Impact Investment Opportunity in UK, this week I was listening to Elizabeth Corley and expert speakers on the opportunities and challenges for impact at a social impact investing conference.
Some questions raised:
What are the dangers and advantages of speaking about ESG and Impact in the same breath? How important is a common language? Taxonomy? Standardised outcomes?
Fear of unintended consequences of regulation? “Backed by regulators” not equal to “regulated” ? Is it beyond the wit of the industry to find a better way to represent individuals wishes re: Impact ?
Will SDGs used as part of "SDG washing" - something that looks good for marketing but doesn't make real impact.
There is debate in impact world on if you can make market returns and still have measured deep impact. This notion of a continuum or spectrum of thinking about these ideas is one which is taking shape.
However, when thinking about this in mainstream instiutional or retail investment, I think it has a long way to go before it's embedded in thinking. I base this observation on the minimal mainstream press or adviser coverage and the small knowledge base / marketing at retail or adviser level. Still, the movement is growing and ideas which start here will hopefully go on to seed bigger things in the mainstream too.
The current Arts blog, cross-over, the current Investing blog. Cross fertilise, some thoughts on autism. Discover what the last arts/business mingle was all about (sign up for invites to the next event in the list below).
My Op-Ed in the Financial Times (My Financial Times opinion article) about asking long-term questions surrounding sustainability and ESG.
Some popular posts: the commencement address; by Nassim Taleb (Black Swan author, risk management philosopher), Neil Gaiman on making wonderful, fabulous, brilliant mistakes; JK Rowling on the benefits of failure. Charlie Munger on always inverting; Sheryl Sandberg on grief, resilience and gratitude.
How to live a life, well lived. Thoughts from a dying man. On play and playing games.
A provoking read on how to raise a feminist child.