NON-MEMBER Net zero is no longer fit for purpose - how should investors adapt?

On Tuesday, 3 November at 6pm in the upstairs room of The Betsey Trotwood we'll be discussing ‘Net zero is no longer fit for purpose – how should investors adapt?’.

Net zero ambitions are looking increasingly out of reach as a lack of direction from governments and companies has failed to put the changes needed to make these goals a reality.

We'll be exploring whether asset managers and investors need a fundamental re-think of net zero. Do we need a different target? Or should there be a greater focus on shaping government policy?

Joining us to discuss the future of net zero will be James Lawrence – CIO of Smart Pensions, Maria Nazarova-Doyle – global head of sustainable investment at IFM Investors, Catherine Howarth – chief executive of ShareAction and Tegs Harding, head of sustainability at IGG.

Panellist bios

James has over 12 years' experience in the pensions industry, mainly in consulting and investment management. At Smart Pension, he is the Chief Investment Officer and responsible for building and overseeing the investment solution.

Prior to joining Smart, James worked at Mercer, managing the investment proposition for Mercer Workplace Savings in the UK DC workplace delegated business.

Maria leads IFM’s global sustainable investment team, supporting the organisation’s drive towards maximising long-term returns while creating positive and wide-ranging benefits for communities around the world.

Prior to joining IFM, Maria spent nearly four years as head of responsible investment and stewardship at one of the UK’s largest pension providers Scottish Widows. She had previously held senior DC pensions investment consulting roles at Mercer and JLT.

She was named sustainability woman of the year 2023 by Professional Pensions and a Top 50 Influencer in sustainable private markets by New Private Markets in 2024. She is a member of the UKSIF Board, a visiting lecturer at Cambridge Institute for ustainability leadership and regularly volunteers on government-led and industry taskforces.

Catherine is chief executive of ShareAction, an organisation that advocates for responsible investment and business practice worldwide.

Since 2024, she has been on the board of Nest Pensions in the UK. Additionally, she is a member of the sustainable finance advisory committee to the Financial Conduct Authority.

Her previous roles include serving on the board and investment committee of TPT Retirement Solutions (formerly known as The Pensions Trust) and of the Scott Trust, which owns The Guardian Media Group. She served on HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce where she co-chaired a working group on stewardship practice in the UK.

Catherine holds the PMI Award in Pension Trusteeship and was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014. She received an OBE in 2022 from King Charles III for services to sustainability.

Tegs is a trustee director at Independent Governance Group (IGG) and an Accredited Professional Pensions Trustee. She advises pension scheme trustee boards on governance, investment strategy and long-term decision-making.

With a background in pensions and institutional investment, Tegs works with schemes across a range of sectors, helping trustees navigate regulatory change, market developments and the challenges of delivering good outcomes for members.

What to expect and timings

The event takes place in the upstairs room of The Betsey Trotwood. Please come at 5.45pm for a drink. The discussion kicks off at exactly 6.15pm when Charlotte chairs the debate with panel members and then takes questions from the floor, finishing at 7.15pm. Some snacks will then be served along with more drinks ahead of an hour of networking with the event ending at 8.15pm.