14
Nov
ESG in practice: Portfolio affairs
Convincing entrepreneurs in Asian businesses, especially in emerging markets, that implementing an ESG framework and policy would be beneficial to their bottom line is not an easy task and only part of the challenge. Investment in supporting infrastructure is needed so that initiatives can be applied and tracked properly, thereby generating relevant performance data. This must happen consistently across the portfolio with the information flowing upwards from GP to LP. Only then might the big picture objective gradually move within reach. In this session, a panel of GPs and entrepreneurs will discuss the way forward.
- How do you sell ESG implementation to your company founders? Do they see it as value added or a cost?
- How do you overcome obstacles in collecting ESG data from portfolio companies?
- Is it harder to incorporate ESG in emerging markets, especially with minority ownership?
- What are some ESG success stories at the portfolio level in Asia?
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SpeakersClaudia Zeisberger Senior Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise Founder Global Private Equity Initiative (GPEI) INSEAD
Michael Octoman Senior Partner NAVIS CAPITAL PARTNERS
Trista Chen Partner, Finance Sector, Asia Pacific ERM
Purnima Gandhi Director TEMASEK INTERNATIONAL
Lauren Blasco Principal-Head of ESG AC VENTURES
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Claudia Zeisberger is a Senior Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise at INSEAD, and the Founder and Academic Director of the school’s private equity centre (GPEI). Before joining INSEAD in 2005, she spent 16 years in investment banking in New York, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Singapore.
Professor Zeisberger is a founding investor of ‘INSEAD Alum Ventures’ (IAV), the business school’s first dedicated seed fund and she actively mentors early-stage companies and first-time entrepreneurs. At INSEAD, she launched ‘Managing Corporate Turnarounds’ a popular MBA elective known for its intensive computer-based simulation involving an iconic car brand and its struggle with bankruptcy. As a natural extension, she teaches INSEAD’s Risk management elective. She has frequently been nominated for the MBA ‘Best Teaching Award’ in her PE elective and has been awarded the “Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in MBA Teaching” annually since 2008.
Professor Zeisberger is known for her extensive research on PE in emerging markets, and her output is a function of her close working relationships with private equity firms and their investee companies, institutional investors, Family Offices and Sovereign Wealth Funds.
She is the author of ‘Mastering Private Equity – Transformation via Venture Capital, Minority Investments & Buyouts’ and ‘Private Equity in Action – Case Studies from Developed & Emerging Markets’. (http://masteringprivateequity.com/)
Full CV: https://www.insead.edu/faculty-research/faculty/claudia-zeisberger
Mr. Octoman is a Senior Partner at Navis and an Investment Committee member.
Mr. Octoman joined Navis in 2000. His primary responsibility is to manage the Navis Asia Credit Fund, as a senior member of the team, and to ensure that synergies with Navis’ Private Equity platform are optimized. He also oversees the ESG Portfolio Operations team and drives the strategic focus of ESG at Navis. He has extensive private equity investment experience across multiple Navis funds investing in the ASEAN region and was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Navis, overseeing the Navis Private Equity Funds’ Investment Committee decision-making process, the Portfolio Operations group, human capital, and Navis’ strategic banking relationships.
Prior to joining Navis, Mr. Octoman worked with Price Waterhouse Coopers with a focus on capital market transactions and financial due diligence in emerging markets. Mr. Octoman also worked for KPMG in Australia and Canada in Business Advisory services.
A lifetime resident of Australasia, having been raised and educated in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accountancy from the University of South Australia and is an Australian qualified Chartered Accountant. He is also a member of the UNPRI PEAC committee.
Trista leads the Finance Sector across the Asia Pacific region.
With over 15 years of experience in strategic sustainability consulting, Trista is a proven and trusted ESG advisor to clients on managing issues in transactions and enhancing value for post investment and loans.
She advises both listed and private corporate clients across industry sectors, as well as investors and private equities to effect secured investments, facilitate large-scale integration and advance ESG opportunities. Her advice on ESG risks, emerging ESG opportunities as well as potential financial impacts, equipped clients with in-depth insights on the viability and future sustainability of their investment plans. Trista also advises on EHS and Sustainability risks and opportunities associated with cross-boundary transactions involving 20+ countries.
In 2015, she was a delegate to the CEO-lead World Business Counsel for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Leader Program, to help identify the skills needed by future leaders of member companies, and to provide a unique platform for developing and testing skills in a real-world setting. Trista is currently based in Singapore. Prior to relocating to Singapore in 2021, Trista has worked extensively in Canada and in Greater China, transforming businesses to operationalise sustainability.
Purnima Gandhi has over 15 years of global experience in investment banking, private equity and public equity focused on energy and climate technologies. She has worked across cultures and countries such India, UK and Singapore.
She has been with the investments and portfolio development team at Temasek International, Singapore for 11 years. Prior to this she was in Citigroup in Energy Investment Banking in London.
Purnima has an MA from University of Oxford, UK and BA from University of Delhi, India.
Lauren Blasco is a Principal – ESG at AC Ventures where she is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of ESG principles across AC Ventures business operations and investments.
She is a seasoned sustainability and impact practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in the private, public and educational sectors. Lauren held multiple roles including Director of Sustainability at Potato Head Group, Executive Director at Clean the World, Guest Lecturer at National University of Singapore, Adjunct Professor at The University of Hong Kong, lead consultant on projects with The National Environment Agency in Singapore, Think Tank/Incubator participant at Asia P3 hub, Incubation Network, Second Muse, Responsible Business Forum as well as frequent ESG panel speaker across Asia Pacific.
She is on a mission to scale impact with technology by supporting our portfolio companies and digital disruptors.