About | Alexandra Brown

Alexandra Brown

Alexandra is the Founder of Ethical Invest Group and supports finance professionals with understanding and implementing ethical and sustainable investment. Alexandra provides ESG, sustainable finance and advice solutions including consulting, education, and professional development.

PROFILE

Alexandra is the Founder of Ethical Invest Group and supports finance professionals with understanding and implementing ethical and sustainable investment. Alexandra provides ESG, sustainable finance and advice solutions including consulting, education, and professional development.

Specialising in mentoring financial advisers with their transition from traditional to ethical investment advice, Alexandra has developed the Ethical Advice Accelerator, an online program that upskills and supports advisers as they bring together client values and sustainable investment in their service offering.

Passionate about ethical and responsible investment, especially in the financial advice space, she is an active member of the Ethical Advisers’ Co-op, and previously on the Board.

Alexandra is Co-Founder and Head of Research for Altiorem. She led the development of the library’s taxonomy and established the systems and training to support the generous volunteers who are building Altiorem’s content. She now focuses on maintaining the depth, breadth, and quality of research in the library.

RECENTLY REVIEWED BY ALEXANDRA BROWN

RIAA's responsible investment benchmark reports

Responsible Investment Association Australasia
This series of benchmark reports, prepared by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), explores the size, growth, depth, and performance of the Australian responsible investment market, comparing results with the broader financial market. It provides an in-depth analysis of responsible investment practices, trends, and regulatory developments.
Benchmark/series

Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations
The Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF) supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IATF annually reports on the global implementation of financing for development outcomes and advises on its progress and gaps, and provides recommendations.
Organisation
1 research item

Integrating nature: The case for action on nature-related financial risks

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) has written this paper to equip senior management within financial institutions to integrate nature-related risks into financial decisions. The paper details why action needs to be taken and the steps to accelerate the integration of nature into finance.
Research
7 April 2022

Building peace and prosperity: What business can do

United Nations Global Compact
A brief look at the policies and actions stakeholders can do to confront and prevent violent conflict in high-risk areas. Actions are laid out for businesses, governments, the United Nations, investment community, and civil society. Multi-stakeholder initiatives to support building and investing in peace are presented.
Research
19 September 2018

Driving improvements in modern slavery reporting: The role for Australian investors

ISS
Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 (MSA) was intended to create a race to the top among Australian companies in addressing modern slavery disclosure. The response from corporate Australia is lagging, however. This research on disclosures under the MSA identifies three key gaps in S&P/ASX 300 modern slavery reporting and performance.
Research
3 February 2022

Diversity wins: How inclusion matters

McKinsey & Company
This report highlights that the business case for gender and ethnic diversity in executive teams is stronger than ever, having been deepened by the COVID-19 crisis. Emphasis on diverse representation within organisations is no longer sufficient; employees must feel and perceive equality and fairness of opportunity in their workplace.
Research
19 May 2020

Taking the carbon out of credit: An integrated approach to removing climate emissions from lending

Climate Safe Lending Network
This report makes a complete case for banks and lending institutions to avoid further damaging of the climate. It provides both justification for why this is an important financial undertaking, and principles for how to go about and do it.
Research
20 July 2020

ESG and financial performance: Aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies

This study examines the positive relationship between ESG (environmental, social, and governance factors) and corporate financial performance, through examining over 2000 empirical studies; a strong business case is also seen across regions and asset classes. Findings show an expected alpha when embracing ESG in investment strategies.
Research
15 December 2015

Shifting perceptions: ESG, credit risk and ratings - part 3: From disconnects to action areas

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This is the third report from the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), delving into environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks for fixed income investors and credit rating agencies. This report includes a list of best-in-class practice to advance thinking and practice to incorporate ESG into debt investing.
Research
31 January 2019

Guide for responsible corporate engagement in climate policy: A Caring for Climate report

United Nations Global Compact
A 2013 report on the business community's engagement with climate change, and the best way for companies to implement policies that ensure greenhouse gas emissions are reduced whilst supporting the global economy. The report sets guidelines for why and how companies can provide constructive influences on public policy.
Research
15 November 2013

Rating the raters: Evaluating how ESG rating agencies integrate sustainability principles

This report questions how environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria, used by ESG rating agencies in their assessment processes, have evolved over a ten year period. Additionally, they analyse whether ESG rating agencies are contributing to fostering sustainable development through the inclusion of sustainability principles in their assessment frameworks.
Research
11 February 2019

Moving toward gender balance in private equity and venture capital

International Finance Corporation
This report examines the gender gap in the private equity and venture capital industry, specifically in emerging markets. The correlation between gender balance and fund performance is explored. This report puts forward key actions to improve gender balance and examines the benefits of its improvement in leadership teams.
Research
22 March 2019

Oliver Wyman

Commercial Organisations
Oliver Wyman is a global management consulting firm that services other firms, governments and society. They offer multiple capabilities in areas such as risk management, strategy, climate and sustainability. Their services cover a wide variety of industries including automotive, energy and nature resources, industrial products, financial services and education.
Organisation
2 research items

RockCreek

Commercial Organisations
RockCreek is a global investment firm known for their innovation and focus on sustainability. With $15 billion in assets, they invest in a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurs, companies and investors. They focus on climate and sustainable opportunities across multi-asset class solutions.
Organisation
1 research item

Private equity and value creation: A fund manager's guide to gender-smart investing

International Finance Corporation
This report examines the increase in adoption of gender-smart investing within the private equity industry by general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs). Lessons from over 160 fund managers have been utilised in this step-by-step guide to choosing gender-smart investment strategies, and putting policies into practice within firms and portfolios.
Research
16 November 2020

British International Investment (formerly CDC Group)

Government Sponsored / Multilateral Organisations
British International Investment is the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor focused on solving development challenges. Their investments in green infrastructure, technology and other sectors, help create more sustainable and inclusive economies in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, enabling people to build better lives for themselves and their communities.
Organisation
1 research item

RECENTLY POSTED BY ALEXANDRA BROWN

Gender lens investing

Expert Guide for: Financial advice, investment
Gender lens investing (GLI) involves a range of investment approaches that seek to improve gender outcomes. GLI strategies promote gender equality and women's empowerment, while also generating financial returns. This guide defines GLIs, explores the practical implementation of gender lens strategies with case studies and best practice, and highlights top ways to learn more.
Expert guide
16 November 2023

Empowering female investors

The latest ASX Investor Study noted that women comprised 45% of total new investors over the 12-month period to March 2021, highlighting a positive uptick of female shareholders in the equity market, and progress toward enhancing women’s economic empowerment.
Article
10 October 2022