Sustainability & ESG Business Summit 2021 – Let’s make our future together

In a career spanning 30 years, Ray has lived & worked in China for 20 of them and before Gleeds worked for ABB, Johnson Matthey and ICI. Ray sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus. Ray was co-author of the inaugural Position Paper on behalf of all four British Chambers in China and was part of the London outreach delegation presenting the Paper to the UK government and other stakeholders.

Nigel Topping was appointed by the UK Government as its High Level Climate Action Champion in January 2020.

High Level Climate Action Champion role is the bridge between the Presidency and the Parties (national governments) and non state actors – businesses, investors, cities and other sub national governments, and civil society. The High Level Climate Action Champion has a global remit and has established the Race to Zero campaign to get all actors to commit to net zero.

The Champion role was created in 2015 at the climate talks in Paris and is held for two years. Mr Topping is working alongside the Chilean COP25 High Level Climate Action Champion, Gonzalo Muñoz.

Mr Topping was most recently CEO of We Mean Business, and brings valuable expertise from 18 years in the private sector, having worked across the world in emerging markets and manufacturing.

Born in Wolverhampton, Chris graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1981 and joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Previous roles with the FCO include as HM Consul-General Guangzhou (2003-6); Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Beijing (2008-12); and Director, British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei (2013-16). Prior to his current role, Chris was Deputy Head, EU Delegation to China for the European External Action Service. Chris has also worked at the Cabinet Office and the Department of the Environment (from May 1997 Department of the Environment, Transport & the Regions).

Ms. Meng Liu is the Head of China Office with the United Nations Global Compact. Prior to this role, Meng serves as Asia Pacific Head, overseeing over 15 country networks and operations across the region. Before joining the United Nations in 2007, Ms. Liu has worked for the non-profit and public sector across the US and in Asia. She was a fellow on Asian public policy with Harvard Kennedy School and book author of “Responsibility Changes the World-UN Global Compact Leading Business Revolution Worldwide”. Ms. Liu speaks regularly at global and regional conferences on the topics of corporate social responsibility, inclusive business, climate change, cross-sector partnership and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ms. Liu has been honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2015 and nominated as the Local Chair for China for Young Global Leaders Communities in 2021. She also sits on Global Future Council on Frontier Risks as a member since 2020.

Sherry is the founding director of the University of Manchester Worldwide China Centre in Shanghai. She manages China Centre’s business strategies, alumni relations and partnerships in the region. Sherry is standing committee member of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association and vice president of SORSA UoM association. Sherry was appointed as an envoy to Manchester China Forum in 2013 and awarded ‘women leadership award’ and other influential awards in the field of education at municipal and national levels in recent years. She holds Masters’ degree in Contemporary literature in London as well as MBA degree from the University of Manchester. She was executive committee member of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai and currently serves as vice chair of the Education Focus Group. She published a few books such as overseas Chinese corporate reputation and Preparing for multiple challenges on the Belt and Road.

Rosie Hawes is a Partner in Control Risks’ Compliance, Forensics and Intelligence practice in Greater China and North Asia. In this role, she leads a team of consultants in advising clients in areas of business intelligence, pre-transaction due diligence and reactive investigations. Rosie has almost 20 years’ experience advising clients in how best to create responsible businesses through making informed decisions impacting their supply chain and market reputation.

Rosie is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE). She is a GRI Certified Sustainability Professional and has an MBA (China) from Jiaotong University. Rosie speaks native English, fluent Russian and is currently studying Mandarin.

Walter has over 15 years of accumulated knowledge and experience in different fields, including supply chain experience in manufacturing and international trade, responsible supply chain, responsible business, and corporate sustainable development. He got strong insight for the varied roles in the supply chain, from buyers to suppliers, from supply chain service providers to workers. He is now managing the Sedex operation in Asia, working closely with Sedex members and stakeholders including UN agencies, government, industry association etc. to promote responsible business in the supply chains. In recent years, he is focusing around operation and management, responsible business strategy, ESG, and multi-stakeholder communication and engagement.

Alex Roberts has been working in Shanghai with British-headquartered law firm, Linklaters LLP, since 2012 and previously studied and worked in Beijing (first in 2005). Alex advises on cross-border commercial and technology transactions, as well as cybersecurity and data protection regulation. From supply chains in healthcare M&A and digital collaborations to the ethics of using AI in automated decision-making in financial services, Alex’s legal and regulatory experience in transaction due diligence and operational risk management has become increasing intertwined with investor and other stakeholders’ focus on sustainability and ESG issues in China and the wider Asia region.

Since joining the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange, Yao Zhang has served as the head of the Marketing Department and the R&D Department, and has experience in the development of pilot carbon markets and the exploration of innovation in carbon market-related fields. Her main research projects include “Research on the Roadmap for the Development of National Carbon Market Trading Products”, “Research on the Price Formation Mechanism of National Carbon Market”, “Research on the Effectiveness of China’s Seven Pilot Carbon Trading Markets”, “Research on the Development Strategy of Dalian Carbon Finance”, “Construction of Phase I of Shanghai Carbon Inclusion Platform” and many other projects.

Daisy leads KPMG China’s energy related M&A projects. She has over 20 years’ experience with KPMG, including four years’ secondment to KPMG’s Energy Centre of Excellence in London. Daisy is specialized in oil and gas, renewable energy, infrastructure related investment, providing Financial Advisory, Deal Strategy, Due diligence, Valuation and Negotiation support in deals covering more than 20 countries around the globe. Daisy has been a member of the Executive Committee of British Chamber in China since 2018, dedicated in promoting trade, investment and economic development between China and the UK.

Mattie Bekink is responsible for the Economist Corporate Network’s China strategy, including programme development and client servicing across China. She also provides support to all Economist Corporate Network programmes worldwide with a China component.

Ms Bekink has extensive experience in the public, private and policy sectors. Prior to joining The Economist Group, she was the Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in the Netherlands. She also ran an eponymous consulting business, advising senior executives from businesses, universities and non-profit organisations on China policy, strategy, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility. Ms Bekink practiced law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, has worked with the US-Asia Law Initiative at NYU Law School and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative China Program, and served in the legal department at General Motors China.

Ms Bekink has a BA in International Relations from Stanford University and a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Kai Keller leads the World Economic Forum’s work at the intersection of innovation and financial stability where he is also a Global Leadership Fellow. He is working with private, public and civil society stakeholders exploring the transformation of the financial ecosystem resulting from technology-enabled innovation. His work focuses on the Future of Financial Services in China. Prior to joining the Forum, he was an equity salestrader at Credit Suisse, Macquarie Capital, and Daiwa Securities. He is a contributor to WIRED and CNN Business. Kai holds a B.A. in Politics and Economics from Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) and a M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University (Medford, MA).

David has been reporting from China for 20 years, and has covered the energy, climate and environment sectors for Reuters in Beijing and Shanghai for the last 11 years.

Mia Cheng is the Innovation and CO2 senior manager for Faurecia China. She takes the lead of CO2 neutrality program for Faurecia china including CO2 footprint calculation, roadmap design and project launch following group strategy. Mia is also in charge of Faurecia China open innovation work, including innovation ecosystem establish and maintenance, patent management, tech scouting & VC investment to start-up, and technology strategy.

Before joining Fuarecia, Mia has working experience in academy, OEM (VOLVO Group), and government background NGO (SAE China). She holds a Ph.D degree of Transportation Engineering from Southeast University, and was being a visiting scholar in University of Wisconsin- Madison, U.S. during her Ph.D program.

Antoine is Head of Strategy and Planning at HSBC in China. After several years in investment banking serving customers in EMEA, LatAm and Asia, Antoine joined Strategy in Europe to help the bank prepare for Brexit and then in China as it pivoted to Asia.

Antoine is a seasoned transaction banker who enjoys working in international environments on complex situations. Before joining HSBC, Antoine was with PwC and Lazard Brothers, where he learnt the value of hard work and passion on various M&A transactions and restructurings!

Antoine is happily married and a proud father of two wonderful daughters, a keen skier and runner which he often does for a cause. He has a degree in Business Administration from ESCP Europe, one of Europe’s leading business schools.

Zhiwen has over 14 years of rich experience and professional background in Carbon market industry.

He combines a rich commercial experience with an intricate knowledge of the carbon markets and takes a leading role in commercialising Climate Bridge’s carbon credit portfolio in China (like CCER, VER, IREC).

As General Manager of Climate Bridge , Zhi Wen originates the project sourcing and manages the relationship with clients and project developer. He is contributing to Climate bridge’s strategy and vision and leading the company to go big to be unlocked by business model evolvement and policy & advocacy.

Zhiwen holds a Finance MBA from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Master Degree of Environmental Engineering from Tongji University and Bachelor Degree of Environmental Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology.

In spare time Zhiwen enjoys Marathon race.

Dr Jiang joined a start-up company – Green Inclusive Internet Technology – in 2020 as the President with the mission to set up the internet platform to standardize the carbon reduction of consumers and businesses. It is the first kind in China with the collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and private sectors. She works in the innovative field to use blockchain and big data technology to provide solutions on carbon reduction on individual, business and city levels, specifically from the consumption side. In October 2020, she set up the Committee of Green Circular and Inclusive Development of All-China Environment Federation (CGCI-ACEF) and serves as the Secretary-General, with several working groups of the standard of carbon reduction scenarios and circular economy.

Dr Jiang holds PhD in Ecology studied at Wageningen University. She has the broad and mixed experience and expertise in the field of environmental sustainability development and policy. It includes 10 years national officer role at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) China (2008-2018); two years Secretary-General role of China Plastics Reuse and Recycling Association (CPRRA) (2018-2020), during which she took CPRRA as the first China Sectoral Association to join Global Commitment raised by Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UNEP of “New Plastics Economy” in late 2018.

Dr Jiang took efforts in taking the recycling sector of China to be aligned with branding companies and upstream of polymer companies for a close loop. She serves as the consultant of EU-China Environmental Policy and Circular Economy Dialogue, ADB, World Bank, WWF International on Plastics projects and reports. She was invited by China Delegation to WTO to attend the first WTO event on plastic pollution, she was invited by the EU to attend EU Circular Economy. She is a member of the P&G Sustainable Development Committee.

Goldie joined IQ-EQ in 2021. In her current role, she is responsible for developing IQ-EQ’s institutional business, including fund administration and ESG services in China. Goldie is a seasoned banker and has extensive business development experience within Greater China markets. Prior to joining IQ-EQ she worked in two of the biggest PRC Banking Groups.

Throughout her career, Goldie has been involved in helping her clients set up offshore fund structures and invest through various cross border investment pilot schemes such as QFII, RQFII, Stock Connects, Bond Connects etc. In addition to her banking experience, Goldie has 5 years’ experience in tax advisory and accounting. Goldie has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Business Law) degree with University of New South Wales and is also a member of CPA Australia.

Fei Li is the Associate China Director of CDP and currently leading all CDP’s activities in China. Since he joined CDP in 2017, Fei Li has been working to raise the awareness and management capacity of Chinese companies towards environmental risks. Also, he has explored how to use green finance mechanism to incentivize Chinese companies to introduce environmentally friendly supply chain policies and promote sustainable procurement practices. Prior to joining CDP, Fei Li served various organizations of United Nations. He contributed to the implementation of Green Jobs Project in ILO’s Asia Pacific Region. Later, he was responsible for grants approval and management for the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program in UNDP China Office. Fei Li graduated from Michigan Tech University with dual master’s degrees in Environmental and Energy Policy and Applied Nature Resource Economics. He published articles in Energy Strategy Reviews and other International and Chinese journals on renewable energy and carbon emissions trading.

Luo Nan joined as the Head of China for the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since October 2017.  She works with Chinese partners to raise the awareness of responsible investment in China and supports institutional investors to incorporate ESG issues into the investment process.

Before joining the PRI, Ms Luo worked with the Department of International Trade at the British Embassy in Beijing, where she was the Head of Institutional Infrastructure Investment, leading on attracting Chinese capital investment into UK Energy and Infrastructure projects. Prior to that position, she spent five years working in the Climate Change and Energy Section of the Embassy, focusing on green finance strategies and policy-oriented projects to address global climate change and support China’s low carbon transition. During her time with the Embassy, she has been seconded to the UK Department for International Development and the UK Green Investment Bank.

Reid has served for Harman International, Moleskine, Jabra from his past working experience, responsible for retail expansion, B2B and Channel management, also sales strategy in China. Currently, Reid holds his position in Goodgifts and takes lead on the sales team. Goodgifts is committed to providing merchandise and derivatives solutions for brands, through creative design, supply chain management and develops innovative green materials to serve branded customers, “Creating Good Life” is the company’s vision.

Shanghai-based Stephanie Lawson has been working in Hong Kong & Mainland China for the past 11 years. She has designed product for brands including Only China, H&M, JCPenney, Walmart, Macy’s, Toread, Karen Walker and founded her own denim athleisure brand Zodiac Active which focuses on ‘slow’ design, functionality and ethical sourcing. Under the moniker ‘Laws On Design’ she now wears many hats; lecturing at DeTao Academy (Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts), teaching up-cycling workshops, freelance journalism, consulting & design projects, all with a focus on sustainable design practice.

Shutong graduated from VU University Amsterdam, has a master degree in Environment & Energy Management Studies. Before coming back to China in 2015, He lived in the Netherlands for 9 years. Shutong has a great passion for Environmental and renewable energy. He used to work in the CSR department of the logistics company TNT, responsible for the global Electric Vehicle project, he also worked in solar energy projects. After his master study, he joined SkyNRG- the world first Bio jet fuel provider, supplied KLM with bio-jet fuel made from “used cooking oil”. As the Asian business development manager, he used to ship a large volume of the Used cooking oil from Asia to the EU to produce Biofuel. When he found out about the problem of used cooking oil in China, he decided to move back to China to solve this problem. In 2015, Shutong founded MotionECO, a company focus on providing sustainable transportation. Working on promoting low carbon fuels in China, including projects that convert the local used cooking oil into biofuel to be used in local buses and logistic fleets, which help to solve the food safety and environmental problems.

• Shutong is a fellow of Harvard SEED for social innovation
• 2019 DBS Foundation social entrepreneur awards
• 2018 UNEP Low-Carbon Lifestyles Challenge
• 2017 Forbes China 30 under 30
• 2017 CSA Climate Strategic Accelerator finalist
• 2016 Winner of The Venture global social Entrepreneurship competition China area
• 2016 SEE Foundation Green Entrepreneur
• 2016 Aiyou Foundation social entrepreneur partners

Victor has worked for LSEG/Refinitiv/Thomson Reuters/Reuters more than 27 years. He worked in variety of sales leadership roles across Europe and Asia. Some of the key roles include Business Manager Russia/CIS, Head of Sales CEE, Head of Direct London Hub, Head of New Business Europe. Currently he is leading Sales team in China. Victor has a proven track record of executing against sales & retention goals, leading sales teams, identifying and delivering against business opportunities. He has diplomas from Truman State University in the US and Financial University in Russia. Victor is based in Shanghai. He is married and has two teenage sons.

Professional experience:

• General Manager of Net Zero Business of Envision
• Vice President of Envision Digital
• CEO of TOTAL-Envision Energy Service Co.
• CEO of Jingdan New Energy Investment Co.

Education experience:

• Master of Shanghai Jiaotong University, China
• MBA of Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA

Previous experience:

• General Manager of Smart Solar Business, Envision Digital
• Head of Strategic Business Development & Corporate Branding, Envision group
• Project Director of McKinsey & Co.

Itee Soni is the co-founder of Loop Swim. She arrived in Shanghai in 2007 from New Delhi, where she designed for UK high-street brands Karen Millen, Paul Smith and Whistles. An honour graduate of India’s premier design university, NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology), she specialises in womenswear, textile, graphic and experiential design and creates Loop’s original signature prints, styles and graphics.

In 2010, she co-founded FINCH Designs along with Heather Kaye with the goal of upending the most unsustainable aspects of the fashion industry: fast fashion cycles, body negativity, throw-away quality and environmentally damaging raw materials.

In April 2019, FINCH Designs became Loop Swim, focusing on eco-swimwear made exclusively from Repreve recycled PET plastic bottles. Loop swimwear is responsibly made in China, and retails globally with value-aligned hotel, resort and specialty boutique partners. Recognized for their timeless, singular textile prints, Loop Swim has become the premium resource for the eco-conscious global traveller and a key player in raising ocean plastic pollution awareness.

Itee’s other passions are holistic wellness, yoga and Reiki and she combines these with her love of good design as a coach and mentor for educators and middle-school kids.

• Responsible for Fidelity’s WFOE investment team in China – Lead a team of investment professionals (fund managers, analysts, traders, investment operation, portfolio construction and risk, corporate access, investment compliance) in Shanghai.
• Prior role include projects to expand FIL’s direct investment access to emerging markets across Asia, implementing operational, investment, and governance requirements for new fund products and markets. Responsible for implementation of QFII, Stock Connect, and China Interbank Bond.
• Notable projects at FIL include driving operational implementation requirements to enable FIL to be the first foreign asset manager to launch a private domestic fund in China.

Mr Jason Zhang has 13 years of experience in strategic investment and marketing in the new energy industry. He was Vice President of Commercial Business Division of Hanergy Photovoltaic Application Group and President of Distributed Business Division of GCL New Energy Holdings Ltd. He is now coordinating the strategic development of the smart energy sector of Towngas Energy of Henderson Land Group, focusing on the construction of national zero-carbon city demonstration zone, company-level strategic cooperation, and the construction of energy industry ecosystem.

James graduated from University of Manchester in 2015 and began his career with the British Chamber in Shanghai as the Business Development Manager. James comes with a truly international perspective having worked in three different continents throughout his studies and has now lived in China for over 5 years. James has a vast amount of knowledge on how British business operates within the China market with an oversight of their operational challenges and the market access barriers.

James was made Executive Director in June 2019.

John Simpkins is the General Counsel for Jardine Matheson in China and Chief Representative for Jardines in Shanghai. John joined Jardines in 2009 and has held various senior legal positions within the Group including at retail subsidiary, The Dairy Farm Group.

John joined the Jardines Shanghai office in 2019 where the team focuses on business expansion and portfolio management in the China market.