Governance and Responsible Investment

This event took place on Wednesday 27 March 2024

The subject of socially responsible investment is of growing importance for governance professionals. We heared from three experts on their distinct approaches to ethical investment.

They were joined by Simon Martin who is Chair of Governors at a local LA-maintained primary school. The session discussed some of the current challenges and pointers for good practice based upon organisational experience.

Howard Gannaway, Independent Company Director and Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment

Howard Gannaway is a Certified Financial Planner with many years’ experience and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.  In addition to his work in finance, he has been CEO of a Chamber of Commerce and also an adviser on financial education policy.  He is currently a non-executive director of a Teckal company, which poses unusual governance challenges!

Paul Todd, Director of Investment Development and Delivery, NEST - National Employment Savings Trust

Paul is part of the leadership group within Nest’s investment team, working with the chief investment officer and the Trustee Board to set the strategic vision for Nest’s investment proposition and ensure the delivery of that vision. He leads on developing the evidence base for our investment proposition and ensuring what we’re offering is the right approach for our members. Paul has built up a team of experts that take responsibility for Nest’s responsible investment approach, for developing our retirement options, for assessing governance and policies, as well as communicating what we do to everyone.

Laura Mallaburn, Head of Business Support & Angel Network Manager, Lincoln Science and Innovation Park

Laura is the Head of Business Support at Lincoln Science & Innovation Park, a hub that brings together science, technology, and academia. Laura supports innovative entrepreneurs, both at the Park and across the East midlands, in their pursuit of early-stage finance to accelerate their business growth.

As part of her role, she runs Lincolnshire Business Angels; a group of investors who consider local business investment opportunities following Dragons’ Den style pitch presentations. They commit their own time, capital, and expertise to seed and guide high-growth potential start-ups in return for an equity stake in the business.

Laura has a mixed entrepreneurial and corporate background and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. She has a passion for supporting female entrepreneurs.

Isla McCulloch, Community Shares Standards Manager, Co-operatives UK

Isla is the Community Shares Standards Manager at Co-operatives UK. She oversees the Community Shares Standard Mark, which recognises high quality community share offers and the related training and accreditation scheme for practitioners.

She also leads on research and market intelligence on the community shares market and supports the groundbreaking Community Shares Booster Fund, providing match investment for innovative share offers across England.

Search CGI