Against a backdrop of increased demand for environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds, our ESG focussed Funds Masterclass brought together an expert panel to consider each element of the ‘ESG’ conversation, discussing in turn the environmental, social, and governance considerations. They also examined how Jersey as a jurisdiction best caters to the needs of socially conscious investors.

Highlights Video

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Watch this short highlights video of our ESG focussed Funds Masterclass for an insight into the event. You can watch the event in full via Webinars on Demand.

Speakers and Panellists

Elliot Refson

Elliot Refson › Head of Funds, Jersey Finance
email › / profile ›

Andrew Mitchell

Andrew Mitchell Equilibrium Futures

Eva Vogt

Eva Vogt EMK Capital

Felicia de Laat

Felicia de Laat Mourant

Charlotte Brambilla

Charlotte Brambilla Government of Jersey

Quotes From the Speaker Presentations

Elliot Refson: "ESG criteria will play an increasing role in fund domiciliation. It is clear therefore that this accelerating trend towards ESG is being driven by investors, and their fund managers are responding accordingly. The trend is filtering through the ecosystem which supports the industry."
David Postlethwaite: "It’s not just investor requirements that must be met. Increasingly, access to markets - and capital - will be determined by the ability for managers and administrators to comply with requirements associated with the regulation of sustainable finance."

Quotes from our panel discussion

Andrew Mitchell: "One of the best examples of how our planet is getting ill is Covid-19, which is driven in part by environmental degradation, the trade in particular species and bringing together large numbers of people with these emergencies – these zoonotic transfers of viruses from animals to people … they’re symptoms of what we mean by ‘unrecognised nature-related risk’."

David also commented on what Jersey is doing well, and how it can improve: “ESG is not just a risk problem, but a massive opportunity. Jersey has a really good legal profession, we know how to set up funds, and we have a very supportive regulator, and now the regulator is coming up with new ESG codes, so we are all moving in that direction. I think we’re in a good position to do that [attract more funds here in the future] but we need to tweak the system a bit.”

Felicia de Laat: "Jersey has been quietly supporting positive social impact for a number of years already and it’s not a new thing. Many of our funds, particularly real estate funds, have got pension schemes as investors and the wealth generated by our funds is paid out to pensioners throughout the UK and elsewhere, enriching their retirement."

Additionally, speaking about Jersey being at the forefront of governance, Felicia added: “Governance, good governance, is one of Jersey’s great strengths and is one of the things we pride ourselves in, as part of our offering and part of our reputation. And I think a large part of what underpins that is our human capital, our people, we’ve got roughly 14,000 finance professionals… there’s a wealth of expertise and diversity of experience that we have.”

Eva Vogt: "I think accounting for sustainability outcomes is going to be increasingly important and common metrics for reporting. Those sort of things [stakeholder capitalism metrics] are going to be really useful in communicating sustainability outcomes and linking performance back to SDGs."

Eva also commented on the rising concerns of investors, saying: “The questions we are asked a lot, and increasingly in the past 12 months, by our investors, are around diversity and inclusion.”

Charlotte Brambilla: "Our finance sector is our biggest sector and we hold so much money under management, clearly the shift to being able to help enable that capital to be used to finance those initiatives which have a social impact is something we have the skill set for and the ability to. That way Jersey really can and will make a difference."

When questioned about the Government’s role in the future of ESG investing in Jersey, Charlotte explained: “Historically, certainly when we did the last financial services strategy, it was put in as a core principle that we should maintain this position of good regulation and compliance with international standards, we are a member of the OECD which deals with tax disclosures, though Moneyval we have the FATCA disclosures. It’s coming our clear that the reputation of having a good strong regulator, and continuing to be compliant and be politically in that right space is absolutely pivotal to Jersey’s success and its future as an IFC.”

Further information

Watch the recording of this event in full

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Find out more about Jersey for Funds

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Discover more about our sustainable vision and strategy 'Jersey for Good, our Sustainable Future'

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