27th February 2025 @ 9:00 - 10:30

Transition Finance: A Strategic Imperative for Boards  

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Scaling finance to support and enable decarbonisation across the economy is not only a climate imperative, but also a strategic one. The Transition Finance Market Review’s landmark report has revealed a clear message: organisations that effectively integrate climate transition opportunities and risks into their financial and commercial strategy will be better positioned to ensure long-term resilience and value creation. 

As a part of its UK Financial Services Community Programme, Chapter Zero is partnering with the Transition Finance Market Review (TFMR) and the City of London Corporation in an online session that will equip board directors with practical guidance to seize the commercial opportunity of the transition to a low carbon future. 

During the webinar, our expert speakers will:

  • Translate the crucial findings and recommendations of TFMR report, Scaling transition finance: Findings of the Transition Finance Market Review, into actionable steps for boards
  • Share insights and practical guidance on how TFMR’s findings can be practically applied in boardroom decisions and strategies to drive transition finance on a company level and across the broader market 
  • Explore commercial opportunities from engaging with transition finance, and how to transform them into tangible value creation for their organisations and businesses across the economy  
  • Discuss the role of NEDs in challenging executives to embed robust transition finance frameworks 
While this session primarily focuses on the role of financial sector organisations in scaling transition finance, board directors from the real economy will gain valuable insights into how their organisations can effectively engage with and approach transition finance. 

 

Speakers include

Vanessa Havard-Williams OBE

Chair, Transition Finance Market Review

Vanessa leads the UK Government’s Transition Finance Market Review and is a board member of UK Export Finance and chair of the UK Export Guarantees Advisory Group. Previously, she led Linklaters’ sustainability practice until her retirement in 2023 and still consults for the firm.

Irem Yerdelen

Lead Member for Sustainable Finance, City of London Corporation

Irem is currently acting as the Lead Member for Sustainable Finance and Board Director of the Green Finance Institute. Irem is also the Managing Partner of ERM’s Sustainability & Climate Solutions in Northern Europe, bringing decades of risk and insurance industry experience. She has recently been appointed as a Deputy Chair of the UK's Transition Finance Council.

James Close

Head of Climate Change, NatWest

For over ten years, James’ primary focus has been addressing the threat of climate change. Within his role at NatWest, he supports the implementation of their purpose-led strategy. He is a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Advisory Group for the ICAEW and a trustee for the Trust for Sustainable Living.

Joanna Bonnett

Immediate Past President / Chair of the Appointments, Remuneration and Audit Committee, Association of Corporate Treasurers, Non-Executive Director

Joanna sits on the Appointments, Remuneration and Audit Committee at the Association of Corporate Treasurers. She is a NED and the Treasury Committee member for Riverside Housing, as well as a Group Treasurer at Straumann Group. Joanna has over 25 years of industry experience and previously held senior leadership roles in finance, including treasury, risk management, insurance, and investor relations.

Alexandra Innes

Chapter Zero Fellow, Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Sustainability Committee, Waverton

Alexandra is an independent Non-Executive Director and Board member at Waverton. She is also Chair of the Sustainability Committee. She currently holds several non-executive roles, including with the Bank of England and Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust Limited. She is an experienced NED and board adviser across multiple sectors, from investment banking and investment management to global capital markets.

27th February 2025 @ 9:00 - 10:30

Transition Finance: A Strategic Imperative for Boards  

Sign up for this event

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