06 August 2019
MAN Group, a FTSE-listed investment manager, stresses the use of the latest technology across its business to help it deliver strong returns on the $112 billion of assets it manages.
In line with this approach, the London-based company launched a series of podcasts in January 2018 to explore all facets of sustainability -- from climate change to human rights. They were the brainchild of Jason Mitchell, co-head of responsible investment, who produces and hosts them.
The judges were impressed by "the innovative use of technology to inform a wide audience" about major ESG issues.
From the outset, Mitchell was keen to avoid the style of most corporate financial podcasts which, he says "tend to be platforms marketing fund strategies and portfolio managers who are constrained by compliance-checked scripts". Rather, he wanted "an open-ended exploration about the great people, ideas, methods, stories and dilemmas in the sustainability space".
The podcasts feature profiles of leading organisations and individuals and are intended as an educational resource for anyone from institutional investors and policymakers, to journalists and students. They can be listened to on iTunes, Soundcloud, PodBean, Spotify, Google Play and at www.man.com/ri-podcast.
Students are of particular interest and Mitchell ends each interview with advice to the younger generation.
Typically 25-35 minutes in duration, the podcasts aim to demonstrate why and how investors – from the individual saver to the largest pension, sovereign and endowment funds – are influencing environmental and socio-political policymaking.
Upcoming episodes include:
- What Trump means for US climate resilience – Alice Hill (former head of resilience in the US National Security Council);
- Australasian approaches to responsible investment – asset owners, managers and consultants; and
Past episodes have included:
- How to save the world: Green bonds and central bank regulation – Michael Sheren, Bank of England.
- International climate security – Prof Malcom Chalmers and Jamie Kwong Royal United Services Institute.
- Greening the world's second-largest economy – Prof Yao Wang, China's International Institute of Green Finance.