International
Responsible Investment Forum: Europe London 2021
9 - 10 November 2021,
Hilton Tower Bridge, London
The longest running global event for ESG in private markets
The longest-running private equity forum focused on bringing together fund managers, institutional investors, and expert advisors to discuss ESG issues across alternative asset classes will return to London on 9-10 November, co-hosted with the PRI.
The key theme for this year will be climate change, the route to net-zero, and the rise of impact investing. Hear from the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance who will discuss their approach, expectations of managers and the impact on capital allocation.
Connect with your peers through interactive workshops, networking breaks, evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions and invite-only breakfasts. Build lasting relationships and compare best practices with other responsible investment investors and fund managers.
Book now to be a part of the must-attend event for alternative asset professionals with an interest in ESG and responsible investment. There will be additional opportunities for those unable to travel to participate remotely.
Co-hosted with
What can you expect at the Responsible Investment Forum?
Event content with value
The key theme for this year will be climate change and the route to net-zero. Learn from industry experts and get insight into the path to net-zero, sustainable value creation, the rise of impact investing, making data useful for investors and fund managers, an EU and SFDR regulatory update, as well as ESG approaches in the US and Japan.
Build a valuable network
Connect with industry participants in all aspects of responsible investment. Network in-person at interactive workshops, networking breaks, evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions and invite-only breakfasts. Build lasting relationships and compare best practices with your peers.
Meet institutional investors
Hear from institutional investors who are looking to increase their exposure in the industry. Benefit from our expansive European investor community who will be in attendance throughout the forum. Current investors include AP6, Dai-ichi Life International, EBRD, Phoenix Group, World Bank Pension, and many more.
Keynote speaker
Hear from Christian Sinding, CEO and Managing Partner of EQT on what moving to net-zero practically means for private equity. Discover practical steps for developing an approach to ESG at the longest-running private equity event focused on sustainability.
Agenda highlight: Impact investment
In our dedicated impact investment stream, hear from industry leaders creating scalable, positive change and explore how you can implement impact principles and methodologies into your portfolio to create greater value.
- The continued rise of impact investment in private markets
- Investor expectations on impact
- Is standardisation on reporting of impact any closer?
Speakers confirmed in 2021
Connect with responsible investment and ESG professionals
Testimonials from attendees
Anna Follรฉr
Sustainability Manager, AP6
As an investor in private equity only, the PEI Responsible Investment Forum is our number one go to event for learning, sharing and networking around ESG.
Clara Camara
Legal Counsel, Crest Capital Partners
As a first-time attendee, it was very useful to understand the urgency of being more demanding with ourselves and with portfolio companies. It was great to learโฆ
Delilah Rothenberg
Executive Director & Founding Member, Predistribution Initiative
The forum is one of my top go-to events every year. It is a key meeting point for industry professionals to learn from and get to know one another.
View the 2021 agenda
The Responsible Investment Forum: Europe will take place on 9-10 November, all timings are in GMT, UK time zone.
For more information on the agenda, please contact Charles Gould.
charles.g@peimedia.com | +44 (0)203 879 3893
Agenda
Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2021 - Tuesday 9th
Chairโs introduction
Christopher Springham
Formerly VP - Communications and Sustainability, LM Wind Power GE Renewable Energy Business
Read bioPRI update
The ICI journey: interpreting and acting on the latest guidance
- Update on latest guidance from the ICI, what are the priorities?
- How collaboration can help PE lead the way
- Meeting net zero within the churn nature of a PE portfolio
- What are the main highlights from the latest guidance?
Net-zero asset owners: how investors are aligning themselves with the Paris agreement
- Update on latest initiatives and opportunities for convergence
- How are asset owners getting to net zero? Is capital allocation being impacted?
- How are LPs assessing managers on commitment to net zero?
- Priorities for the next five years asset owners
Moderator: Vikram Raju, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley AIP
Keynote interview: what moving to net zero practically means for private equity
An Introduction to the Science Based Targets Guidance for Private Equity
Coffee & networking
Sustainable value creation: How ESG has moved from a cost centre to a value driver
- Getting buy-in from the investment team, how are the heads of ESG working with the deal partners?
- Working via underlying GPs to create value through ESG
- Partnering with portfolio companies to create value through ESG
- Examples of work on ESG adding to multiple paid at exit
Moderator: Tomas Sys, Principal, UK M&A and ESG Advisory Lead, Ramboll
Case study: outlining how a leading GP has approached climate across its entire portfolio
- Simplifying the approach to climate across the business
- The challenge of measuring carbon footprint of all portfolio companies
- How data has been utilised to manage risks and opportunities associated with climate
- How transforming the approach to climate has had a positive impact on returns
Making data useful: are we drowning in ESG data?
- How can service providers make their offerings more relevant to private markets?
- To what extent are the reams of data being made use of?
- How are LP requests changing?
- How best to engage with the portfolio on data requests
Lunch
The continued rise of impact investment in private markets
- Outlining the considerations for a traditional GP launching an impact strategy
- Dedicated funds vs integration with ESG: to what extent are the two worlds merging?
- What can PE funds moving into impact learn from impact specialists? How do strategies differ?
Moderator: Emmanuel Parmentier, Managing Partner, Indefi
Investor expectations on impact
- Can impact be on parity with returns in?
- Do investors need to adjust their mandates to account for impact performance?
- What data do investors want to see and which frameworks are they using?
- To what extent are investors concerned by greenwashing?
Is standardisation on reporting of impact any closer?
- Update on the impact management project and other methodologies
- What frameworks are funds using to demonstrate impact?
- How will things develop in the next decade as the space grows?
To what extent is ESG now fully incorporated within the private debt investment process?
- Update on the latest initiatives around private debt and ESG
- What are the remaining barriers to ESG implementation in private credit?
- How are LP demands around ESG on credit investments changing?
How managing climate risk is crucial to driving returns in infrastructure investment
- Possible implications of COP 26 on infrastructure investors
- Assessing climate risk within a typical infrastructure portfolio
- Opportunities created by the move to net-zero
Abhisheik Dhawan
Sustainable Finance and Partnerships Specialist, United Nations Capital Development Fund
Read bioWhy ESG is crucial to driving returns in real estate investments
- Proving the value of investing responsibly
- Risk/return profile of impact investing
- Engaging with landlords and tenants on ESG
- Opportunities of net-zero buildings and danger of value destruction for older buildings not meeting ESG credentials
Keynote discussion: Spotlight on Global Best Practices and Lessons from Japan
- Comparing implementation in Japan to elsewhere in the world
- What are Japanese LPs demanding on ESG? Are allocations being made based on ESG merit?
- How are Japanese GPs innovating when it comes to ESG?
Peter Dunbar, Private Equity Specialist, UNPRI
in conversation with
Jun Tsusaka, CEO, CIO and Chairman of ESG Committee, NSSK
Keynote discussion: Spotlight on North America
- Will the new Biden administration will boost ESG in the States in all areas of investment?
- Is the US still lagging behind Europe or is this an outdated view?
- How is impact taking hold in US beyond the mega funds?
Alan Kao, Principal, Ramboll
Networking Roundtable Discussions: Emerging topics
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
- ESG in venture: Alison Hampton (Alma Verde Advisors)
- Biodiversity: Manuela Fumarola (Aberdeen Standard Investments)
- ESG in secondaries: Adam Black (Coller Capital)
- Data: Emma Bickerstaffe (MJ Hudson)
- B-corps: Phil Davis (Helios Investment Partners)
- Remuneration: Corinne Carr (PeopleNet Ltd)
- ESG Linked Credit Facilities: Maarten Biermans (Rabobank Capital Markets)
- Value creation: Valeria Rosati (Vantage Infrastructure)
Drinks Reception
Agenda
Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2021 - Wednesday 10th
Chairโs introduction
Christopher Springham
Formerly VP - Communications and Sustainability, LM Wind Power GE Renewable Energy Business
Read bioNet Zero - Action at portfolio level
- Net Zero by 2050 โ why is this a GP problem?
- Short-termism โ why interim targets matter and how to set them credibly?
- Ensuring alignment between the GP and portfolio company on the Net Zero imperative
- Where to start? Practical tips for a decarbonisation roadmap
Case study: highlighting why net-zero initiatives are a value creation necessity for PE
- Starting on the journey and integrating it within value creation plans
- Outlining opportunities of full value chain transformation
- How have the firm engaged senior management within portfolio companies?
Climate change considerations in portfolio management
- Why and how investing in climate can drive returns
- Finding investment opportunities in carbon reduction
- Assessing transition risks vs physical risks based on possible response scenarios
- Case studies of adding value to investments
Coffee & networking
Defining what is meant by human rights for PE investors and how to address any issuesl response to climate change?
- What is the level of responsibility for managers?
- Valuing human rights during due diligence
- How to react when there is an issue within your supply chain with practical examples
- New regulations on modern slavery and what it means for fund managers
Practical ways to address diversity within a PE portfolio
- Are LPs demanding enough? To what extent are allocations being impacted?
- Working with portfolio companies when your own house may not be in order
- Examples of how targets and new initiatives have moved the needle
- Moving beyond just gender diversity
Regulatory update: where are we now and preparing yourself for upcoming changes
- Snapshot of where the industry is with SFDR
- What are the implications of the new SFDR guidance?
- How is the EU taxonomy shaping strategy?
- Whatโs coming next in Europe and globally?
Lunch
A Deeper Dive and Q&A on the Science Based Targets Guidance for Private Equity
Regulatory networking workshop
Led by Travers Smith the room will be split up into small group discussions to discuss the latest developments in regulation and practical approaches to them.
Room breaks up into roundtable discussions
Legal and regulatory deep dives
14:00-14:45
- EU taxonomy reporting for companies and asset managers
Hosted by Danny Riding (Travers Smith)
- Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace: responding to #MeToo and other topical issues for portfolio companies
Hosted by Siรขn Keall (Travers Smith) - ESG-linked financial incentives
Hosted by Katie McMenamin & George Weavil (Travers Smith)
14:45-15:30
Another session of roundtables so delegates can cover another set of topics;
- Legal and regulatory acquisition due diligence and exit planning
Hosted by Doug Bryden (Travers Smith) - Portfolio company governance best practices
Hosted by Simon Witney (Travers Smith) - Tax governance and ethics
Hosted by Madeline Gowlett (Travers Smith)
Speakers confirmed for 2021
For more information on speaking opportunities please contact Charles Gould.
charles.g@peimedia.com | +44 (0)203 879 3893
Abhisheik Dhawan
Sustainable Finance and Partnerships Specialist, United Nations Capital Development Fund
Christopher Springham
Formerly VP - Communications and Sustainability, LM Wind Power GE Renewable Energy Business
Sponsorship opportunities
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities please fill in the enquiry form.
holly.j@peimedia.com | +44 (0)20 7566 5444
Network with the European responsible investment industry
In its 12th year, the forum is a firmly established event in the industryโs calendar. Join 300+ attendees this November 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 European investor community who will be in attendance throughout the forum.
Network in-person once again
Connect with your peers at interactive workshops, networking breaks, evening drinks reception, roundtable discussions and invite-only breakfasts.
Build new connections at the forum
Current investors include AP6, Dai-ichi Life International, EBRD, Phoenix Group, World Bank Pension, and many more.
Pre-Event Resources
Past attendee list
Previous attendees included Civen, DWS, EBRD, Exponent Private Equity, Hg, Montagu Private Equity, Pension Protection Fund, Stepstone Group, YIELCO Investments, and many more.
Covid precautions
To help keep you and our colleagues safe, we have embraced the following principles to ensure the smooth running of our event portfolio, globally.
Planning and risk assessment
The Responsible Investment: Forum Europe has a detailed plan and risk assessment in light of local government and health authority frameworks, now specific to the Covid pandemic. Our staff are working to event industry protocols to minimise and mitigate risk.
Entry requirements
Fully vaccinated โ You are required to show an official vaccine certificate and a negative lateral flow/rapid antigen test which must be done within 24 hours of arrival at the event venue.
Not fully vaccinated โ You are required to show evidence of a negative lateral flow/antigen test each day of the event.
Cleanliness
PEI is working with our venue partners to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. This includes a deep clean pre-event and continuous sanitisation during the event, with a focus on high-contact areas such as lifts, staircases, door handles, restrooms and food and beverage delivery points.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Attendees and staff at all PEI events may be required to use items of PPE in accordance with local government and health authority regulations. This could include wearing a face covering, the use of gloves and/or face screens in certain parts of the venue.
Contactless
Where possible PEI will encourage attendees to minimise their contacts. This includes the event registration process and also contact between attendees. PEI encourages all attendees to avoid close social contact such as hand-shakes and to find digital alternatives to exchanging details rather than business cards.
Attendee numbers and density
PEI will assess and manage in line with local government and health authority mandates the number of delegates in the event space and the flow of attendee traffic in and out of plenary and break-out rooms and around exhibition rooms and other meeting spaces.
Personal hygiene
In tandem with venue measures, PEI encourages attendees to take full advantage of hand sanitisation stations around the venue.
Track and trace
We will work with local authorities as required to track, trace and contact attendees in line with the applicable privacy legislation.
Medical
Qualified first-aid staff will be ready to assist anyone falling ill for whatever reason. In the event of any attendee suffering Covid-related symptoms, the PEI team will follow local health guidance in ensuring the safety of all participants.