WCIB Panel Discussion: what next for ESG?

The Worshipful Company of International Bankers is pleased to host an evening ESG Panel Discussion and Drinks Reception with senior sustainability leaders and investors in the financial services industry, who will share their insights on global ESG trends & opportunities including:

• State of the Nation of ESG in the US, UK, Europe and Asia
• Emerging ESG and impact investments
• AI – friend or foe of sustainability
• Regulatory Considerations
• What does the ESG job market look like?

Our esteemed leadership panel includes:

Richard Brass, Managing Director & Co-Head of Sustainable Capital, Rothschild & Co.

Richard joined Rothschild as Co-Head of Sustainable Capital in 2023. Previously Head of Berenberg Wealth and Asset Management UK (2011-22). Founding Chair of Figurative, Co-founder ReGenerate Trust, Advisory Board Member of Better Society Capital, Founder of Impact Ventures UK, Mentor at Unreasonable Group & Winner of Digital Leaders Impact Investor of the Year.

Ross Wigg, Head of Net Zero, Vercity

Ross joined Versity as Head of Net Zero in 2020. Previously, Asset Performance Director at LOC Ltd and Head of Renewables at Lloyd's Register Group. Ross is responsible for net zero & renewable energy portfolio management, technology and clean energy advice into new and existing social infrastructure projects. He is the Lead Industrial Partner to the Supergen ORE Hub research programme, and owner of Rayner Low Carbon Technologies.

James Heath, Director, Asset Management, InfraRed Capital Partners

James leads the Impact Investment Portfolio at InfraRed Capital, having joined the firm in 2019, initially as an Investment Director, before taking up his current role in late 2022. James has an extensive career background in private and project finance across both Barclays and John Laing.

Phoebe Stone, Chief Sustainability Officer (UK)

Phoebe Stone is a Partner and Chief Sustainability Officer at LGT Wealth Management, having joined as a portfolio manager in 2014. Phoebe founded LGT Wealth Management’s sustainable investing division in 2018 and is responsible for running the investment and client proposition, sustainability data and stewardship teams. Phoebe chairs the Sustainable Investment Committee and Sustainable Governance Committee, as well as the socio-economic diversity workstream of LGT’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She also sits on LGT’s Global Sustainable Committee, Investments and Clients and LGT’s Think Tank which reports into the Sustainability Board, chaired by H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein, LGT’s Chairman. Phoebe is also a Board Trustee of the Lord Mayor's Appeal.

Archie Cage, Impact Manager, Tribe Impact Capital

Archie works across a range of qualitative and quantitative processes including asset research, portfolio screening, and client reporting. His background is in ecology, research and grant making, and he holds a First Class (Hons) degree in Biological Sciences from Nottingham Trent University. Archie joined Tribe from Planet Tracker, a non-profit financial think tank where he focused on the financial implications of ecological collapse, and the relevance of nature in capital markets, primarily in soft commodities such as agricultural and seafood products.

The panel will be moderated by WCIB Member, Paul Kelly, who oversees Sustainable Finance for the International Wealth & Premier Banking division at HSBC, where he is responsible for providing financial and strategic to senior leaders on the bank’s $750bn-$1tn 2030 Sustainable Finance initiative. Paul will begin with a few opening observations before facilitating a discussion with the panellists.

There will be an opportunity for Q&A and a networking reception with refreshments (wine, elderflower and light snacks).

We look forward to seeing you at what will be a fascinating evening on a topic which continues to influence the financial services world.

Date: Thursday 12 March 2026

Venue: Guildhall Club, Guildhall (entrance via West Wing reception on Aldermanbury)

Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

Dress Code: Business Casual

Ticket Price: £30 (up to three guests per person welcome)

Image: ID 259144397 Witsarut Sakorn. Dreamstime.com