Ethical Finance 2019 (EF2019) was organised by the Global Ethical Finance Initiative, which oversees, organises and coordinates a series of programmes to promote finance for positive change. GEFI annually hosts in Edinburgh the premier platform that convenes the world’s foremost business, political, civic and social leaders of society to network, share, co-develop and shape a fairer, more sustainable financial system.
With the Bank of England recognising climate change as a core financial risk, the proliferation of the UN SDGs and the ongoing dichotomy for asset managers wrestling with the social impact versus economic return conundrum; the financial system is undergoing material transformational challenge.
Organised in partnership with UNDP and the Scottish Government, Ethical Finance 2019 convened over 350 leading finance practitioners from across the globe to help define and shape the transition to a sustainable financial system where finance delivers positive change.
Video Highlights
Rt. Hon Gordon Brown
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister of Scotland
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby
Archbishop of Canterbury
Michael Moe
Co-Founder, GSV Asset Management / Co-Founder, CEO, CIO, GSV Capital
Dame Susan Rice
Non-Practitioner Member, Banking Standards Board
Sir Roger Gifford
Chair, Green Finance Institute
David Pitt-Watson
Consultant Investor and Author
Sarah Breeden
Executive Director, UK Deposit Takers Supervision
Saker Nusseibeh
CEO, Hermes Investment Management
Driving Finance for Positive Change
1 Minute Highlights
Testimonials
“Excellent conference, very well organised with great venue and speakers. We appreciate the introductions you made for us which will be valuable.”
CEO, UK bank
“Congratulations on organising such a successful conference. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and panel discussions and the opportunity to make some great contacts.”
Head of Department, global asset manager
“I really enjoyed myself, learnt something new and met new interesting people which in combination is always a sign of a fantastic event. I can appreciate how much effort must have been invested in ensuring that everything was of this high quality and ran smoothly so very well done.”
Managing Director, global advisory
“Thank you so much for such an amazing event which we fully enjoyed. There was a lot of interesting and thought-provoking ideas addressed and raised at the conference.”
Director, global bank
“Let me congratulate you on a spectacularly successful conference. I loved it, really meaningful discussions, really very interesting. Congratulations also to the speakers for their insights and eloquence. Excellent event.”
CEO, global data provider
“It’s easy to get jaded about attending events, but when they are put together so thoughtfully, with a range of excellent speakers and moderators, and where the only things that are pitched to you are ideas, considered views and best practice examples, it really is a breath of fresh air. Well done to all at Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) for putting on an outstanding event. I’ve never found it easier to pay attention for a whole day.”
Managing Director, UK advisory
“What is unique about GEFI is your holistic/systemic approach to the issues and your truly impressive convening power across the full range of stakeholders – the audience and the speakers. That doesn’t come about without a clear vision and a lot of hard work – congratulations on the success of that! A truly impressive event!”
Managing Director, European bank
“It was a consistently superb event – it certainly gave me a good boost of confidence in the future.”
Special Advisor, European bank
“What an amazing 2 days we had in Edinburgh, lots to be energised about and take forwards, not least new connections.”
CEO, UK credit union
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak at such a well-executed, well curated conference. I had a great time listening and meeting new people. Well done.”
Senior Director – American think tank
“It was my pleasure. You and the team did an excellent job. The event had energy, humour and purpose.”
Trust Executive, UK foundation
“Many thanks for the invitation – I thoroughly enjoyed contributing to the debate.”
Executive Director, Central Bank
Summary Agenda
Day 1 : Purpose, culture and sustainability
The first day of the conference focused on embedding sustainability into the business models of financial institutions. It looked at how companies are responding to socioeconomic, environmental, technological and regulatory drivers to shape their internal culture, accelerate green finance and finance in support of the SDGs and leverage fintech innovations.
Topics
Financing Sustainability: Designing for A Future on Earth
Reforming Banking Culture – How do we Restore Trust and Confidence?
SDGs and the UN Principles for Responsible Banking
FinTech for Good
Accelerating Green Finance
The Scottish Government hosted the conference reception in Edinburgh Castle’s magnificent Great Hall on Tuesday 8th October 2019. Following the reception, guests were invited for a private viewing of the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels).
Day 2 : A New Investment Paradigm
The second day explored the new ethical investment paradigm. It considered the challenges around changing ESG data needs, asset owner appetite, innovative blended financial instruments and how asset managers are constructing new strategies to meet evolving demand.
Topics
Data Paradigm Shift – Exploring ESG Data Needs
Measuring Impact
Values-Based Investing – an Asset Owner Perspective
Innovative Financing Structures and Using Blended Capital
Finance for Sustainable Supply Chains
Speakers
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby
Archbishop of Canterbury
(Video address)
Dame Susan Rice
Non-Practitioner Member, Banking Standards Board
Sir Roger Gifford
Chair, Green Finance Institute
Sarah Breeden
Executive Director, UK Deposit Takers Supervision
Nicola Sturgeon, MSP
First Minister, Scottish Government
Saker Nusseibeh
CEO, Hermes Investment Management
Dr Lena Wilson CBE
Non-executive Director,
Royal Bank of Scotland
David Pitt-Watson
Consultant Investor and Author
Gary Gillespie
Chief Economist,
Scottish Government
Amy Clarke
Co-Founder and Partner,
Tribe Impact Capital
Michael Moe
Co-Founder, GSV Asset Management / Co-Founder, CEO, CIO, GSV Capital
David Blunt
Head of Conduct Specialists Department, Supervision – Financial Conduct Authority
Jamison Ervin
Manager, Nature for Development Program – UNDP
Dr Costanza Russo
Senior Lecturer in International Banking Law and Business Ethics – Queen Mary University of London
Nick Silver
Co-founder, Climate Bonds Initiative
Stephen Ingledew
CEO, Fintech Scotland
JB Beckett
Author, New Fund Order
Russell Napier
Keeper, Library of Mistakes
Simon Thompson
CEO, Chartered Banker Institute
Omar Shaikh
Managing Director, GEFI
Robert King
Head of Sustainable Finance, HSBC
Iona Bain
Founder, Young Money Blog
Brian Henderson
Partner – Director of Consulting, Mercer
Christine Bamford
Founder and CEO, Women’s Coin
Charles Haresnape
CEO, Gatehouse Bank
Elaine Priest
Chief Data Officer, RBS
Georgia Stewart
Co-Founder, Tumelo
Robert Waugh
Chief Investment Officer, RBS
Luba Nikulina
Global Head of Research, Willis Towers Watson
Andrew Cave
Head of Governance and Sustainability, Baillie Gifford
Caitlin MacLean
Senior Director, Innovative Finance, Milken Institute
Stephen Hibbert
Global Lead Energy Transition,
Energy Sector,
ING Wholesale Banking
Margarita Pirovska
Head of Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century, PRI/UNEP FI
Benny Higgins
Strategic Adviser, Scottish National Investment Bank
Sian Ferguson
Trust Executive, Ashden, Mark Leonard and JJ Charitable Trusts
Phil Gosset
Senior Innovation Manager, Nationwide Building Society
Kaisie Rayner
Senior Manager – Responsible Investment & Fund Development, Scottish Widows
James Dauman
Managing Director, Southeast Asia R.J. Fleming & Co.
Tan Sri Dato Azman Mokhtar
Former MD, Khazanah Nasional Berhad
Dr Richard Mattison
Chief Executive Officer, Trucost (part of S&P Global)
Colin Baines
Investment Engagement Manager, Friends Provident Foundation
Giles Cuthbert
MD, Chartered Banker Institute
Axel Thorson
CTO and Co-founder, Ekofolio
Catherine Howarth
Chief Executive Officer, ShareAction
Peter Rutter
Head of Global Equities , Royal London Asset Management
Clare Foster
Head of Clean Energy,
Shepherd & Wedderburn
Dr Adesola Adeduntan
CEO, First Bank of Nigeria
Maggie Loo
Partner, Bridges Fund Management
Corinne Carr
Director, PeopleNet
Katherine Stodulka
Programme Director, Blended Finance Taskforce at SYSTEMIQ
Datuk Noripah Kamso
Chairman, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia
Bill McCall
President, Chartered Banker Institute
Liesel van Ast
Membership and Regional Coordination Manager, UNEP FI
Dr. Raj Thamotheram
Founder & Chair, Preventable Surprises
Lord John Alderdice
Peer, House of Lords
Dr. Angela Falconer
Associate Director, Climate Policy Initiative
James Vaccaro
Special Advisor, Triodos Bank
Frederik Claasen
Head of Policy and Strategy, Solidaridad Network
Antti Savilaakso
Researcher & Partner, Impact-Cubed
Abdur Nimeri
Senior Vice President, Northern Trust Asset Management
Simon Connell
Head of Sustainability Strategy,
Standard Chartered Bank
Louise Wilson
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Abundance
Scotland – A Proud Heritage
Scotland has a proud heritage in ethical finance dating back over 300 years. From Adam Smith, renowned as the father of modern economics, to the Reverend Henry Duncan, founder of the world’s first commercial savings bank, Scotland has been a pioneer in financial innovation and the development of professional standards. This, along with our current strength in financial services, places Edinburgh as the ideal destination to host leading global experts committed to driving this exciting agenda forward.
Strength in depth: Five areas of Scotland’s strength
- Banking: 44,000 people are employed in Scotland (11% of UK total)
- Insurance and Long-Term Savings: 23,000 people are employed in Scotland (7% of UK total)
- Asset Management: 7,500 people are employed in Scotland (20% of UK total)
- Asset Servicing: Six asset servicing businesses employ over 3,000 people in Scotland
- Financial services expertise based in Scotland: A further 75,000 people are employed across our wider professional services community
Strategic Partners
Sponsors
Supporters
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
There are an exciting range of sponsorship opportunities available to work with GEFI for Ethical Finance 2020 and other events throughout the year. We are happy to work with you to tailor sponsorship packages to suit your marketing objectives and budget. For Sponsorship and Supporter opportunities please contact chris@globalethicalfinance.org. For Media Partnership opportunities please contact Events@globalethicalfinance.org.
Power Round Tables
To augment the EF2019 programme, we partnered with select organisations to co-develop a series of exclusive power round tables. These private events convened senior specialists to explore select conference themes in much greater detail.
To discuss participating or partnering with the future Power Round Table series please contact chris@globalethicalfinance.org
Power Round Table 1 – UN Global Leaders Forum
Time: 13:30 – 15:30
*followed by Library of Mistakes tour concluding at 18:00
Date: Monday 7th October
The UN Global Leaders Power Roundtable explored:
- Integrating multiple global approaches to addressing one planet problems
- Policy perspectives on: 1) making economies work for all & driving inclusive growth; and 2) integrating SDGs into national frameworks – appropriateness and challenges
- Influencing and directing private sector capital to integrate ESG/ethical parameters alongside tradition risk and returns
The roundtable was followed by a guided tour and reception at the fascinating Library of Mistakes which explores the world’s business and financial history.
Power Round Table 2 – Faith in Finance
Time: 17:30 – 21:30
Date: Wednesday 9th October
Hosted by UKIFC and the Church of Scotland, this power roundtable explored:
- Interfaith collaboration and the role of faith-based values in modern finance
- Benefits of bringing different perspectives together
- Identifying shared values – the Edinburgh Finance Declaration
- Heritage role of the Church influencing the values of banks and what the current paradigm can take from this history
- Faith groups sharing leading practice:
- Engagement strategies
- Creating a space for religious actors in formal governance models
- Addressing the common global goals – role of faith traditions to address the SDGs
