This case study examined the approach by one of the world’s leading asset owners to incorporate sustainability, AP4. By implementing measures adapted to the asset class and style of investments, AP4’s team in alternative investments works to both reduce risks and capture opportunities related to the sustainability transformation.
Jenny Askfelt Ruud is Head of Alternative investments, i.e., private market investments in real assets, private equity and private debt, at Fjärde AP-fonden (AP4). AP4 is one of five buffer funds within the Swedish state pension system managing about USD 50 billion. A fundamental belief of AP4 is that integration of sustainability aspects in asset management and investment analyses and decisions is a necessity for a long-term pension manager.
Ms Askfelt Ruud started her career in M&A at Morgan Stanley in London in 1998, where she also worked as an associate at venture investor Arts Alliance. Joining McKinsey & Company’s corporate finance practice in Stockholm in 2001 allowed her to work on strategic and operational advisory with a broad range of clients, including several investment houses. In 2007, she joined Private Equity-investor Ratos and worked as Senior Investment Manager for some years before becoming the firm’s first Head of Sustainability, in charge of implementing ESG and sustainability in the firm’s investment and ownership practices. She joined AP4 in 2018 with a mission to increase AP4:s private market exposure and investments in sustainability themed strategies.
Ms. Askfelt Ruud received her master’s degree in finance and accounting from Stockholm School of Economics.
Tate has been an investment industry media publisher and conference producer since 1996. In his media career, Tate has launched and overseen dozens of print and electronic publications. He is the chief executive and major shareholder of Conexus Financial, which was established in 2005, and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
The company hosts more than 20 conferences and events globally each year and publishes three digital publications, including the global website and strategy newsletter for global institutional investors Top1000Funds.com, Professional Planner for financial planners, accountants and private bankers in Australia and Investment Magazine for Australian superfunds and institutional investors. One of the company’s signature events is the bi-annual Fiduciary Investors Symposium attended by global asset owners and hosted in the Americas and Europe.
Conexus Financial’s events aim to place the responsibilities of investors in wider societal and political contexts, as well as promote the long-term stability of markets and sustainable retirement incomes.
Tate served for seven years on the board of Australia’s most high profile homeless charity, The Wayside Chapel; and he has underwritten the welfare of 60,000 people in 28 villages throughout Uganda via The Hunger Project. In 2021 was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) for significant service to the community through charitable initiatives.
