David Blood discusses The Case for Sustainable Business
Sustainability combines the principles of economic growth, environmental stewardship, governance and social accountability. 'Sustainable' business, commerce and finance are the buzzwords in an age of social and environmental concern. But does 'sustainability' matter or is it just a case of business wolves in social sheep's clothing.
David Blood believes that "combining fundamental equity analysis and sustainability research at the beginning, middle and end of the investment process is just a more sensible way to invest and deliver superior returns to our clients."
David believes so strongly in the business case for sustainability that, with former USA Vice-President Al Gore, he founded Generation Investment Management in 2004- Gresham College
Bio
David Blood
David Blood is the Managing Partner at Generation Investment Management, U.S., LLP. Prior to co-founding the firm, Blood served as the co-CEO and CEO of Goldman Sachs Asset Management (1999-2003), responsible for all aspects of the global business, including portfolio management, sales and client service, risk management and infrastructure, and with oversight of approximately 1,600 people and $325 billion in assets under management.
From 1985 to 1999, Blood served in various positions at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., including head of European asset management; head of international operations, technology and finance; treasurer of the Goldman Sachs Group LP; and head of global private capital markets. He was also a member of the Partnership Committee and the European Management Committee.
Blood was the first recipient of the John L. Weinberg Award, in 1990, given to a professional in the Investment Banking Division who best typifies Goldman Sachs' core values. He is a member of the board of trustees of The Acumen Fund and SHINE. Blood received a bachelor's degree from Hamilton College and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.
Michael Mainelli
Dr Mainelli is Executive Chairman of Z/Yen, a City-based risk/reward firm, where he works on strategy, technology, finance and business development. His early research was in aerospace and computer graphics, which led to work in seismology, cartography and energy information.
He spent seven years as a partner and board member of an accountancy firm directing their financial services consultancy work in the UK and overseas, followed by a position as Corporate Development Director of the MoD’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.
From November 1995 to July 1997 Dr Mainelli was Chief Scientist of the Financial Laboratory, a DTI project undertaking research into the visualisation of financial risk.
Dr Mainelli is a qualified accountant, computer specialist and management consultant with a degree from Harvard in government with economics, plus a further year of mathematics and engineering at Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London.
Stephane Voisin
Stephane Voisin is head of Sustainability Research at Credit Agricole Cheuvreux, the European equity broker and research house. Voisin holds an MBA in Law and Finance and a Master's in Sustainable Development as well as having 18 years experience in equity markets.
Prior to joining CA Cheuvreux, Voisin was an executive director at JP Morgan and at Paribas in London. Voisin has authored a number of reports on environmental and social issues and is actively involved in building ESG integration models. He teaches Sustainable Finance at the Chaire of Paris Dauphine University and chairs a number of scientific committees, including an international NGO and NYSE-Euronext.