Second Nature

Michelle is the Technical Director at The Rivers Trust, bringing 30 years of expertise in applying geospatial technology to address environmental challenges. She jointly manages a team of specialists in GIS, data science, modelling, and monitoring, delivering innovative data-driven solutions to support The Rivers Trust movement and the local communities they serve. Michelle is at the forefront of The Rivers Trust's citizen science initiatives and spearheads efforts to combat sewage pollution, helping to enhance the understanding and health of river ecosystems.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Alexa, the General Counsel at Environment Bank, a pioneering organisation dedicated to restoring biodiversity across England. Founded in 2006, Environment Bank has transitioned from a traditional ecological consultancy to a dynamic force in land investment, now managing approximately 6,000 acres aimed at achieving biodiversity net gain.

As General Counsel, Alexa plays a crucial role in overseeing legal relationships with landowners, local planning authorities, and developers.

In addition to her work with Environment Bank, Alexa serves as a member of the College of Experts at the Office for Environmental Protection. Her exceptional contributions to environmental law were recently highlighted when she was named one of the most impactful environmental lawyers of 2023 on the ENDS Power List. 

Tune in to this episode to hear about Alexa’s truly remarkable journey, her unwavering dedication, and  genuine passion for making a positive impact on our planet.

https://environmentbank.com/

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome two experts from Abrdn: Ann Meoni and Fraser Green.

Fraser Green serves as the Head of Natural Capital Investment at Abrdn. Working in the real estates side of the business which is where the business has developed a natural capital strategy first, he is spearheading the development and launch of that strategy as a fund. Fraser also manages a portfolio of property assets, aligning investment strategies with natural capital principles.

Ann Meoni is the Senior Sustainability Manager at Abrdn, leading the insights team within the central sustainable investment unit. The teams work focuses on integrating sustainability into investment processes, with particular emphasis on climate change, social issues, governance, and the preservation of natural capital, which is the are Ann covers.

Join Ann, Fraser, and host Rich as they delve into the complexities and opportunities within the Natural Capital sector. They explore the risks, impacts, and evolving landscape of investments in natural capital, discussing both the challenges and the promising potential of valuing nature for a sustainable future.

Cadi is Isio’s Head of Sustainable Investment, leading on sustainability research and client solutions. 

Her extensive experience includes guiding institutional investors through their sustainability journeys—whether setting net zero targets, evaluating ESG capabilities of managers and providers, or implementing strategic portfolio changes. She’s also a key player in advancing industry-wide sustainability goals, chairing the Institutional Investor Consultancy Working Group (ICSWG) to standardize sustainability practices, and working with the FTSE 100 Pension Managers Group on TCFD issues.

Before joining Isio, Cadi spent six years at KPMG and previously worked at St James’s Place Wealth Management. As a qualified actuary, she combines rigorous technical knowledge with a collaborative, approachable style, making her a valued partner in driving sustainable investment solutions.

https://www.isio.com/

The episode is in collaboration with Quietroom.

Kaisie Rayner is the Founder and Director of A Future Worth Living In, a pioneering organisation dedicated to guiding financial institutions in understanding and implementing sustainability practices as they transition to a low-carbon economy. 

With a robust background in finance and organisational development, studying Finance and Organisational Development in Western Australia and over a decade of experience in the finance sector, Kaisie is striving to drive systemic change.

Her career has been focused on transforming financial systems to align with societal goals, advocating for a shift toward sustainable and impactful investment practices. In this episode, Kaisie delves into the transformative power of finance, discussing how its strategic deployment can foster significant positive change. She shares her insights on the value and influence of finance, the necessary adjustments for a sustainable future, and how financial institutions can and should play a crucial role in shaping a better world.

 https://www.afutureworthlivingin.com/

The episode is in collaboration with Quietroom.

Ross Fairley sits on the Board at law firm Burges Salmon and heads the Renewable Energy and Net Zero Services team for its clients. He is one of the most recognised legal advisor names in the area and has spent over 25 years advising developers, generators, investors and funders on UK environmental law and renewable energy and low carbon projects ranging from huge offshore wind projects to community energy.  He and his team have been at the forefront of legal advice on the roll out of many of the UK’s innovative technology projects contributing to Net Zero and have won numerous awards for their work in the sector. Ross is a past Council Member of the UK Environmental Law Association and Deputy Chair of the UK Hydrogen Energy Association and is currently a trustee of the Avon Wildlife Trust and Bristol’s science museum “We the Curious”.  He is passionate about the environment and wildlife and in his spare time keeps bees. 

The episode is in collaboration with Quietroom.

Pete Smith is a Senior Investment Consultant and Principal at Barnett Waddingham, a prominent UK consultancy specialising in risk, pensions, investment, and insurance. With over 20 years in investment consulting, Pete offers expert guidance on investment strategy, asset allocation, and risk management to pension schemes, insurers, and corporate clients.

At Barnett Waddingham, Pete is known for his strategic insight and ability to tailor investment solutions that meet clients’ long-term financial objectives. His deep understanding of market dynamics and rigorous analytical approach help clients navigate complex investment challenges effectively.

The episode is in collaboration with Quietroom.

As Global Head of Sustainable Investment, Anastasia is responsible for leading the firm’s global sustainable investment team and advising clients on all aspects of sustainable investment strategy, targets and allocations. She joined Redington in June 2021 and works across all clients from pensions to endowments and foundations. Anastasia has been a sustainable investment specialist with over 17 years’ experience, 10 of which were at the United Nations-supported Principles of Responsible Investment, where her last role was as Director of Northern Europe Middle East and Africa, leading a team supporting over 200 asset owners in their implementation of ESG criteria in investment strategy, allocations, and stewardship decisions. She has previously worked at Euromoney Institutional Investor and Fidelity. She sits on reference groups on Social Issues and Global policy at the UN supported Principles for Responsible Investment and sits on working groups within the Glasgow Financial Alliance on Net Zero (GFANZ). She holds a BSC in Economics and Statistics from Ferguson College and a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick.

https://redington.co.uk/

The episode is in collaboration with Quietroom.

As CEO and Executive Director of Pensions for Purpose, Charlotte oversees business operations, growth strategy, and partnerships. She has been integral to every aspect of the company's services and completed its first B Corp impact assessment in 2023. Charlotte co-leads training and Business Briefing services for asset owners and advisers.

She serves on the Sounding Board for the Social Value Portal, the Advisory Board for Sororum, the Global Steering Group for Impact Investing’s pensions expert group, and the Pensions Equity Group, reflecting her commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and systemic change.

With over 15 years in asset management, Charlotte's career spans fund analysis to institutional business development, including roles at Jupiter, Pictet, and Cambridge Associates. Her passion for sustainable investing is evident through her co-authored paper on social impact investing and speaking engagements on transparency in fees and services. She contributed to the development of the Impact Investing Institute's Principles for Pensions.

Outside of work, Charlotte is a mother of two, a fitness enthusiast, a volunteer with Redstart, and is dedicated to enhancing her social and environmental impact.

The episode is in collaboration with Quietroom.

In this episode, Rich talks with Chris Winter, Director of Natural Capital at Oxygen Conservation, about the urgent need for immediate action in carbon offsetting. Chris emphasises that the time for consideration and understanding is over; we must act now to protect our planet.

Chris shares how Oxygen Conservation leverages intricate data sets and advanced modelling techniques to optimise carbon offset initiatives. These efforts are not just about locking up carbon; they address a multitude of societal and environmental challenges, including food production, biodiversity loss, flood management, energy production, rural housing, water quality, access to nature and the list goes on. By assigning value to the environment, Oxygen Conservation aims to create measurable progress in carbon removal and storage, driving a positive impact on both the environment and the people who depend on it.

 At the heart of their projects is a commitment to creating a better, healthier, and happier environment for people to live, work, and play in. Chris highlights how their data-driven solutions are essential for scaling these efforts and making a real difference in our landscapes. Join Rich and Chris as they discuss the innovative strategies and immediate actions needed to foster a more resilient and biodiverse world. The future of our planet depends on the steps we take today.