Following on from the last episode, which features the first part of their conversation, Charlotte and Rich cover many pertinent topics in this second instalment. They discuss the benefits of how we can integrate AI into nature conservation, the misconceptions which exist around 'voluntary' carbon credits and what the concept of leadership means to them.

Rich also talks about some of the exciting developments in Oxygen Conservation's future, and the myriad ways in which the business has already exceeded his expectations.

How we think defines who we are. Charlotte and Rich begin the episode by diving deeply into how their thought patterns shape their leadership practices and behaviours, and how this in turn impacts systems thinking and communication.

In this, the first part of our special double episode, Charlotte and Rich go on to speak about a plethora of topics, including the intrinsic interconnection between people and the natural world, the need to bring the environmental and investment sectors together in order for everyone to be able to access and value nature, and how natural infrastructure can work today.

Biodiversity and Natural Capital is one of our six key Ecosystem Themes at Pensions for Purpose. Nature underpins most of our economy and is a critical to ensuring a sustainable future for beneficiaries to retire into. In this episode of the Pensions for Purpose Podcast, we sit down with Martin Belcher from Palladium, our Ecosystem Partner for our Biodiversity and Natural Capital work.

We discuss why we decided to partner together on this, why natural capital is so critical for investors and the wide ranging opportunity set that exists. We also discuss the findings from our soon-to-be launched research, looking at how the investor community is addressing biodiversity and nature.

To kick off Season 3 of the Pensions for Purpose podcast with a bang, we sit down with industry veteran, Sally Bridgeland, to talk all about the purpose of finance and pensions. We discuss quality of life in retirement and how finance can help support this – both through financial planning for individuals, but also more generally, through the impact we can have via what our investments are financing.  We hear from Sally’s extensive experience, in both the private and public sector, about how these two areas can come together to make things better.  And importantly, we talk about the importance of collaboration to drive forward change, and how our behaviour and mindsets are a big part of this.

 As we come to the end of 2025, and the end of season 2 of the Pensions for Purpose podcast, we get together with the other Pensions for Purpose directors to reflect on the year gone by.  2025 has been a mammoth year for pensions policy and there have been lots of initiatives we’ve been part of to help drive forward outcomes for people, planet and pensions.  It has also  been a year of ESG backlash, conflict and instability.  We talk about this and discuss the challenges we’ve faced over the year.  We then look ahead to 2026 – a year likely to be dominated by AI developments, more pensions policy and a continued focus on systems thinking!

Fixed income makes up a huge part of investors’ portfolios, especially in the world of pensions. As such, its crucial we focus on sustainability and impact within the world of fixed income.  In this episode of the Pensions for Purpose podcast we are joined by Bruno Bamberger and Aida Hemery from AXA to get into this important topic.  We discuss labels, regulation, engagement and we address some common myths on this topic. 

How important is COP 30 to investors? In this episode of the Pensions for Purpose podcast we sit down with Michael Schlup and Johnny Brom from SAIL Investments to talk all about COP and the other key events around this.  

We hear about how COP has evolved, the role of investors and the other events and announcements that we should look out for.  We also dive into the significance of COP 30 being held in Brazil – home of the Amazon rainforest and many industries that are extremely nature-dependent.  We discuss why we feel optimistic about positive change because of the economic value that nature brings.  We get into some practical examples of what the investment industry can do to drive systemic change and change behaviour and mindsets around nature.   

When we talk about the Energy Transition a lot of discussion is around renewable energy and grid infrastructure.  But to successfully transition, there is so much more we need to think about – from the way we build our houses, to our heating systems and the cars we drive.  All of this will need capital and could pose an exciting opportunity for investors – if structured suitably. 

In this episode of the Pensions for Purpose podcast we speak to Sam Hollister and Stephen Harkin from LCP Delta about the wider opportunity set for investors when it comes to supporting Energy Transition.  We also dig into the current policy environment in the UK and how this may evolve over time.   

Financial inclusion is key to meeting global sustainability goals, with a huge number of people around the world still lacking access to mainstream financial systems.  Improving financial inclusion is linked to improved human and economic development.  

In this episode of the Pensions for Purpose Podcast we speak to Lorna Logan from Stewart Investors about just how important financial inclusion is – and how investors can find some great opportunities in this sector!

The energy transition poses one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetimes – from both an economic and impact perspective.  But in times of such geopolitical uncertainty, it can be unclear exactly what the future looks like. 

In this episode we are joined by Hilkka Komulainen, Quinbrook’s Global Head of Sustainability and Impac,t to dive into this subject.  We discuss how the cost of action compares with the cost of inaction, how to centre people in the Energy transition and the huge opportunity set that exists for investors!