Hosted by Stanhope at 8 Bishopsgate and delivered in partnership with the Green Finance Institute (GFI), this breakfast seminar explored how the City can attract and unlock the investment needed to support its next phase of growth.
Following a presentation from Emma Harvey-Smith (Managing Director of Partnerships, GFI) the panel examined the opportunities and challenges associated with financing the offices, infrastructure, retrofit and resilience projects needed to support the Square Mile’s continued growth and global competitiveness. The discussion considered the role of innovative financial products in mobilising captal, alongside the importance of policy certainty, market confidence and a long-term approach to investment.
A key theme was the differing perspectives of debt and equity providers. While lender appetite for commercial real estate remains strong, uncertainty around future values and returns continues to make some equity investors more cautious. Panellists considered could help overcome some of the barriers to funding retrofit and resilience projects.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of public realm, infrastructure and the need to consider how these improvements can be funded over the long term. Innovative models including Property Linked Finance were explored as potential ways to unlock capital for energy efficiency, retrofit and climate resilience measures by linking long-term finance to the property rather than the individual owner.
Our speakers were:
Alexander Jan, Chief Economic Advisor – London Property Alliance (panel chair)
Laura Bretherton, Partner – Macfarlanes
Mark Clacy-Jones, Head of Real Estate Strategy – Aberdeen
Emma Harvey-Smith, Managing Director of Partnerships – GFI
Michael Kovacs, Founding Partner – Castleforge
Simi Shah, Director, Environment – City of London Corporation
From L to R: Simi Shah, Laura Bretherton, Mark Clancy Jones, Emma Harvey-Smith, Michael Kovacs and Alexander Jan
Emma Harvey-Smith delivering a presentation to attendees.
