Stewardship for Sustainability Programme: Leading in Turbulent Times
In brief
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | 30 July - 1 August 2025 |
| Duration | 3-day residential |
| Location | Oxford |
Fees | |
| Private sector | £4,750 |
| Non-for-profit & public sector | £3,750 |
Contact
Programme Brochure
Overview
At a time when the ESG backlash has been given fresh impetus by the US government, we believe it’s more important than ever to show strong leadership in the field of responsible investment.
The Programme will give you an opportunity to discuss with your peers how best to responsibly steward the assets entrusted to your care by your clients, what the current political situation means for stewardship as a whole and your organisations in particular, and how to have a positive impact in your engagements with companies in whom you have invested.
The programme has been designed and developed collaboratively by the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group and ShareAction, pooling the University of Oxford’s academic excellence and ShareAction’s deep experience of co-ordinating successful engagement initiatives globally.
During the programme, participants will explore current and emerging engagement strategies; discuss data and analysis to inform engagement; and consider the role of policymakers, regulators, companies, and civil society in enhancing -or frustrating- effective engagement.
The programme will provide participants with a range of tools for engagement escalation and for robust evaluation of outcomes and impacts. The programme is grounded in real-world examples of stewardship, and participants will engage in practical exercises to apply and develop their stewardship capabilities.
Programme objectives
Through the programme participants will:
- Explore current and emerging engagement strategies being delivered in a more complex geopolitical context; understand the data and analysis that can inform engagement.
- Examine approaches for effective stewardship of systemic risks.
- Investigate developments in regulation and technology that prompt and enable engagement.
- Engage in practical exercises to apply and develop stewardship capabilities.
- Consider the role of policymakers, regulators, companies, lawyers and civil society in enhancing – or frustrating – effective engagement.
- Forge a global network of like-minded finance professionals that are approaching sustainability from different angles and perspectives.
- Learn from, challenge, and engage in conversation with leading Oxford faculty and expert practitioners who blend research with experience.
- Undertake a unique ‘Oxford experience’ and a residential programme which explores the history and culture that the city has to offer including walking tours and candlelit college dinners.
The programme is designed to equip participants with essential foundational knowledge of core principles and concepts in sustainable finance, as well as an advanced understanding of the very latest developments. It is an ideal preparation for current and emerging professional examinations in sustainable finance and related areas.
Alumni will receive invitations to our events and conferences as part of our growing community. Alumni are eligible for a 15% discount on all other Oxford Sustainable Finance Group open enrolment executive programmes.
The programme will bring participants from multiple geographies for an immersive and relational educational experience. Participants will establish professional contacts of enduring value that serve the interests of their organisations after the programme is completed.
This programme is designed to support individuals that are leaders in engagement and stewardship and represent organisations such as asset managers, asset owners (including pension funds and insurers), companies, financial institutions and investment consultancies. The programme is also well-suited to those working in civil society, funding organisations, government and regulatory bodies, data providers, exchanges and law firms who are interested in contributing to the principles, practices, and future direction of engagement and stewardship on sustainability.
The teaching faculty includes leading sustainable finance academics from the UK, continental Europe, and the USA whose research explores what makes stewardship successful and what factors inhibit positive outcomes. Sessions will also be led by practitioners with deep experience of designing and delivering stewardship initiatives involving stakeholders from across the world. Confirmed speakers include:
Dr Krista Halttunen, Career Development Fellowship in Sustainable Finance, Oxford Sustainable Finance Group
Professor Robert Bauer, Honorary Research Associate, Oxford Sustainable Finance Group
Dr Kevin Chuah, Assistant Professor of International Business & Strategy, Northeastern University
Rick Alexander, The Shareholder Commons
Catherine Howarth OBE
Apply
In order to apply please complete the online application form
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate their suitability for the programme in terms of:
- The relevance of the programme to their occupation and organisation
- Their experience and potential, particularly in areas related to programme content
- Applications will be reviewed and places awarded on an ongoing basis.
Applications are reviewed for suitability to the programme, and if the application is accepted, notification will be sent with a link for online payment.
Payment is due within 30 days of notification of acceptance, or 6 weeks before the programme begins, whichever is sooner. Registration will be confirmed on receipt of full payment of the programme fee. Places are allocated in order of receipt of payment. Prices are subject to revision.
Please read our full Terms and Conditions.
Fees & funding
The fee for the Stewardship for Sustainability Programme: Leading in Turbulent Times Programme is £4,750. There is a discretionary discounted rate of £3,750 for participants whose proven primary employment is in the public and third sectors. We define the public and third sectors as:
- central or local government
- regulatory agencies
- supervisory authorities
- central banks
- multilateral institutions
- non-profit civil society organisations
- registered charities
- philanthropic organisations
State-backed companies, including public financial institutions, operating to make a commercial return are not eligible for discretionary discounts. Nor are consultants serving public and third sector clients.
We apply the discretionary discount on a case-by-case basis and will prioritise those from emerging markets and developing countries. At the same time as considering a discretionary discount we will consider eligibility for bursaries based on merit and need. We may request further information from you and your employer before we can process a discount or bursary.
The programme fee includes all teaching costs, en-suite accommodation at an Oxford University venue for three nights, breakfast, lunch and a dinner. It does not include the cost of travel to and from Oxford, visas, insurance or any personal expenses.
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Private sector | £4,750 |
| Non-for-profit & public sector | £3,750 |
We have a small number of scholarships for applicants from the non-for-profit and public sectors, in particular for candidates from developing countries.
Scholarships will cover a proportion of the course fees depending on need, and are intended to increase diversity and accessibility.
To be considered for a scholarship please ensure you select the appropriate option on the application form.
Subscribe
Application form – collection notice
Information collected in the Application Form above will only be used for the purpose of evaluating your application to the programme at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (SSEE), School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE), University of Oxford.
By submitting this form you agree to Oxford processing and sharing the information you provide, along with your name, email address and job details, with ShareAction; and to the University of Oxford and ShareAction getting in contact with you for the purposes of course administration and providing promotional information.
Information provided will only be kept for as long as is necessary to fulfil this purpose. Information is handled, stored and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. By supplying this information you are consenting to the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, SoGE holding and using it for the purposes for which it was provided. For more information, please see the SoGE's Privacy Policy.
In brief
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | 30 July - 1 August 2025 |
| Duration | 3-day residential |
| Location | Oxford |
Fees | |
| Private sector | £4,750 |
| Non-for-profit & public sector | £3,750 |