Rupert Davies

• Founded ESG Sum in 2023 providing fractional CSO advisory services to investment management firms on ESG integration, sustainable finance regulatory compliance, ESG investing strategy, and investor-facing sustainability narratives.

• Designed a bespoke RI external manager selection framework and ESG data dashboard for Quilter Cheviot, a leading UK FTSE 250 wealth manager, contributing to investment due diligence and commitee-level decision making.

• Led workshops for Fitzwilliam Dunne, a specialist data advisory, on private market ESG leads on regulatory alignment, data challenges, and sustainability reporting, offering actionable insights to enhance ESG performance.

• Supports a Hurricane Capital registered US hedge fund with research, representation in UK industry events and operational support including cybersecurity vendor screening and the integration of AI tools.

• Provides C-suite and executive training on sustainability, equipping leadership teams with the knowledge to navigate evolving ESG trends and regulatory landscapes.

• Launched 'ESG Sum Newsleter', a weekly executive industry update on sustainable finance trends, strengthening industry connections and thought leadership presence.

• Brummell Magazine's Ones to Watch in the City for 2024, which celebrates the achievements of 30 entrepreneurial individuals under 40 in London's financial services, law and allied fields.

• Oversaw a FTSE 250 private markets firm's corporate sustainability strategy ensuring alignment with evolving market expectations. Provided training for internal teams across group functions in UK, Europe and Australia.

• Led corporate sustainability policy updates (modern slavery statement, nature recovery ambition statement) and industry frameworks (PRI, TCFD, TNFD and CSRD), across PE, Equity, Forestry and Infrastructure investment teams.

• Partnered on the design of a portfolio-wide sustainability dashboard (PACT) for over 200 portfolio companies and enhanced ESG investment DDQ.

• Member of Foresight's sustainable regulatory working group (SDR, SFDR CSRD), UKSIF SDR Implementation Taskforce and represented Foresight at industry events and multiple industry awards.

• Supported the firm's distribution strategy by aligning ESG disclosures with investor expectations across capital markets.

• Developed and executed firm wide ESG strategy and acted as an inhouse advisory lead for executive leadership, PE, L/S, listed equities investment teams across the US, UK & Denmark.

• Developed and executed the firm-wide ESG strategy, influencing investment decisions across equity, private equity, and hedge fund portfolios with over $13bn in AUM across the US, UK, and Denmark.

• Acted in a front-office advisory capacity supporting Sales and Investment teams in the development and marketing of ESG-labelled products, aligning fund strategies with institutional ESG mandates and regulatory requirements.

• Led the tender process and vendor negotiations for ESG and SFDR/PAI/EU Taxonomy data providers, securing $100K in cost savings and improving data quality and regulatory alignment.

• Spearheaded the Article 8 conversion of seven funds (~$2.65bn AUM) and supported the launch of the flagship Qblue Article 9 UCITS fund, which raised $460M in its first year.

• Achieved regional ESG fund certifications (FNG, AMF) and listed a thematic fund on The Big Exchange, enhancing the firm's sustainable product credentials.

• Strengthened ESG research and reporting capabilities through proprietary stock checklists, thematic research, and the development of ESG factsheets and KPIs.

• Led client and investor communications on ESG strategy, supported RFPs and sales teams during capital raising efforts for 14 funds.

• Presented ESG strategy and regulatory updates to the C-suite and Board as a member of the firm's investment and ESG commitees.

• Mentored junior ESG analysts and interns, while representing the firm at industry panels, global media (Bloomberg, All Street), and guest lectured at UK/Swiss business schools.