Like many, my views on the relative importance of defence were shaken by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  Hosting a lovely Ukrainian family taught me we should have been paying attention sooner. On or before 2014 might have been good.  You won’t need me to share a list of horrors and growing geopolitical risks to illustrate further, so what…

Amundi has been appointed to run the GGBI fund, the latest launch from the Brussels-based Global Green Bond Initiative. Launched on Monday (27 April), the ‘public-private’ investment vehicle – which combines capital from both private investors and government entities – will aim to mobilise private capital, targeting a fund size of €3bn. See also: Bluefield launches floating solar business The…

Nordea Asset Management has been awarded a near €1bn (£870m) ESG-focused European covered bond mandate by ABN AMRO Investment Solutions (AAIS). The mandate will be run by the firm’s fixed income rates team, which has over 20 years’ experience in the covered bonds space and is already managing over €40bn. AAIS maintains a core allocation to European covered bonds, reflecting…

Nordea Asset Management has been awarded two ethical investment mandates by New Zealand-based Pathfinder Asset Management. The firm will act as sub-investment manager for Pathfinder’s Responsible Investment fund and Global Water fund. The appointments follow a selection process run by Pathfinder, with over 70 managers evaluated for ethical alignment, quantitative capability, and sustainability leadership. The portfolios will be managed by…

Bluefield, owner of the £1.2bn Bluefield Solar Income investment trust, has launched a floating solar business within its development arm, in a bid to roll out utility-scale projects across England. The launch follows analysis conducted by independent consultancy CBI Economics, commissioned by Bluefield, which found floating solar could provide more than 40 gigawatts of clean power by 2050. Bluefield refers…

Girls Are Investors (GAIN) has appointed Anita Tiessen as chair of its trustee board, with her role commencing from 1 May 2026. Tiessen, who has been CEO of Youth Business International since 2018, has also previously served as the CEO of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Prior to this, she held senior roles at UNICEF UK…