In an increasingly socially conscious community in the aftermath of the bushfires and COVID-19, how do advisers navigate through a time of disruption and factor in social and governance? With clients demanding transparency and evidence of their investments, Simon O’Connor, Chief Executive of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), will reveal some of the intricacies, advantages and myths around this increasingly popular and ethical form of investment.
This session debunks how switching to a socially responsible investment portfolio is good for return and good for your client’s loyalty. Learn how to utilise resources from your investment and product partners to:
- Navigate scepticism through research, data and case studies of responses from the broader community
- Understand how other companies manage their risk in a portfolio sector
- Engage the socially aware and proactive Millennials in preparation for the great transfer of wealth
- Adopt conversation guidelines on how to convey long-term value through responsible investment
Simon O’Connor
CEO, Responsible Investment Association of Australia (RIAA)
Simon is the CEO of RIAA — an organisation with 280+ investment organisation members who jointly manage over $9 trillion in assets globally — where he has worked for the past seven years to elevate sustainability issues as core investment risks and opportunities, and shift capital to support a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world.
Simon is also co-chair of the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative, a financial services sector collaboration consisting of 90 organisations who are working to develop a roadmap for the sector to contribute systematically to Australia’s contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. ASFI brings together leaders spanning Australia’s major banks, superannuation funds, insurance companies, financial sector peak bodies and academia to develop a Sustainable Finance Roadmap by mid-2020, in consultation with diverse sectors and stakeholders.
Simon has operated at the intersection of economics, finance and sustainability for nearly 20 years and has international experience as an economic adviser, investment analyst and sustainability consultant across finance, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
Simon is active across the region and internationally in responsible investment and sustainable finance.
