Demystifying ESG in one simple mantra

LISTEN On this episode of Tech Talk Radio, Emily Wright is joined by Aviva Investors’ head of responsible investment Ed Dixon, who reveals the simple mantra the real estate sector needs when it comes to demystifying ESG. A former carpenter who lost his job in the 2008 recession, Dixon talks about his career path from “fifty quid weekend jobs to £50bn of real assets 20 years later” and discusses why “it’s OK” that head of sustainability and director roles in large real estate companies are increasingly being taken up by younger, less experienced people. He says: “Young people are taking on incrementally bigger and bigger roles in this space. They are taking risks, they are getting the leadership team on board and they are delivering great stuff. I think it’s working.” Dixon also touches on the transition from investing in climate solutions such as green buildings to tackling climate in its entirety and why finding the “bright spots” in the sector and ignoring those who are resistant to change is crucial to progress. And, in a direct message to listeners, he has a simple question that people can ask themselves to reveal if they are on the right track as we navigate “a time of change tantamount to the industrial revolution”.   To send feedback, e-mail emily.wright@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmilyW_9 or @EGPropertyNews