible development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence technologies
Speakers:
Zomo Fisher, Head of Sustainability & ESG, Hellman & Freidman
11:00 - 11:30
Networking break
11:30 - 12:10
Maximising value: ESG integration in exit strategies
Lindsay Gibson
- Evaluating ESG performance and alignment with investor expectations prior to exit
- Navigating the increasing complexity of balancing goals: growth, environmental sustainability, operational efficiency and social impact
- Success stories: ESG metrics and reporting within an exit plan that demonstrated long-term sustainability and value creation
Moderator:
Ashim Paun, Head of Sustainable Investing, Triton Partners
Speakers:
Lindsay Gibson, ESG Lead, North America, Permira
12:10 - 12:50
Oxford style debate – This house believes ESG boosts returns in private equity
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
Interactive roundtable discussions over Lunch
A seated lunch enabling you to join a table of market participants with similar interests and expertise. Attendees will have a mix of tables to choose from, each table having a host to steer discussions.
- Building a coherent plan for biodiversity
- Using ESG in fundraising
- Working with portfolio companies
- ESG in due diligence
- The role of AI in responsible investing and value creation
2024 Speakers
For agenda information or to inquire about speaking opportunities, please contact Kitty Watson at kitty.w@pei.group
Institutional Investors at the Responsible Investment Forum: West 2024
The Responsible Investment Forum: West provides a leading platform for institutional investors, and allocators investing in sustainable investment in private equity, to gather.
Join over 200 institutional investors and fund managers to debate the latest trends and key themes.
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for responsible investment LPs and institutional investors. Check out the benefits of joining the conference, who among your peers attends and find out how to apply for a complimentary pass for you or your team below.
What to expect at the forum?
Meet with the best and biggest impact funds globally
Network and arrange one-to-one meetings with leading institutional investors and benchmark your progress. Previous attending investors include CalSTRS, Canadian Union of Public Employees, NYC Comptroller, Seattle City Employees Retirement System, United Church Funds and many more
Network with your peers and other institutional investors
Build your network, understand their strategies, challenges and allocation approach to responsible investment
Get insight on the latest innovations and trends in responsible investment
Take advantage of expert insights from our leading speakers to stay aligned with developments in the market
Apply for a complimentary Institutional Investor pass
A limited number of complimentary passes are available for responsible investment Forum LPs, allocators and institutional investors.
Complimentary investor passes are limited to foundations, endowments, trusts, insurance companies, single family offices, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds who are actively making fund commitments and do not engage in third-party fundraising activities or collect fees for advisory/consulting services.
Apply below and a member of our team will follow up with you to secure your pass.
Network with the North American responsible investment industry
In a brand new venue in Palo Alto, join 200+ attendees this September 4-5 to connect with institutional investors, fund managers, specialist responsible investment and impact managers, and the wider ESG community for two days of learning and networking. This is a must-attend event for those with an interest in ESG in private markets.
The in-person networking experience
Meet investors with a focus on ESG
Network with active investors in responsible investment. Benefit from our expansive North American investor community who will be in attendance throughout the Forum.
Network in-person once again
Connect with your peers at interactive workshops, networking breaks, an evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions and invite-only breakfasts.
Build new connections at the forum
Past investors include CalSTRS, Canadian Union of Public Employees, NYC Comptroller, Seattle City Employees Retirement System, United Church Funds, and many more.
Connect with responsible investment professionals
Testimonials from attendees
“I really enjoyed the conference. It was very encouraging to hear how GP’s are integrating ESG not only in their portfolios but in their firms as we…
“Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. The Responsible Investment Forum is a powerful g…
“It’s great to see PEI bring together a diverse and growing group of investment professionals interested and active in responsible and sustainable investment. T…
“I really enjoyed the conference. It was very encouraging to hear how GP’s are integrating ESG not only in their portfolios but in their firms as well. It was great to learn about their best practices as well as lessons learned. The breakout sessions and panels were very informative. The conference provided good networking opportunities as well.”
“Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the greatest problems facing humanity. The Responsible Investment Forum is a powerful global platform for like minded ESG investors to transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all”
“It’s great to see PEI bring together a diverse and growing group of investment professionals interested and active in responsible and sustainable investment. The format of 1:1 interactions, break out and plenary sessions was useful to share general market perspectives and engage in detail to share experience and deepen understanding of the many and varied ESG issues facing our industry today”