Nicolas Cottis Director, Deal Advisory KPMG in France At KPMG, Nicolas identifies and drives client-focused environmental/sustainability initiatives to fuel commercial and business development on a global scale. For nearly 20 years, Nicolas has advised on mitigating environmental and social risks for global companies, such as GE Capital. Recognized as an authority in environmental due diligence, he has built a career that spans consulting and in-house corporate experience, with specialization in manufacturing, real estate, and financial services. At the onset of his career as a consultant, Nicolas learned how to recognize, quantify, and control environmental liabilities to maximize property transactions for global investment banks, law firms, and industrial clients. Later recruited by GE Capital, his expertise broadened to include financial products (loans, equity investments, and equipment financing). With this unique skill set, he introduced novel programs to ensure that environmental reviews remained at the core of the transaction risk analysis process. Companies simply cannot afford to expose themselves to environmental and social risks, and Nicolas has changed the face of environmental functions to capitalize on valuable investments.
James Holley Head of ESG Bridgepoint James is Head of ESG at Bridgepoint. Prior to this, he was UK Head of Responsible Investment and EHS at KPMG. Previously, he worked in the Sustainability team at Deloitte as an environmental due diligence transaction manager and at sustainability consultancy firm ERM. James has developed a comprehensive set of technical, legal and commercial analytical and reporting skills having project managed many large-scale ESG / sustainability projects during his career. He has significant due diligence deal experience, advising on numerous PE-backed deals (buy and sell side). Recent project experience includes the analysis of environmental, safety and food safety risks and opportunities as part of the exit of a leading European meat-free protein food manufacturer and buy-side support to a US PE firm on the acquisition of the UK's largest independent petrol station owner & operator. He has also advised several PE firms implement Responsible Investment strategies. James is passionate about the natural environment and engaging with local management teams on the sustainability agenda. He has first-hand experience dealing with ESG issues at the site-level helping management enhance their ESG processes, across a range of sectors including oil and gas, metals and mining, energy, waste management, retail, and industrial and food & drink manufacturing. James holds a Masters in Environmental Law from the University of Nottingham and a BSc in Environmental Science from Plymouth University.
Marta Jankovic Senior Sustainability and Governance Specialist, Head of ESG Integration APG Asset Management Marta Jankovic is Senior Sustainability and Governance Specialist at APG Asset Management overseeing the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) of APG s long term investments, monitoring their sustainability and ethical impact. Before joining APG, Marta practiced law for over 10 years with a focus on investment funds and corporate law. She was an in-house counsel at SVG, a London based private equity fund of funds, focusing on the structuring and development of fund products. Marta also led SVG's CSR Committee and oversaw the implementation of ESG considerations into investment practices. She previously worked for King & Wood Mallesons. As a member of Invest Europe s Board of Directors and LP Council, and Past-Chair of its Responsible Investment Roundtable, she has helped to promote ESG best practice across the industry. Marta is also a member of the PRI Private Equity Advisory Committee and the PRI Hedge Funds Advisory Committee and has contributed to a number of publications on responsible investment. She is a frequent conference speaker and commentator on alternative investments. Marta Jankovic is Invest Europeˆs Chair for 2017/18.
Dan Kjerulf Partner & Chief Legal Counsel Danske Private Equity Dan has 30 years of experience in legal matters relating to private equity and other financial transactions, and has been responsible for negotiating and structuring terms and conditions governing all portfolio funds in Danske PEP I-IV. Dan serves on the advisory committees of two portfolio funds and is a member of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Danish Venture Capital Association and of the Professional Standards Committee of Invest Europe. Dan s focus on negotiating and drafting commercially minded contractual relationships ensures an ongoing alignment of interest between Danske Private Equity, its investors and portfolio funds. Before joining Danske Private Equity, Dan was Head of the Legal Section in Danske Securities Corporate Finance, where his duties included due diligence on and monitoring of equity fund investments made by the Danske Bank Group, and advising third party clients on a range of transactions involving private equity funds. Prior to heading the legal section of Danske Securities, Dan held various legal positions within Danske Bank (HandelsBanken). Dan holds a law degree from the University of Copenhagen.
Therése Lennehag Head of Sustainability EQT Partners AB Therése Lennehag is Head of Sustainability at EQT. Since joining EQT Partners in 2009, she has worked closely with the organization on integrating responsible investment and ownership practices. Therése frequently also engages with investors and other stakeholders on sustainability matters, including being responsible for EQT's reporting to and interaction with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Prior to joining EQT Partners, Therése most recently worked as an Associate at Morgan Stanley's London and Stockholm offices in the Investment Banking Division (IBD) covering and executing transactions for clients in the Nordic region as well as working closely with EMEA IBD management. Before that she was an Analyst at Credit Suisse in the investment banking department covering and executing transactions for clients in the consumer goods, capital goods and transportation & logistics sectors. Therése is a member of the board of directors of EPER, the large private equity platform of Invest Europe (since June 2014), as well as a member of the Invest Europe Responsible Investment Roundtable (since January 2013; Chair 2013-2014), previously member of the Invest Europe Responsible Investment Working Group (since October 2009). Between May 2011 and December 2014, Therése served as member of the Invest Europe Professional Standards Committee, contributing to the development of the Invest Europe Professional Standards Handbook. Therése holds a M.Sc. in Economics and Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics.
Maaike van der Schoot Responsible Investment Officer AlpInvest Partners B.V. Maaike van der Schoot is AlpInvest Partners' Responsible Investment (RI) Officer, responsible for the development and implementation of the RI policy. Maaike chairs Invest Europe's Responsible Investment Roundtable and is also involved in PRI's Private Equity Workstream. Maaike joined AlpInvest in 2002 and was an investment manager in its Co-Investment team prior to her current role.