What led you to work in sustainable finance?
At university I became interested in the role business plays in society, asking the question: why do businesses exist? I was particularly influenced by Professor Colin Mayer’s book Prosperity, which argues that the original role of a business is to solve a problem that a would-be customer is facing. I felt this mission had drifted over the last 60 years, more towards the theory of profit maximisation and Milton Friedman’s doctrine – that the sole purpose a business exists is to generate the most profits for shareholders.
Clearly, this focus on profit has led to many undesirable outcomes for society. The path of natural resource consumption is not currently sustainable, and the distribution of wealth and well-being has become less equal. We need to encourage businesses to operate differently and develop solutions to the issues we’re facing globally.
The best chance of this is through innovation, and the private sector has been society’s most effective innovative engine. The power of investing sustainably is in its ability to make sure the companies that are innovating have the funding to develop and scale their solutions to a level where they can make a difference.
Why Tribe?
I wanted to work with colleagues and clients who share the same belief in the power of finance as a mechanism for positive change.
What’s your most memorable work milestone?
Participating in various IPOs/primary offerings over the last few years. This is direct funding for some of the most innovative technologies and initiatives in battery storage, sustainable forestry, renewable energy and biodiversity.
What did you want to be growing up?
Apprentice to the best in the business (Jamie Innes)
Or playing sport for a living. I know there’s still time…
What’s your earliest memory?
Running to try and get backstage at a Banana’s in Pyjamas show in 2000.
If you had to pick, which of the 17 SDGs means the most to you and why?
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth.
Many of the solutions we need to face the world’s challenges haven’t been invented yet. In order for people to be encouraged to invent them, there has to be the opportunity to make a profit. Profit provides the incentive for people to take risks and change systems, but profit doesn’t exist without strong economic growth.
If you could have dinner with two people who would they be? What would you discuss/ask them?
From an investing perspective, I would like to ask Howard Marks about his philosophy. He makes investing seem so simple. Otherwise, I would love to ask either Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan about how they managed to stay so competitive and hard-working for so long.
If you weren’t an investment associate at Tribe what would you be?
Unemployed. And applying for jobs at Tribe.
What have you read, listened to, or watched recently that you’ve enjoyed?
The World for Sale was recommended to me by my colleague Aki, and it’s given me a completely different understanding of how the commodities industry has developed. It feels like a James Bond story.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but never have?
Drive the NC 500 in Scotland.
Give us an exclusive, what’s something no one knows about you?
I gave up a career as a child actor to pursue impact investing.
Picture this: A moment from Rob’s camera roll
