Responsible investment - to divest or to engage?POSTPONED

For many charity investors historically the decision has been taken to avoid sectors which they feel do not align with their principles. For many that still feels the right thing to do. However the argument that investors are able to effect more change by remaining invested in companies and engaging with them on environmental, social and governance matters has gained more traction. In this roundtable we will look at:

• The differences between taking an exclusionary approach (ethical) versus an engagement approach (responsible investing)
• What are the drivers for the growth in interest in environmental, social and governance factors?
• How do charity investors decide on what is the right approach for them?

Breakfast will be served from 8.00 AM and the session will begin at 8.15. 

Speakers

Gemma Woodward, Executive Director, Quilter Cheviot 

Gemma is responsible for managing charity portfolios as well as developing the company-wide approach to responsible investment and the faith-based investment offering. She has over twenty years' industry experience and has spent the majority of that time focused on the charity sector and specifically clients with complex ethical and socially responsible investment requirements. Gemma is a governor of Rugby School and a Trustee of The Book Trade Charity (BTBS); additionally she is an independent investment advisor to the University of Birmingham’s investment committee.

Greg Kearney, Responsible Investment Analyst, Quilter Cheviot

Greg joined Quilter Cheviot in 2019 from the UN supported Principles for Responsible Investment. Prior to this, he worked in the fund research team at Cambridge Associates. His role is to ensure we act as stewards of our clients’ assets in order to protect and enhance long-term returns. Greg engages with companies and funds to better understand how they assess environmental, social and governance risks (as well as opportunities). He graduated from the University of York with a master’s degree in International Political Economy.

     This breakfast seminar is kindly supported by Quilter Cheviot.