INTERNATIONAL law firm CMS is joining forces with Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), the representative body for Scotland’s financial services industry, and pension experts Hymans Robertson to host an event exploring the growing focus on ESG within pensions policy.
With increasing political and policy attention on the social and governance aspects of ESG, the seminar will explore how pension fund assets can be utilised for long term projects. Expert speakers will run through some of the key tensions between policy intentions and existing legislative and fiduciary duties applying to pensions.
The event will also explore the rise in patient capital as an effective means in meeting sustainability objectives with many asset owners adopting a long-term strategy by investing in projects such as renewable energy and its associated infrastructure, forestry and other natural capital assets.
The free-to-attend in-person seminar is being held on Tuesday, 23 April from 8.30 – 10.00 at CMS’s Edinburgh office on Castle Terrace.
Karagh Gilliatt, a partner and financial services specialist at CMS, is among the key speakers who will address the seminar. She said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with SFE and Hymans Robertson to stage this insightful event which looks at the rising focus of ESG within pension funds.
“The growing political focus on patient capital and other ESG-related matters to enhance member value is a key driver determining future decision making on pension investments. We will outline how this development will continue to impact pension fund asset owners and set out some of the key benefits that this can deliver in terms of driving investment into the UK economy.
Amanda Cooke, a senior associate in the pensions team who will chair the event, said: “The growing political focus on patient capital and the “S” of ESG-related matters for pension investment can create tensions between policy and existing legislative and fiduciary duties. The pressure to enhance member value is a key driver determining future decision making on pension investments so this is a timely discussion of the opportunities and difficulties of patient or long-term capital.
“We will outline how this development will continue to impact pension fund asset owners and set out some of the key benefits that this can deliver in terms of driving investment into the UK economy.“
More details on the event, which is open to all SFE members, can be found here
