Proving the value of ESG in private equity
In its 10th anniversary, the longest running Private Equity meeting focused on bringing together GPs and LPs to discuss ESG issues and market trends in alternatives will return in June. Attracting over 300 delegates from more than 30 countries, this event is not to be missed.
Whilst ESG has grown due to LPs demanding managers to adopt stricter ESG principles, GPs are increasingly seeing how implementing ESG can add tangible value. This Forum presents the perfect opportunity to discuss the state of the industry with your peers and to be a part of a must-attend event for alternative asset professionals with an interest in ESG and responsible investment.
Highlights in 2019
Create meaningful relationships
Connect with and hear from more private equity professionals than ever before throughout the event and have open discussion with your peers in our unique agenda focused on creating valuable opportunities.
Special 10th anniversary edition
Our 10th anniversary event will create the perfect opportunity to discuss how far the industry has come and what there is left to do.
Learn from your industry peers
Discussion of evolving topic areas such as linking impacts to ESG, implementing SDGs, managing water risk, climate risk strategy, influencing investment teams and much more.
Agenda highlights in 2019
Keynote speech from David Lomas of Blackrock explaining why the world’s largest asset manager is committed to ESG.
New kids on the block discussing what the rise of impact investing means for private equity.
Substantial variety of topics including the rise of governance, utilising data, human capital, tax, SASB standards, regulatory updates and much more.
ESG value creation case studies to learn from those involved in these successful deals.
Workshop sessions focused on realistic climate risk strategy for Private Equity & SDG implementation to give you practical takeaways to take back to the office.
Keynote speaker
David Lomas
Managing Director, Global Head of BlackRock Alternative Specialists
BlackRock
“Over the last decade we have seen growing recognition among investors that a company’s management of environmental, social, and governance matters can be a key indicator of its ability to deliver long term sustainable growth and investor returns.
I’m delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the conversation around how ESG can help create long-term value for private equity investors. As a fiduciary to our clients, BlackRock seeks to incorporate material ESG factors into our investment process, which can help us better assess investment risks and opportunities.”
Testimonials
Will Nitch-Smith
TRC Solutions
The Responsible Investment Forum gives a unique insight into the current perspectives of GPs, how they deal with these expectations and their practical response…
Markus Reppenhagen
ARCADIS
Expert speaker panel and excellent networking opportunities – one of the best events I have attended this year
Naku Zaveri
Global Environment Fund
Excellent line up of speakers and a very relevant attendee list which helped understand the latest ESG trends and to connect one on one to investment profession…
Will Nitch-Smith
TRC Solutions
The Responsible Investment Forum gives a unique insight into the current perspectives of GPs, how they deal with these expectations and their practical responses to them
Naku Zaveri
Global Environment Fund
Excellent line up of speakers and a very relevant attendee list which helped understand the latest ESG trends and to connect one on one to investment professionals across the industry
View the 2019 agenda
For more information on the agenda, please contact Charles Gould at charles.g@peimedia.com or call +44 (0) 20 7566 5444.
Download your copy of the 2019 agenda here.
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday 5th
PEI Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2019
08:00 - 08:30
Registration & networking breakfast
08:30 - 08:40
PEI Welcome
08:40 - 08:50
Chairperson’s welcome
Alison Hampton
08:50 - 09:05
PRI Update
Fiona Reynolds
09:05 - 09:30
Keynote: Outlining why the world’s largest asset manager is committed to ESG
David Lomas
09:30 - 10:20
10 years of ESG in private equity: How far have we come?
Fiona Reynolds,
Adam Black,
Geoffrey Geiger,
Rob Lucas,
Oliver Millet,
Tom Rotherham-Winqvist
- Is the industry too quick to congratulate itself?
- How far have LP expectations moved in the past decade? Are some LP boards kicking back on ESG?
- Who and what can move the needle further?
Moderated by: Fiona Reynolds, CEO, PRI
Oliver Millet
Member of the Eurazeo Executive Board and Chairman of the Eurazeo PME Executive Board
Read bio
10:20 - 11:00
New kids on the block? the emergence of impact funds in private equity
Silva Deželan,
Michele Giddens OBE,
Kirk Hourdajian,
Greg Shell
- What can traditional PE funds learn from impact funds?
- Exploration on how and why traditional funds are launching impact strategies
- Investor views on impact compared to traditional PE: are ESG and impact the same thing?
- Is private equity buy-in proof of the impact investment concept?
Moderated by: Silva Deželan, Director – Sustainability & Private Equity, Robeco
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee & networking
PEI Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2019
11:30 - 12:10
Using data to drive ESG performance and proving impact
Jeffrey Altman,
Ellen de Kreij,
Shami Nissan,
Amy O'Brien,
Fiona Place
- GP practices for defining meaningful and relevant datapoints that support ESG management and reporting to LPs
- How are GPs using datapoints to prove positive impact?
- What is the quality of ESG reporting required for exit?
Moderated by: Jeffrey Altman, Senior Advisor, Mercatus
12:10 - 12:50
The UN SDGs: a call to action that is being answered
Alan Kao,
MaryKate Bullen,
Carmela Mondino,
Tapiwa Muranda,
Anna Ryott
- Are the UN SDGs a business opportunity for GPs?
- How SDGs can be used to show impact
- In practice: how are investors mapping positive and negative impact on SDGs across the portfolio and what are they doing with the information?
Moderated by: Alan Kao, Principal, Ramboll
12:50 - 13:30
Urgent action required: climate risks and opportunities in the portfolio
Joy Williams,
Craig Davies,
Charles Gooderham,
Ritu Kumar
- How successful has PE been in implementing the changes proposed by the FSB taskforce?
- What is the role of private equity in the low carbon transition?
- Which type of assets are most exposed to climate risk? Where might there be opportunities?
- Investor views on funds exposure to climate risk
Moderated by: Joy Williams, Senior Advisor, Mantle 314
13:30 - 14:30
Lunch
Stream A
14:30 - 15:10
Human Capital: How ESG can be crucial in helping to attract and retain talent
Helen Pradas-Page,
Therése Lennehag,
Barbara Levéel,
Caroline Löfgren,
Michèle Meier
- To what extent are top graduates taking the sustainability ambitions and practices of employers into consideration
- What are the key considerations for millennials when assessing potential employers?
- Accelerating diversity to improve company performance
Moderated by: Helen Pradas-Page, Principal Consultant – ESG & Responsible Investment, Acre
Michèle Meier
Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibilities - Ivanhoé Cambridge Inc.
Read bio
15:10 - 15:50
Emerging issues: Managing reputational risk in a changing world
Denise Delaney,
Michael Hall ,
Maaike van der Schoot,
Adinah Shackleton
- To what extent is it possible to manage reputational risk during due diligence?
- How to react to issues in a 24-hour news cycle
- Monitoring risks throughout the supply chain
- Case studies where private equity firms have been caught up in a scandal and addressed it head on
Moderated by: Denise Delaney, Director, SustainAbility – an ERM group company
15:50 - 16:30
Climate risk workshop: practical suggestions for private equity
Youri Lie
- To what extent is scenario analysis realistic and necessary?
- How to analyse transition and physical risk across your portfolio
- Finding hotspots in your portfolio and how to latch onto them
Stream B
14:30 - 15:10
Measuring Impact: the asset owner view
Emmanuel Parmentier,
Anna Follér,
Keimpe Keuning,
Maurice Klaver
- Impact vs. ESG in asset owners’ responsible investment strategies
- Role of private assets
- LPs expectations on private asset managers and best practices observed
Moderated by: Emmanuel Parmentier, Partner, INDEFI
15:10 - 15:50
Regulatory update: What’s new and what is coming?
Simon Witney
- How will the EU’s new sustainability regulations impact private equity?
- Portfolio company governance: the Wates Guidelines and stakeholder disclosures.
15:50 - 16:30
SDG workshop: Developing a focused approach to the SDGs
Alan Kao
Short introductory remarks will be followed by the audience splitting into working groups
- How are companies addressing the SDGs (for example, how is a major car company contributing to SDG3?)
- How do the SDGs fit into ESG and impact investing?
- What do the SDGs tell you about mindfulness and intentionality?
- How can the SDGs help you focus your investment strategy?
- How are the SDGs like shopping at the grocery store?
Stream C
14:30 - 15:10
Why ESG and infrastructure are such natural bedfellows
Simon Whistler,
Laura Canas da Costa,
Sabine Chalopin,
Tim Clare,
Valeria Rosati
- To what extent is ESG an important value creation driver in infrastructure?
- How ESG implementation differs for debt and equity investors
- How is ESG considered in asset Due Diligence vs Stewardship?
Moderated by: Simon Whistler, Senior Manager, UNPRI
15:10 - 15:50
Integrating ESG in real estate investment strategies
Roxana Isaiu,
Abigail Dean,
Chris Strathon,
Derk Welling,
Ian Williamson
- What are investors’ expectations regarding performance, reporting and engagement of ESG?
- Aligning sustainability and investment strategies across the portfolio
- Measuring success: how ESG strategies are enhancing risk-adjusted returns
- ESG performance improvements: from risk reduction to value creation
Moderated by: Roxana Isaiu, Director – ESG & Real Estate, GRESB
15:50 - 16:30
Forestry and ESG – A ‘natural’ fit in a growing asset class
Sarah Clawson,
Ralph Kretschmer,
Mark de Nooij,
Rachel Pasternack,
Jos Lemmens
- Forestry risk, return, and portfolio characteristics
- How does responsible investment support forestry risk management?
- Opportunities for market growth in the circular and low-carbon economy
PEI Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2019
16:30 - 17:00
Coffee & networking
PEI Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2019
17:00 - 17:45
Networking Roundtable Discussions
Adam Black,
Erika Blanckaert,
Beatrice Böhm,
Pooma Kimis,
Ashley Knight,
Mary Nicholson,
Avantika Saisekar,
Eva Yazhari
Led by an expert moderator, the roundtables will create an informal environment to discuss and debate ESG opportunities across different private equity strategies. Delegates will be able to move around tables, maximising networking and learning opportunities
- Secondaries – Adam Black (Coller Capital)
- Venture Capital – Beatrice Böhm (MVP)
- Infrastructure – Mary Nicholson (MIRA)
- Private Debt – Ashley Knight (Mercer)
- Impact investment – Eva Yazhari (Beyond Capital Fund)
- Emerging Markets Growth – Pooma Kimis (OMFIF)
- First time funds – Avantika Saisekar (Wafra)
- Invest Europe DDQ – Erika Blanckaert (Invest Europe) in tandem with Graeme Ardus (Triton Partners) and James Holley (Bridgepoint)
Mary Nicholson
Global Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets
Read bio
17:45 - 19:00
Close
Agenda
Day 2 - Thursday 6th
PEI Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2019
08:00 - 09:20
Invitation only LP & GP Breakfast Briefings
Emilie Bobin,
Noëlla de Bermingham,
Fiona Reynolds,
Natasha Buckley,
Joy Williams
LPs Invite only ic20 working breakfast
The PRI has commissioned research to support the 3rd edition of the Limited Partners Guide.
LPs are invited to comment on the findings and to provide their own reflections on practical solutions to market challenges. Their input will support the update of this cornerstone document for PRI’s work in private equity.
Natasha Buckley, Senior Manager – Private equity programme, PRI
Joy Williams, Senior Advisor, Mantle 314
GPs Invite only ic20 working breakfast
The Initiative Climate 2020 is the commitment of Private Equity players to join forces to contribute concretely to the fight against climate change.
This breakfast will be a unique opportunity for GPs to understand how the iC20 works in France and how this initiative could be deployed in other countries.
Emilie Bobin, Partner, PWC
Noella de Bermingham, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Eurazeo
Fiona Reynolds, CEO, PRI
09:30 - 09:40
Chairperson's opening remarks
Alison Hampton
09:40 - 10:25
To what extent is ESG is being taken more seriously by investment teams?
Tomas Sys,
Jerome Duthu-Bengtzon ,
Natalie Kolbe,
Christopher Walker,
Angela Willetts
- Influencing investment teams and CEOs to ensure ESG is not an afterthought
- Connecting ESG professionals with CEOs to create value
- Strengthening board oversight on ESG issues
- Examining the role of ESG in due diligence; historically and now
Moderated by : Tomas Sys, Principal Consultant, Ramboll
Angela Willetts
Managing Director - Co-Chair of Responsible Investment Committee, Capital Dynamics
Read bio
10:25 - 11:00
IMP Project: Raising the bar for impact measurement and management practice
Clara Barby,
Kaori Shigiya
- Explaining the challenges that the project is aiming to address
- Building consensus on what constitutes good impact measurement and management practice
- Approach and timeline for completing this ambitious project
Presented by: Clara Barby, Chief Executive, Impact Management Project
Introduced by: Kaori Shigiya, Head of SDGs, PRI
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee & networking
PEI Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2019
11:30 - 12:20
ESG case studies highlighting the value of ESG
Sandy Trust,
Stefano Bacci,
Joshua Cherry-Seto,
Wise Chigudu
3 case studies will be presented highlighting how and where ESG can add value. At the end of the presentations there will be a vote on the best case study
Moderated by: Sandy Trust, Senior Manager, EY
- Blue Wolf: Suwannee Lumber Company
- Joshua Cherry-Seto, CFO & CCO, Blue Wolf Capital Partners
- Ambienta: Safim
- Stefano Bacci, Partner & ESG Manager, Ambienta
- Silverstreet: Silverlands
- Wise Chigudu, Vice-President, Silverstreet Capital
12:20 - 13:00
Taking a deeper dive into SASB standards
Jeff Cohen,
Michael Cappucci,
Jackie Roberts
- How SASB standards are being used by private equity managers to improve the rigor of ESG integration into the investment decision making
- An initial SASB overview to be provided followed by a deeper level of practical insight
- How to think of material ESG factors and how SASB standards can help
Moderated by: Jeff Cohen, CAIA, Institutional Product Strategist, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board
13:00 - 13:30
Oxford style debate: How far has the needle moved in 10 years?
Maarten Biermans,
Ivo Dimov,
Colin Etnire,
Alison Hampton,
Ebel Kemeling
This house believes that we no longer need a separate Responsible Investment Forum for private equity
Against the Motion:
Ebel Kemeling, Partner & Founder, Spring Associates
Maarten Biermans, Associate Principal, Rabobank
For the Motion:
Ivo Dimov, Consultant, Sancroft International
Colin Etnire, ESG Analyst, Carlyle
Referee:
Alison Hampton, Founder, Alma Verde Advistor
13:30 - 14:00
Lunch
View the 2019 speakers
For more information on speaking, please contact Charles Gould at charles.g@peimedia.com or call +44 (0) 20 7566 5444.
Download your copy of the 2019 agenda here.
Jeffrey Altman
Senior Advisor, Mercatus
Jeffrey is Managing Partner at e2T Capital Partners, a private equity fund targeting innovative fast growing European technology or service companies that provide "the picks, pans and shovels" to enable the global transition to sustainable energy. Je… Read full bio
Stefano Bacci
Partner & ESG Manager, Ambienta
Stefano Bacci is a Partner and Ambienta’s ESG Manager, and is based in London. He joined Ambienta in 2012 and has been involved in a number of transactions including Tower Light, Calucem, Oskar Nolte and IP Cleaning.Prior to joining Ambienta, he was… Read full bio
Clara Barby
CEO, Impact Management Project
Clara is currently serving as Chief Executive of the Impact Management Project: a forum for building global consensus on how to measure and manage impact. Clara previously led Bridges’ impact strategy throughout the investment cycle – from defining t… Read full bio
Erika Blanckaert
Senior Public Affairs Manager, Invest Europe
Erika Blanckaert is Senior Public Affairs Manager at Invest Europe. She represents Invest Europe’s 650 members before political and regulatory stakeholders and guides the agenda-setting work of the world’s largest private capital association. In addi… Read full bio
Noëlla de Bermingham
CSR Manager, Eurazeo
Noëlla de Bermingham joined Eurazeo in 2014 as Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. She began her career in 2010 as Head of Sustainable development project within the Accor Group’s Sustainable development department. Noëlla’s work at Eurazeo incl… Read full bio
Maarten Biermans
Associate Principal, Rabobank
Maarten Biermans (1974) is responsible for the sustainable capital market solutions at Rabobank. By assisting with the issuance of sustainability linked loans and Green Bonds he helps with advancing sustainable finance across the globe. Before joinin… Read full bio
Adam Black
Head of ESG & Sustainability, Coller Capital
Adam has been an ESG specialist for over 25 years (11 years in private equity). He is active with Invest Europe, the BVCA, Hong Kong VCA and the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (including as a former member of the Private Equity St… Read full bio
Emilie Bobin
Partner, PwC
Emilie joined PwC’s Sustainability Department in France in 2007, where she is now Partner of the Department. Emilie has a strong expertise of the Private Equity sector since 2009. She works on many ESG due diligences, PE houses ESG strategy design, p… Read full bio
Beatrice Böhm
Business Analyst, MVP
Beatrice joined MVP as a Business Analyst in 2017. MVP is an independent Venture Capital fund concentrating on investments in leading-edge start-up companies with Transformative Technologies. Beatrice is supporting portfolio companies as board observ… Read full bio
Natasha Buckley
Senior Manager - Private equity programme, UNPRI
Natasha joined the PRI in August 2011. She is responsible for the PRI’s work in private equity, through which the PRI acts as a global platform to understand and share good practice, develop reporting practices and establish LP-GP alignment on expect… Read full bio
MaryKate Bullen
Associate Director – Sustainability & Communications - New Forests
MaryKate Bullen leads sustainability and communications for New Forests, a forestry investment manager focused on investing to create productive and sustainable landscapes with more than USD 3.5 billion in assets under management. MaryKate is respons… Read full bio
Michael Cappucci
Senior Vice President - Sustainable Investing, Harvard Management Company
Michael Cappucci is the senior vice president for compliance and sustainable investing of Harvard Management Company (HMC). He joined HMC in 2012. Michael helps to manage HMC’s sustainable investment program, where he focuses on integrating ESG facto… Read full bio
Laura Canas da Costa
Senior Advisor on Sustainable Finance, WWF Switzerland
Laura is a Senior Advisor for Sustainable Finance at WWF Switzerland. She is in charge of the network’s activities around the financing of sustainable infrastructure. Before joining WWF Switzerland, she worked as an investment manager at the sustaina… Read full bio
Sabine Chalopin
ESG Manager, Denham Capital
Sabine Chalopin is the ESG Manager to Power Deal Team and is responsible for screening, managing and monitoring investments for environmental and social risks and opportunities. She brings 11 years of power experience to the firm. Prior to joining De… Read full bio
Joshua Cherry-Seto
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Blue Wolf Capital Partners
Joshua Cherry-Seto is the Chief Financial Officer at Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC, a family of private equity funds which focus on transformational investments in middle market companies. Mr. Cherry-Seto is responsible for oversight of finance oper… Read full bio
Wise Chigudu
Associate Director, SilverStreet Capital
Wise Chigudu is an Associate Director at SilverStreet Capital, a London and African based asset management firm focusing on impact investment into the agricultural sector. SilverStreet manages the largest African agricultural fund and has a track rec… Read full bio
Tim Clare
Director, Anthesis
Tim is the European lead for ESG at Anthesis Group, based in London. Tim has over twenty years of experience. His initial focus was on the direction of multi-site, multi-jurisdictional EHS due diligence projects undertaken as part of M&A transactions… Read full bio
Sarah Clawson
Director, Investor Relations, New Forests
Sarah Clawson leads New Forests’ investor relations team and oversees the company’s capital raising and client relations. This includes providing strategic direction and coordination for funds marketing and client services functions across New Forest… Read full bio
Jeff Cohen
CAIA, Institutional Product Strategist, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board
Jeff Cohen is an Institutional Product Strategist at the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). In his role, Jeff educates and partners with institutional investors and asset owners facilitating dialogue on financially material industry sp… Read full bio
Craig Davies
Head Climate Resilience Investments, EBRD
Dr Davies lead EBRD’s climate resilience investment operations in emerging markets from North Africa to Central Asia. He leads a team that works with businesses, financial institutions, utilities and government agencies to understand how they are aff… Read full bio
Abigail Dean
Head of Sustainability, Nuveen Real Estate
Abigail Dean oversees the sustainability strategy, which positions Nuveen Real Estate as a global leader on environmental, social and governance issues. She also ensures that the business is well placed to pursue growth opportunities, while minimizin… Read full bio
Denise Delaney
Senior Director, SustainAbility - an ERM group company
A Director at SustainAbility, an ERM group company, based in London, Denise Delaney leads the development of sustainable strategies and stakeholder engagement for a variety of clients and partners. Denise is a proven expert in the pharmaceutical and… Read full bio
Silva Deželan
Director Sustainability - Private Equity, Robeco
As a Sustainability Director at Robeco Private Equity Mrs. Deželan is responsible for ESG integration and the implementation of ESG engagement across different private equity programs. She is currently a member of the PRI Private Equity Advisory Comm… Read full bio
Ivo Dimov
ESG Consultant, Sancroft
Ivo is an experienced sustainability consultant at Sancroft with focus on strategy design and ESG integration in investment practices. He has experience across Financial services, Energy, Food and Beverage, Agriculture, and Extractive sectors. Prior… Read full bio
Jerome Duthu-Bengtzon
Principal -Investment Team, Pantheon
Jérôme Duthu-Bengtzon, Principal in Pantheon’s European Investment Team, joined the firm in 2007 and has 16 years of private markets experience. Jérôme focuses on the analysis, evaluation and completion of infrastructure & real assets transactions, a… Read full bio
Colin Etnire
ESG Analyst, Carlyle Group
Colin Etnire is an ESG Analyst at Carlyle, based in Washington, DC. He is primarily responsible for supporting the firm’s Chief Sustainability Officer in integrating ESG into deal processes, strengthening portfolio companies’ sustainability efforts,… Read full bio
Anna Follér
Sustainability Manager, Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund
Anna Follér joined the Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP6) in 2014 as sustainability manager. Anna’s work includes supporting the investment organisation in integrating ESG factors into the investment and ownership processes as well as refining… Read full bio
Ellen de Kreij
Operating Advisor - Sustainability, Apax Partners
Ellen de Kreij is responsible for the implementation of the Apax Partners Sustainability Programme and is a member of the Apax Operational Excellence team. Ellen joined Apax Partners in 2002 as Director of Deal Generation and became a Director in the… Read full bio
Geoffrey Geiger
Head of Private Equity Funds & Co-Investments, USS
Geoffrey Geiger joined USS in 2007. He has been involved in the growth of the Private Markets Group since inception, today he heads the indirect private equity activities of USS, overseeing a portfolio of over £4 billion across private equity funds a… Read full bio
Michele Giddens OBE
Co-founder & Partner, Bridges Fund Management
Michele co-founded Bridges in 2002 alongside Philip Newborough and Sir Ronald Cohen. As a partner, she focuses on strategy, investor relations, public affairs and social impact assessment. Michele has played a key role in the growth of the impact inv… Read full bio
Charles Gooderham
Partner, ERM
Charles joined ERM as a Partner, based in London, during 2018 focused on the provision of environmental and social (‘E&S’) advisory and due diligence services to the Financial Services sector. He leads climate risk/opportunity strategy and implementa… Read full bio
Michael Hall
ESG Manager, Development Partners International
Michael leads ESG and Impact work at DPI, a private equity firm focused on investing across Africa. With 15 years’ ESG experience, Michael has developed an extensive cross-sector, cross-industry view of the opportunities and challenges of ESG strateg… Read full bio
Alison Hampton
Founder, Alma Verde Advisors
Alison is the founder of Alma Verde Advisors, which she set up to provide consultancy and training services to private equity and other investors on responsible investment strategies. She is also an independent advisor at Sancroft, the sustainability… Read full bio
Kirk Hourdajian
Senior Advisor – Sustainability & ESG, TPG
Kirk Hourdajian advises TPG investment and operations teams on a wide range of sustainability, social impact and value creation initiatives and is based in San Francisco, CA. Prior to TPG, Mr. Hourdajian was a director in PwC’s Sustainable Business S… Read full bio
Roxana Isaiu
Director - Real Estate, GRESB
Roxana Isaiu is Director Real Estate for GRESB. Roxana holds an Msc in Corporate Finance and is responsible for the development and implementation of the ESG standards, as well as the benchmarking methodology for the real estate sector. Since joining… Read full bio
Alan Kao
Principal, Ramboll
Alan Kao is a Principal and Global Service Line Leader for Compliance, Strategy, and Transaction Services (CST) at Ramboll. The CST service line provides a broad range of environmental and social risk services related to the acquisition, operation, g… Read full bio
Ebel Kemeling
Partner & Founder, Spring Associates
Ebel is Partner and Founder of Spring Associates and responsible for the firm’s work in the private equity sector. His work for investors, banks and companies spans the globe, from the US, to Europe to China. Ebel has 20+ years of experience as an ad… Read full bio
Keimpe Keuning
Executive Director, LGT Capital Partners
Keimpe Keuning, CAIA (Dutch) is an executive director at LGT Capital Partners and is responsible for ESG and Sustainability in Private Markets. Prior to joining the firm in 2018, he was investment manager for sustainable private equity at RobecoSAM i… Read full bio
Pooma Kimis
Managing Director, OMFIF
Pooma Kimis became Managing Director at OMFIF on 1 January 2018, having previously been Deputy Managing Director. She continues her responsibilities for building and enhancing relationships with central banks, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds an… Read full bio
Maurice Klaver
Investment Manager, PGGM
Maurice Klaver is Senior Investment Manager within PGGM Private Equity, focused on investing in the sustainable investment themes food security, healthcare, water scarcity and climate. Maurice joined PGGM Private Equity in 2011 and worked until early… Read full bio
Ashley Knight
Investment Associate, Mercer
Ashley Knight is a member of Mercer Private Markets’ investment team in London where she focuses on sourcing, conducting due diligence on and investing across private debt and private equity investments. Previously, she was a Product Specialist at Cr… Read full bio
Natalie Kolbe
Partner - Private Equity, Actis
Natalie joined Actis in 2003 and subsequently became the Partner responsible for the South Africa and West African offices. Natalie was a leading member of the deal teams who led the acquisition of Alexander Forbes, Paycorp, Tekkie Town, Savcio, Trac… Read full bio
Ralph Kretschmer
Founder and Managing Partner, EBG Investment Solutions
Ralph Kretschmer is the Founder and Managing Partner of EBG Investment Solutions AG based in Zurich, Switzerland. Ralph has more than 25 years of experience in sustainable finance and investment management across clean economy private equity, clean i… Read full bio
Ritu Kumar
Director, Environmental and Social Responsibility
Ritu has 20 years of global experience working on environment and social issues. As an economist based in London, she has built up extensive experience in value creation, research, capacity building, and management of environmental and social issues.… Read full bio
Jos Lemmens
Senior Portfolio Manager, APG
Jos is a Senior Portfolio Manager Natural Resources at APG Asset Management. The last 11 years he has been managing a global portfolio of investments mainly in Agriculture & Forestry , in a portfolio which is currently several billion EUR in size. In… Read full bio
Therése Lennehag
Head of Sustainability, EQT Partners
Therése Lennehag is Head of Sustainability at EQT since 2014. Since joining EQT Partners in 2009, she has worked closely with the organization on integrating responsible investment and ownership practices to capture the investment and business opport… Read full bio
Barbara Levéel
Head of HR for Global Markets & FIC, BNP Paribas
Barbara Levéel joined BNP Paribas in 2002 from Argentina, working across disciplines and inter-departmentally. In 2014 Barbara was appointed to Head of Diversity and HR CSR. From there, she took on the role of Head of Human Resources for Global Marke… Read full bio
Youri Lie
Manager Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY
Youri is a manager in EY’s climate change and sustainability services practice. He works with investors in both public and private markets on their ESG an climate change strategies and integration. An accountant by trade, Youri worked at KPMG, the Gl… Read full bio
Caroline Löfgren
Head of Responsible Investment, Hg
As Head of Responsible Investment at PE firm Hg, Caroline covers all Environment, Social and Governance related topics at Hg and their portfolio. Caroline is part of both the Client Services and Operations Innovation teams, and is working actively wi… Read full bio
David Lomas
Managing Director - Global Head BAS, BlackRock
David A. Lomas, ACII, Managing Director, is Global Head of BlackRock Alternatives Specialists (BAS) driving client engagement across investment and distribution teams. He is a member of the EMEA Executive Steering Committee, the BlackRock Alternative… Read full bio
Rob Lucas
Managing Partner, CVC Capital Partners
Rob is the European-based Co-Chairman of CVC’s Private Equity Board for all of Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. He also directly leads CVC’s Private Equity business in London and the UK and over-sees Sports, Entertainment & Media investing g… Read full bio
Michèle Meier
Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibilities - Ivanhoé Cambridge Inc.
A dynamic, passionate and highly engaged leader, Michèle Meier is, since 2012, the global head of corporate communications, marketing and social responsibility at Ivanhoé Cambridge. She has more than 25 years of experience in these functions within a… Read full bio
Oliver Millet
Member of the Eurazeo Executive Board and Chairman of the Eurazeo PME Executive Board
Chairman of the Eurazeo PME Executive Board since 2005, Olivier is also member of the Executive Board of Eurazeo since march 2018, Olivier Millet was Chairman of France Invest (ex AFIC – the French Private Equity Association) (2016-2018), also Vice-C… Read full bio
Carmela Mondino
Associate, ESG & Sustainability, Partners Group
Carmela Mondino is part of the Industry Value Creation business unit's ESG & Sustainability team, based in Zug. Prior to joining Partners Group, she worked at Total, adidas and Lonza. She holds a master's degree in petroleum engineering from the Buen… Read full bio
Tapiwa Muranda
Investment Officer, Leapfrog Investments
Tapiwa is a pivotal member of LeapFrog’s Africa investment team and helps drive deals across the continent and expand LeapFrog’s Africa footprint. An outstanding finance professional, Tapiwa has rich accounting and consulting experience. Before joini… Read full bio
Mary Nicholson
Global Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets
Mary is responsible for all aspects of MIRA’s risk, control and assurance framework including providing direct independent risk reporting through to Macquarie Group’s Risk Management Group and Board. She coordinates each fund’s strategy in respect of… Read full bio
Shami Nissan
Head, Responsible Investment, Actis
“We have repeatedly seen that investing responsibly creates businesses that are better able to manage ESG risks and opportunities; they are more resilient, more innovative, more able to deliver measurable societal benefits – and ultimately more valua… Read full bio
Mark de Nooij
Senior Portfolio Manager, MN
Mark is a senior fund manager at the MN where his focus is on less common investments, including forestry. Over the last couple of years, he got passionate about what forestry as an asset class has to offer. Previously, Mark worked as portfolio manag… Read full bio
Amy O'Brien
SMD - Head of Responsible Investing, Nuveen
Amy leads a 18 member team and is responsible for creating the firm’s holistic RI vision and unified framework across Nuveen and TIAA, partnering with internal stakeholders on implementation in day-to-day business activities. The framework establishe… Read full bio
Emmanuel Parmentier
Partner, INDEFI
Emmanuel Parmentier is a Partner at INDEFI, the leading strategy advisor for the investment management business in Europe.He leads the Group’s ESG advisory practice for financial investors (private equity firms, asset managers and institutional inves… Read full bio
Rachel Pasternack
Global Strategies Program Advisor, The Nature Conservancy
Rachel is the Global Strategies Program Advisor on the Forestry & Wood Products Team at The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Rachel manages the Reforestation Accelerator Initiative, and also works with other TNC programs which seek to catalyse restoration a… Read full bio
Fiona Place
Associate Director, Anthesis
Fiona is a senior member of the UK Anthesis business and leads a practice focused on ESG strategy and risk management. She is an experienced sustainability professional with over 15 years experience, delivering complex projects to the corporate secto… Read full bio
Helen Pradas-Page
Head of ESG, Sustainable & Responsible Investment, Acre
For the last eight years Helen has dedicated herself to ESG, sustainable and responsible investment executive search, across Europe and internationally. Delivering on retained projects for senior executives and teams within private equity firms, inve… Read full bio
Fiona Reynolds
CEO, PRI Association
Fiona Reynolds is the CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is a U.N. supported organisation, with more than 2,200 signatories who collectively represent over US $82 trillion in Assets Under Management. The PRI is the major… Read full bio
Jackie Roberts
Chief Sustainability Officer, The Carlyle Group
Jackie Roberts is the Chief Sustainability Officer for The Carlyle Group. She is based in Washington, DC. Prior to joining Carlyle, Ms. Roberts spent 17 years at the Environmental Defense Fund where she launched and led the first-ever NGO-Business Co… Read full bio
Valeria Rosati
Senior Partner, Vantage Infrastructure
Valeria joined the business in 2006 and has two decades of relevant experience. Based in London, Valeria leads Equity asset management and is the joint portfolio manager of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group Pension Fund’s unlisted infrastructure manda… Read full bio
Tom Rotherham-Winqvist
Managing Director, Wafra
Tom Rotherham-Winqvist joined Wafra in November 2018. He previously spent 5 years at the Institutional Investors Roundtable (IIR) and Fiduciary Investors Roundtable for Collaboration and Partnerships (FIRCAP), asset-only platforms created to promote… Read full bio
Anna Ryott
Chairperson, Summa Equity
Anna Ryott is Chair of Board at Summa Equity. Summa Equity use investments as a tool to create a better world and at the same time deliver high returns. Anna is also on the board of Norrsken Foundation, Axel Johnson AB, UNF Global Entrepreneurs Counc… Read full bio
Avantika Saisekar
Director - Sustainable Investment Group
Avantika Saisekar is a Director at Wafra, leading the firm’s Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) investment initiatives with an emphasis on ESG Integretproduct development and innovation. Previously, Ms. Saisekar served as the Head of Institutio… Read full bio
Maaike van der Schoot
Responsible Investment Officer, AlpInvest Partners
Maaike van der Schoot is AlpInvest Partner’s Responsible Investment Officer and oversees the development and implementation of the Responsible Investment policy. She joined AlpInvest Partners in 2002. Prior to her current role, she was an investment… Read full bio
Adinah Shackleton
Head of ESG, Permira
Adinah is Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) at Permira. Since 2015, Adinah has been responsible for running and further developing Permira’s ESG activities. Adinah is a member of the Portfolio Group at Permira, the team that works with… Read full bio
Greg Shell
Managing Director – Double Impact, Bain Capital
Greg Shell joined Bain Capital as a Managing Director in 2016. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Mr. Shell served as a Lead Portfolio Manager of a concentrated Global Equity product at GMO. Previously, Mr. Shell was a Senior Equity Analyst at Columbia M… Read full bio
Kaori Shigiya
Head of Sustainable Development Goals, PRI
Kaori gained BSc in Economics and Accounting before qualilfying as lawyer. She worked on corporate finance transactions at Norton Rose and Linklaters in Moscow, Prague, London and Tokyo. She went onto study MBA at INSEAD, after which she worked for L… Read full bio
Chris Strathon
Director - Valuation Advisory, JLL
Chris Strathon FRICS is the Lead Director of the Corporates and Specialist Valuation team at JLL. He has undertaken valuations on behalf of international corporate occupiers, public sector bodies, property companies and funds and banks. Chris has val… Read full bio
Tomas Sys
Principal Consultant, Ramboll
Tomas Sys leads Ramboll’s Compliance, Strategy, and Transaction Services (CST) in the UK. The CST service line provides a broad range of environmental, health & safety and social risk services supporting global investors throughout the entire investm… Read full bio
Sandy Trust
Senior Manager, EY
Sandy has recently joined EY as a senior manager in the wealth and asset management team. In his new role, Sandy will focus on long term value in the investment space, covering areas such as ESG, climate change and sustainability for investors. Sandy… Read full bio
Christopher Walker
Principal, HarbourVest Partners
Christopher Walker joined the Firm in 1998 as an associate in the secondary partnership group. In 1999, he joined the primary partnership group and has focused most of his efforts on US venture capital and buyout investments. Chris also has extensive… Read full bio
Derk Welling
Senior Responsible Investment & Governance Specialist, APG Asset Management
Derk Welling is Senior Responsible Investment & Governance specialist at APG Asset Management, focusing on real estate and infrastructure investments. He is a member of the GRESB Infra Advisory Board and also a member of the INREV Sustainability Comm… Read full bio
Simon Whistler
Senior Manager, UNPRI
Simon joined the PRI in June 2018 as a Senior Manager, focusing on real assets, including infrastructure and forestry. He works with the investor community to support their understanding and implementation of responsible investment processes within d… Read full bio
Simon Witney
Special Counsel, Debevoise & Plimpton
Simon Witney is a Special Counsel in the London office of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Mr. Witney is one of the market’s most prominent private equity lawyers. Both Real Deals magazine and Private Equity International magazine have named him amongst the… Read full bio
Joy Williams
Senior Advisor, Mantle
Joy Williams brings a multi-disciplinary approach to climate change and other environmental, social and governance issues. She made the move from traditional engineering to environmental and climate change issues over 15 years ago and has since worke… Read full bio
Ian Williamson
Director - Real Estate, BlackRock Real Assets
Ian Williamson, Director, is a member of BlackRock's Real Estate Team. He is Portfolio Manager for BlackRock Eurozone Core Property Fund ("Euro Core") and has overall responsibility for the Fund. Prior to joining BlackRock in January 2018, Ian was a… Read full bio
Angela Willetts
Managing Director - Co-Chair of Responsible Investment Committee, Capital Dynamics
Angela is a Managing Director and Co-Chair of Responsible Investment Committee. She has over 30 years of experience evaluating, selecting, and monitoring private equity fund investments. Prior to joining Capital Dynamics, Angela was at the West Midla… Read full bio
Eva Yazhari
CEO
Eva Yazhari is a CEO with 14 years of experience working in the venture investment and asset management industries. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Capital Fund (“Beyond Capital”), an early-stage investment fund that improves the lives of 2.6… Read full bio
Sponsorship opportunities
The Responsible Investment Forum offers a unique opportunity for organisations to raise their profile as a part of the premier meeting for Private Equity professionals focused on investing responsibly.
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities contact Christopher Wagland, chris.w@peimedia.com +44 (0) 0207 566 5475.
Download your copy of the 2019 sponsorship brochure here.
Pre-Event Resources
Countless networking opportunities
Connect with other professionals interested in ESG and responsible investment
As the largest global event focused on ESG in private equity bringing together more than 250 senior GPs and LPs to discuss the state of the industry and discover how implementing ESG can add tangible value.
Informal relationship building
Join your peers during the 10th anniversary cocktail reception, invitation only LP and GP breakfasts, as well as Forum lunches to connect with potential partners in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Structured networking
Structured networking sessions will be held during the day in the form of Oxford style debates, roundtable discussions and conference networking breaks to allow you to identify attendees with similar interests and goals.
