ESG Finance: Shaping a Sustainable Future 

The University of London warmly welcomes you to this special event on ESG and sustainable finance.

About the event

Despite recent withdrawals from initiatives like Net Zero Banking, many organisations continue to prioritise sustainability, driven by economic and environmental benefits.

This event will examine the key trends driving the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in finance today, as well as how academic institutions and industry partners can play a role in advancing the adoption of these practices.

Tonight, an expert panel will address how current world challenges may hinder collective action on environmental and social issues. They will also consider what our regional and global economies may look like over the coming decade. 

Tonight’s event

18:30 – Arrival and registration
19:00 – Welcome from Bill Abraham, Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, and Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice-Chancellor
19:15 – Panel discussion on ESG Finance: Shaping a Sustainable Future, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor
20:00 – Q&A with the panel
20:10 – Closing remarks from the Vice-Chancellor
20:15 – Reception and networking
21:30 – Event ends

Panel Chair

Professor Wendy Thomson CBE is Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, where she was appointed following a distinguished career in government and higher education. 

 She is recognised as an international expert in public service governance and reform, working closely with governments in Canada, Africa, United Kingdom and the Middle East. Her academic research and policy advice is the field of social policy. 

She has served on many public and private Boards of Directors and currently is on the Board of London Higher and serves on the Mayor of London’s Partnership Board. She is Deputy Chair of The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and Chair of the Social Market Foundation, a cross-party UK  think tank. 

Panellists

Yvonne Chan is currently Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of Singapore Management University (SMU).

Yvonne Chan is a visionary leader in the financial sector, renowned for her finance transformation efforts and her pioneer role in championing Sustainability Reporting. She was amongst the first to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into strategic financial management during her time in the S’pore public sector. As CFO and Vice-President at SMU, she has been instrumental in driving process re-engineering, corporate governance and business excellence. 

Professor David Webb is Professor of Finance at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). 

Professor David Webb has held various leadership roles during his long career at LSE, including Pro-Director of Planning and Resources, Chief Financial Officer, Head of the Finance Department, and Director of LSE’s Financial Markets Group. He is a Professor of Finance, specialising in financial economics and monetary theory, and currently chairs The Transition Pathway Initiative Centre at LSE, which researches the financial and corporate world's transition to a low-carbon economy. 

Tay Kok Chin is Chairman of the Smart Cities Network.

Tay Kok-Chin is at the forefront of transforming urban landscapes through sustainable development and innovative financial strategies. As Chairman of the Smart Cities Network, he excels in linking financial mechanisms with sustainable urban development, ensuring that economic growth is achieved in tandem with environmental stewardship and social inclusiveness.