42: Ben Constable Maxwell of M&G Investments: Redesigning Capitalism With Purpose

<div> <strong>Ben Constable-Maxwell </strong>is Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing at M&amp;G Investments, leading the strategy on impact investing as well as covering sustainability issues such as climate change and the circular economy. </div> <div>He has been central to the development of ESG integration within M&amp;G’s investment processes and has supported the development of ESG solutions for clients across asset classes. </div> <div>Ben plays an active industry role as a member of various sustainable and impact investment initiatives, interacting with companies, policymakers, NGOs and other investors. He is a Trustee at Firefly International youth organisation, which provides educational and mental health support for young people in conflict-affected areas in the Balkans and Middle East. </div> <div>Previous to joining M&amp;G in 2003, Ben spent four years with the Equities team at Invesco Perpetual. </div> <div>He has an honours degree in Classics from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.</div> <div> <br> <strong>Highlights: </strong> </div> <ul> <li>“We have a responsibility to integrate ESG across our suite of investments and asset classes”</li> <li>If you think about the the issues that drive performance, the issues that really can cause major blow ups, often they're ESG related.</li> <li>Data breach, oil spills, falling faul to a major diversity and inclusion related scandal are all things that can hit the reputation and bottom line of consumers. We just think you have to take into account all these risk whether ESG funds or not, right across all $350B assets.</li> <li>“We have a suite of ESG funds that covers different asset classes. Over the last 10 years, in particular the past 4-5 years, the ESG integration programs across M&amp;G started in equities and fixed income, but is now broadening out to all asset classes on behalf of clients. All of them now say they embrace and integrate and ESG approach.”</li> <li>We have to and our clients wants specifically designed funds with clearly articul