Date: Two sessions are being held, as follows:

• Wednesday 17th May 2023
• Thursday 18th May 2023

Description: One year on from the FT’s asset management conference in 2022, it is fair to look back and say that Stuart Kirk’s controversial presentation – “Why investors need not worry about climate change” – included some core truths (if outweighed by flawed illustrations and fallacious tropes). Too much attention is being placed on disclosures, there is an over-reliance on spurious modelling, and not enough focus on managing the risks and taking advantage of the opportunities presented by climate change. Nick Spencer will first address why climate-linked sustainability risks are significant and will illustrate that as leaders in the investment industry with true influence, Chief Risk Officers and INEDs own these risks today. Worrying won’t help – so what actions can be taken? Can identifying and taking advantage of the opportunities on offer help with motivation and engagement? How do firms build resilience in the short- to medium-term, and what options do they have for managing these evolving and intensifying risks in the long term?

Nick Spencer is a past chair of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Sustainability Board, an award-winning thought leader on sustainable investing and one of the leading voices in the UK Investment Advisory industry. Nick has over three decades’ experience combining advisory, solutions and business development with firms such as Russell Investments and Aon, and working closely with world-class investors across every asset class. He is noted for the thought given to every major intellectual investment challenge and looks to drive change today by developing the capabilities to meet the challenges of tomorrow. In 2018, Nick founded Gordian Advice to help institutional investors integrate responsible investing into their investment portfolios and strategies.