5pm, 14th July 2026
Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, London
The politics around sustainability have shifted, and ‘ESG’ as a term is already feeling dated. But for financial services boards, the legal, regulatory and commercial realities have not gone away. Stripped of the jargon, sustainability is about running a business that remains competitive while managing risk responsibly, protecting long-term value and recognising impact on customers, employees, markets and wider society.
At our next NEDs in FS Forum, we’ll be joined by the FCA’s Sustainable Finance Lead, Alicia Kedzierski, to discuss how NEDs can take a practical, proportionate and well-informed view of sustainability. The panel will also include legal expert Lily Marcel from Clifford Chance, sustainability adviser Robbie Epsom, and ESG data specialist and NED Nina Spencer.
Hosted by Clifford Chance, the discussion will focus on three broad areas:
1. Legal, regulatory and reputational risk
What boards need to understand about the current sustainability risk landscape, including regulatory expectations, greenwashing, disclosure obligations, litigation risk and the danger of making commitments the firm cannot evidence or deliver.
2. Embedding sustainability into the business
How firms can move beyond policies and statements to make sustainability part of day-to-day governance, decision-making, risk management, data, reporting and accountability.
3. The board conversation
What NEDs should be asking in the boardroom, including how to challenge the firm’s approach, what data and assurance they need, and how to support decisions that are realistic, proportionate and aligned with the business model.
As always, the discussion will be held under the Chatham House Rule, with plenty of time to continue the conversation afterwards over a glass of wine.
Kindly hosted by Clifford Chance
10 Upper Bank St, Canary Wharf Estate, London E14 5JJ
Tuesday 14th July 2026
5.00pm: registration and refreshments
5.30pm: discussion
6.50pm: drinks reception
Our monthly forum discussions are free of charge for members and associate members. Find out more about membership here.