Bryan McGovern

UN’s Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance reflecting on five years of impact investing guidelines

The United Nations’ Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance is marking five years of encouraging institutional investors to implement science-based targets towards curbing greenhouse gas emissions in their portfolios. The network launched with just 12 investment organizations and now counts 88 members across 19 countries. Its members’ collective assets under management have nearly quadrupled since 2019, from […]

  • October 10, 2024 October 9, 2024
  • 11:00

ICPM celebrating 20 years of promoting strong pension governance practices

The International Centre for Pension Management is celebrating 20 years of promoting strong pension governance practices by regularly engaging plan sponsor members, says Sebastien Betermier, the organization’s executive director. “It’s a milestone and it speaks to the value of having candid and quality exchanges among the pension funds . . . it’s a safe space for them […]

  • October 1, 2024 September 30, 2024
  • 11:00

How are Canadian DB pension plan sponsors making use of surplus funds amid positive funded status environment?

With many Canadian defined benefit pension plans in a strong funded position, plan sponsors, particularly those with unionized workforces, are increasingly discussing the use of surplus funds, says Gavin Benjamin, a partner in the retirement and benefits solutions practice at Telus Health. The funded position of a typical Canadian defined benefit pension plan rose on […]

  • September 26, 2024 September 25, 2024
  • 11:00

Increasing cybersecurity risks pushing institutional investors to build effective response plans: expert

An increase in the frequency of digital breaches among financial organizations is pushing institutional investors to take the necessary steps to prevent cyberattacks, says Sebastien Betermier, executive director at the International Centre for Pension Management. The complexity of the industry as well as the investment patterns of Canadian pension funds can create increased risk in […]

  • September 19, 2024 September 17, 2024
  • 09:00

Institutional investors’ demand for insurance-linked securities pushing transaction volumes to new highs: experts

An acceleration of significant weather events are impacting the risk premium earned from insurance-linked securities, providing a significant inflation hedge for institutional investors, says Bernard Van der Stichele, senior portfolio manager of insurance-linked securities at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan. “ILS investments earn a risk premium that is directly proportional to the level of risk […]

  • September 16, 2024 October 1, 2024
  • 09:00

IMCO betting big on private assets amid demand for sustainability

The Investment Management Corp. of Ontario is looking at private assets as an opportunity to support investment returns across various Ontario-based pension plans. “We believe in private assets,” says Rossitsa Stoyanova, the IMCO’s chief investment officer. “They allow us to use some of our advantages like having a long-term horizon, our [in-house] expertise and taking […]

  • September 13, 2024 September 12, 2024
  • 08:55

How are stewardship guidelines helping institutional investors address systemic risks?

Stewardship guidelines are helping institutional investors address climate risks and safeguard their investment in the long run, says Brian Minns, managing director of responsible investing at the University Pension Plan of Ontario. “We need stewardship as [a way of] protecting the investments that we have and trying to enhance their value over time for our beneficiaries. […]

  • September 11, 2024 September 9, 2024
  • 09:00

Are AI’s energy demands impacting the appeal of data centres to institutional investors?

The demand for artificial intelligence is leading to increased energy usage by data centres and creating a link between the two assets, says Matthew Mendes, managing director and head of infrastructure at the Investment Management Corp. of Ontario. “The growth is different than it was before — [there’s] more hyperscale companies coming into the mix. […]

  • August 13, 2024 August 12, 2024
  • 09:00

How Canada’s large pension funds are approaching green investment disclosures

Institutional investors are disclosing the environmental impact of their assets through increasingly sophisticated sustainability reports that use the latest disclosure metrics. While some of Canada’s largest pension funds are at the forefront of how to leverage responsible investment mandates and attempt to enact change through leadership in global organizations, the shortcomings of data reporting standards […]

  • August 9, 2024 August 7, 2024
  • 08:56

Suncor taking slow, steady approach to investment trends

Amid an increasingly volatile global economy, many institutional investors are employing innovative investment strategies to deliver returns, but Suncor Energy Inc. views a methodical adoption of new trends as key to plan stability. A conservative approach and a balanced portfolio has allowed Suncor to deliver sustainable contributions and growth to its pension plans. At the […]

  • August 9, 2024 August 27, 2024
  • 08:55