Membership Directory - Individual
James Smyth
ESG Analyst at M&G
About
Bio: James started his career in 2016 as a Junior Research Analyst with CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), before taking a Gap year in 2019, which was followed by work in hospitality, before starting at M&G in April 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
James joined his current team, Stewardship and Sustainability, in May 2021. The main focus areas of the role are internally auditing how investment desks at M&G are integrating ESG into investment decision making, as well as discussing the impact of ESG impacts on portfolios with fund managers. The aim is to integrate ESG considerations across the business, including how diversity and inclusion factors impact business performance.
As a Junior Research Analyst at CDP, James produced award-winning Investor-focused reports on a number of high-emitting sectors, focusing on how ESG issues could have a material impact on company earnings.
James holds a degree in BA Geography with an Advanced Proficiency in French from the University of Exeter. He enjoys playing sports, including football, cricket and golf and is also a keen runner. James volunteers with Crisis and St Mungo's, currently as an outreach volunteer, working with people rough sleeping on the streets of Westminster. As well as speaking four languages (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese), James is also a keen cook and loves to experiment with new dishes from all over the world.
James is a supportive ally to the Pride network at M&G plc and to the LGBT+ community. He actively supports the network and is increasing his knowledge of LGBT+ issues by attending regular network meetings and undertaking specific D&I training. James is also a keen advocate of the integration of ESG issues, especially diversity and inclusion, into business practice and investment. Studies have shown that the most LGBT+ inclusive companies outperform the industry benchmark, so the more LGBT+ inclusive an organisation is, the better financial returns it delivers.
<u>James comments that: </u>
"Feeling welcomed and included is one of the most important feelings in both the workplace and in wider society, and by signing up to be an ally of the LGBT+ community with LGBT Great, I am able to clearly demonstrate my support for any and every member of the LGBT+ community. I have many friends in the LGBT+ community and I have always wanted them to feel as safe and welcomed as possible, and becoming an ally as part of LGBT Great initiative provides a great opportunity to show that".
James joined his current team, Stewardship and Sustainability, in May 2021. The main focus areas of the role are internally auditing how investment desks at M&G are integrating ESG into investment decision making, as well as discussing the impact of ESG impacts on portfolios with fund managers. The aim is to integrate ESG considerations across the business, including how diversity and inclusion factors impact business performance.
As a Junior Research Analyst at CDP, James produced award-winning Investor-focused reports on a number of high-emitting sectors, focusing on how ESG issues could have a material impact on company earnings.
James holds a degree in BA Geography with an Advanced Proficiency in French from the University of Exeter. He enjoys playing sports, including football, cricket and golf and is also a keen runner. James volunteers with Crisis and St Mungo's, currently as an outreach volunteer, working with people rough sleeping on the streets of Westminster. As well as speaking four languages (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese), James is also a keen cook and loves to experiment with new dishes from all over the world.
James is a supportive ally to the Pride network at M&G plc and to the LGBT+ community. He actively supports the network and is increasing his knowledge of LGBT+ issues by attending regular network meetings and undertaking specific D&I training. James is also a keen advocate of the integration of ESG issues, especially diversity and inclusion, into business practice and investment. Studies have shown that the most LGBT+ inclusive companies outperform the industry benchmark, so the more LGBT+ inclusive an organisation is, the better financial returns it delivers.
<u>James comments that: </u>
"Feeling welcomed and included is one of the most important feelings in both the workplace and in wider society, and by signing up to be an ally of the LGBT+ community with LGBT Great, I am able to clearly demonstrate my support for any and every member of the LGBT+ community. I have many friends in the LGBT+ community and I have always wanted them to feel as safe and welcomed as possible, and becoming an ally as part of LGBT Great initiative provides a great opportunity to show that".