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Episode 14 | 01/05/2026 - From values to outcomes: Stewardship, client identity and the future of investment alignment
In this episode of Accord Talks, Elly and Lee explore how shifting client expectations—particularly among younger investors—are reshaping advice, stewardship and fund design. They discuss new research on intergenerational wealth transfer, the rise of eco-anxiety, and why uncovering client values is becoming critical to trust, retention and outcomes. With insights from Natasha Lindell-Mills, Miranda Beacham and Audrey Ryan, the episode examines how stewardship and client-led investing are evolving in practice.
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Episode 13 | 01/04/2026 - From disclosure to understanding: Aligning client preferences with investment solutions
In this episode of Accord Talks, Elly and Lee explore the growing focus on consumer understanding under Consumer Duty and what it means for financial advisers in practice.They discuss the FCA’s latest guidance on communications, sustainable investment labels, and the Climate Change Committee’s latest carbon budget analysis. With insights from Graeme Devlin and Sam Buckingham, the episode looks at how firms can better understand clients, test communications and align investment solutions with real client needs.
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Episode 12 | 02/03/2026 - Vulnerability by omission: The risk firms don't see coming
What does it mean to know your client fully when risk is no longer just financial? This episode connects global risk, client preferences, Consumer Duty and vulnerability - and explains why understanding how clients feel about risk is now central to good advice. What happens when advisers don't ask about values? With guests Richard Farr (Telos Solutions / Comentis) and Mike Head (Ethical Investors / Ethical Screening), we examine vulnerability, resilience and the emerging risk of "vulnerability by omission" - and why foreseeable harm isn't limited to financial loss. Plus: Client Preference Ready, stewardship reform and CP26/5. A practical look at knowing your client fully.
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Episode 11 | 02/02/2026 - Know your client fully: Risk, Preferences and Consumer Duty in an uncertain world
What does it mean to know your client fully when risk is no longer just financial? This episode connects global risk, client preferences, Consumer Duty and vulnerability - and explains why understanding how clients feel about risk is now central to good advice.
Click here for the transcript and shownotes
Episode 10 | 12/01/2026 - Using climate data properly - and staying professionally relevant
We start 2026 by going deeper than the headlines. From understanding climate-related product reporting in practice to the role of lifelong learning in professional credibility. With guests James Dalby at Aviva Wealth and Rich Cooper at LIBF (part of Walbrook Institute).
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Episode 9 | 02/12/2025 - Why 2026 must be the year of knowing your client - fully
In this episode we look at the gulf between what clients say they want, what manufacturers deliver, and how advice firms are in between. The communication gaps exposed here can't be ignored - join us as we unpack why 2026 must be the year we fix that. We are also joined by Oscar Warwick-Thompson of UKSIF to look at issues in the distribution chain.
Show notes:
Lord Stern responds to COP30 outcome https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/news/lord-stern-responds-to-cop30-outcome/
Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing’s 2025 “Sustainable Signals: Individual Investors” report.
https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/sustainable-investing-interest-2025
Net Zero Lawyers Alliance - Sustainable Fiduciary Duty: The report https://www.netzerolawyers.com/publications/sustainable-fiduciary-duties-for-investors
Man Institute A Sustainable Future Podcast with Jason Mitchell Head of Responsible Investment Research, Man Group https://www.man.com/insights/ri-podcast-maurits-dolmans
Professor Lord Nicholas Stern: The Growth Story of the 21st Century The Economics and Opportunity of Climate Action
Download open access: https://press.lse.ac.uk/books/m/10.31389/lsepress.tgs
Webinar: Nicholas Stern’s book highlights (1hr,26mins) https://lselive.eckoenterprise.net/events/20251105/webcast?presentation=1&stream_id=28021
UKSIF and PWC - UK SDR and investment labels: Implementation lessons and road ahead https://uksif.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2417-UKSIF-SDR-report-2-v4b.pdf
Sustainable Investing in Practice: Objectives, Constraints, and Limits to Impact (Edmans, Gosling, Jenter 2025) https://www.fmg.ac.uk/isf/publications/discussion-papers/sustainable-investing-practice-objectives-constraints-and-limits
Episode 8 | 01/11/2025 - Financial Advice: What's COP got to do with it?
We explore the UN Conference of Parties: what they are, where they came from and why they are relevant to financial advice.
Episode recorded 28/10/2025.
Show notes:
Outrage & Optimism Podcast https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/episodes
Chatham House What is COP30 and why does it matter for the climate? https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/09/what-cop30-and-why-does-it-matter-climate
United Nations COP30 to take place 6-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/cop30
United nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Sustainable Development. The 17 Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Global Tipping Points Report 2025 https://global-tipping-points.org/
Episode 7 | 10/10/2025 - Accord Talks mini-series for UKSIF's Good Money Week Part 4
Some would argue that values or ethical investing is where it all started. In this episode we hear the FCA's view on where ethical and values based investments fit in the SDR. We also hear from a range of industry experts active in this area.
Episode 6 | 09/10/2025 - Accord Talks mini-series for UKSIF's Good Money Week Part 3
In this episode we hear valuable insights from the FCA on sustainability and how existing regulations exist to support advisers. We also hear from other expert guests on what good outcomes look like when it comes to ESG, sustainable and values based investment options.
Episode 5 | 08/10/2025 - Accord Talks mini-series for UKSIF's Good Money Week Part 2
In this episode we hear from the FCA on important aspects of sustainability and due diligence, plus other guests from across the industry describe their own processes for due diligence.
Episode 4 | 07/10/2025 - Accord Talks mini-series for UKSIF's Good Money Week Part 1
In this episode we hear from the FCA and other guests about the importance of discussing sustainability and values-based investment options with clients and how to record the conversation as part of the fact-findings and know your client process.
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Episode 3 | 01/09/2025 - Where, when and how to discuss Sustainability with investment clients
In this episode we discuss practical tips for advisers and the advice community on how to bring client values into the advice process in a meaningful and compliant way.
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Episode 2 | 01/08/2025 - The FCA's 2024 Financial Lives Survey
In this second episode, we look in detail at the FCA's latest Financial Lives Survey and in particular the data in the Responsible Investment section within the Consumer Investments Selected Findings.
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Financial Lives Survey 2024 Consumer Investments Selected Findings
Episode 1 | 03/07/2025 - Welcome to Accord Talks
Elly and Lee introduce themselves, ESG Accord and the Accord Initiative and share about their work, passions and what keeps them going in sustainable finance. They also look at the key insights from the four highly attended panel sessions with 16 industry speakers hosted last week at Reset Connect during London Climate Action Week.