The Sustainability Report Podcast The Sustainability Report Podcast

On this episode of the podcast, we’re talking about how technology is changing how our economy operates and what disruption means both socially and economically.
Innovation in renewable energy, battery storage and other areas have brought the means to transition our world to a low-carbon future within our grasp, but disruption is a two-sided coin, and companies and stakeholders must think about how their products and processes will shape how we interact.
We’re talking with Dr Katina Michael, a professor at the University of Wollongong in the School of Information Systems and Technology in Australia. Katina has previously been employed as a senior network engineer at Nortel Networks (’96-‘01) and has also worked as a systems analyst at Andersen Consulting and OTIS Elevator Company. Katina addresses the value of privacy, the impacts of artificial intelligence, and how investors and companies could frame the discussion of long term values and ethics.

On this episode of the podcast, we’re talking about diversity in the investment management industry. Research conducted by Mercer has revealed that in the investment management industry, bias in recruitment and promotion decisions as well as workplace culture block opportunities for “under-represented talent to thrive.”

The study found that 76% of investment managers are male, 48% are private school educated (compared to national average of 35%) and 76% of those who completed post-graduates studies completed a Masters of Finance. Further, female investment managers say bias in the recruitment process and career progression is the number one reason for poor diversity while their male counterparts blame parental and care responsibilities for the lack of diversity.

We’re talking to Yolanda Beattie, diversity and inclusion practice leader at Mercer, on what the investment management industry can do to address this problem, and why diversity matters so much.

On this episode of the podcast, we’re talking human rights impacts on companies supply chain, and what risks they can pose to investments. We’re speaking with Mans Carlsson-Sweeny, who is the head of ESG research at Ausbil Investment Management. As head of ESG research, Mans is responsible for analysing how sustainability issues can impact on the listed companies in which they invest, and what risks they can pose to Ausbil’s clients’ investments.