Leading Sustainability
In this podcast, join specialist sustainability recruiter Tom Strelczak from TWS Search Partners as he sits down with sustainability leaders from across geographies to discuss their careers and the realities of working in this complex sector.
Sustainability has become an exciting and significant area of growth across the world, with many aspiring professionals and graduates looking to move into this sector and forge meaningful careers.
Away from the draw of creating impact and making a difference, what is it really like to work in sustainability and what would leaders in this sector tell you about their experiences and how they got into the industry?
Leading Sustainability
Episode 6: Leading Sustainability - James Corah (CCLA Investment Management)
In the sixth episode of #LeadingSustainability, I meet with James Corah, the Head of Sustainability and Member of the Executive Committee at CCLA Investment Management, the UK’s largest charity fund manager, working with charities, religious organisations, and the public sector.
James has been widely recognised for his contributions to the sustainability sector, featured in the Financial News ’50 Most Influential in Sustainable Finance’ and recipient of the Investment Week award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Sustainable Investment Industry’.
We dig into the passion and purpose behind James’ evolution in this sector, discuss the different types of career trajectories for those from diverse backgrounds and what can be done to combat some of the misinformation and criticisms circling the industry right now.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Leading Sustainability podcast overview and introduction
(00:27) Getting into sustainability through vocational academics
(03:35) Advice breaking into the sector at a competitive time
(05:32) Personal and workplace evolution of purpose and motivation
(08:14) How businesses articulate what sustainability means to them
(11:00) The trajectory for the industry after recent recalibration
(12:51) Addressing career fears and challenges in sustainability
(15:36) Crucial traits and skills to be successful in this sector
(17:36) Financial and non-financial backgrounds in sustainability teams
(21:03) Nuances of matching the right individual to the right role
(23:00) Combating sectoral misinformation and politicization
(26:42) The value of sustainability qualifications and accreditations
(28:46) The role of specialists versus generalists in the business
(31:50) Career progression as an individual contributor
(33:57) Making the leap to leading a sustainable investment function
(35:45) Compliance infiltrating the day-to-day sustainability role
(38:04) The common perception of working in sustainable finance
(40:06) Options for an alternative career outside of sustainability
(42:08) Reasons to be positive about the future in this sector