Simon Connell
Expert in Sustainability
Contact Simon
"Achieving sustainable development is a whole-of-society challenge, and financial services serves the whole of society. My favourite projects are helping clients unlock how they can respond in ways which accelerate their organisational strategy."
At a glance:
Joined Baringa in
2022
Works across
Financial Services, and co-leads Baringa’s natural capital practice
Favourite place
Salcombe in Devon, although the botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town is a close second
In detail:
Simon joined Baringa in 2022, bringing over fifteen years’ experience in helping financial institutions understand and manage the environmental, social and governance risks arising from their client portfolios, and unlocking value as a result.
He is a passionate believer in the importance of sustainable development and has a strong track record of building broad-based coalitions to effect long lasting change on climate and sustainability. This includes being as Chair at the Net Zero Banking Alliance, and Chair at the University of Cambridge Banking Environment Initiative where he remains a Senior Associate.
Simon enjoys helping organisations critically assess the issues which will shape them in the coming years, and responding through every day practice; engaging with diverse teams, building capability, embedding policy and processes whilst always keeping sight of the societal and planetary objectives which these need to contribute to.
Simon draws energy from the diversity of client challenges – whether this is helping clients prepare for nature reporting, restructuring their environmental, social and governance frameworks, think about how they can maximise the provision of finance to the transition, or assessing the social and human rights risks of a new investment.
Simon is a keen cyclist, having sat on and advised the Board of Cycling UK between 2007 and 2019. He enjoys cycling to work and leisure rides with his partner and three children.
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