Pauline Becquey, a sustainable finance and CSR expert, becomes Finance for Tomorrow new Managing Director
Pauline Becquey, a sustainable finance and CSR expert, becomes Managing Director of Finance for Tomorrow. Her appointment comes at a major turning point for the sustainable finance initiative of the Paris Financial Centre.
The arrival of Pauline Becquey, (33), gives a new impetus to the Paris Financial Centre’s green and sustainable finance initiative, launched within Paris EUROPLACE in June 2017. Graduated from Sciences Po Bordeaux in 2010, she has developed a strong expertise in sustainable finance during her various experiences. As a consultant and then manager in the sustainability team of a major audit and consulting firm (EY), she carried out numerous assignments in the financial sector. In particular, she audited the extra-financial and impact reporting of major French banks and the IFC (World Bank Group), accompanied the issuance of Green Bonds, contributed to the development of sectoral investment policies, accompanied the definition of sustainability strategies, etc. Her various missions also allowed her to understand the CSR challenges of non-financial companies.
As Head of sustainable development for the French Federation of Insurance (FFA), she provided operational support to insurers in their transformation towards sustainable finance. She contributed to the implementation of the monitoring of sustainable finance indicators for the sector and coordinated the work of the insurance industry on the inclusion of climate risks in investment portfolios, the definition of ESG engagement and exclusion policies, and policies relating to coal exit. She is also co-author of the reference book “CSR in insurance”.
Her perfect mastery of regulatory issues and her comprehensive knowledge of the Paris financial Centre’s ecosystem are assets to lead Finance for Tomorrow, which has experienced unprecedented growth since its creation.
Today, as the issues of fighting global warming and preserving our planet’s biodiversity call more than ever into question the sustainability of our economies, Finance for Tomorrow brings together more than 85 members representing the entire financial sector, a three-fold increase since its creation. And as the sustainable transformation of finance gains traction, its projects are multiplying, with initiatives that include the creation of a Working Group on Impact Finance, the launch of the Investor Coalition dedicated to the Just Transition, and the organisation of the 4th edition of the Fintech Challenge as well as Climate Finance Day, to be held just before COP26.
Together with Thierry Déau, Chairman of Finance for Tomorrow, and the association’s Board, Pauline Becquey will spearhead the implementation of an ambitious roadmap to ensure that the Paris Financial Centre continues to play a leading role in the henceforth competitive challenges of green and sustainable finance.
The goal is to maintain the pioneering nature of Finance for Tomorrow, accelerating the movement and undertaking the change of scale necessary to succeed in the transition pathway. This entails:
- Continuing to mobilise financial players and becoming a collective resource centre dedicated to the transition and competitiveness of the centre’s financial community,
- Developing academic research and promote French expertise,
- Strengthening synergies between financial actors and businesses,
- Raising public awareness and supporting schools and universities in the area of sustainable finance,
- And, making the Sustainable Finance Observatory a globally recognised resource.
Governance
Pauline Becquey joins the 14 members that comprise the Finance for Tomorrow Board, elected in May 2020 for a two-year term. Following the departure of Pierre Ducret, Climate Advisor for Caisse des Dépôts, Matthias Seewald, Executive Committee member and Investment Director and of Allianz France is joining the Board.
‘Finance For Tomorrow has already come a long way, but we still need to pursue our mobilisation to the next level and change scale for sustainable finance to become a mainstream practice. It is with the utmost enthusiasm and conviction that I shall devote myself to building the finance of tomorrow alongside our members.’
Pauline Becquey, Managing Director, Finance for Tomorrow
‘The expectations are high, the stakes are global, and there are many developments ahead; but I am convinced that Pauline will be able to meet the challenges ahead of Finance for Tomorrow. She has the skills and resources to successfully carry out the change of scale that awaits us and continue to unite the Paris Financial Centre.’
Thierry Déau, Chairman, Finance for Tomorrow