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Today on the show, we're going to take a break from the breaking news cycle. Instead, we'll hear one of the final interviews given by longtime Wyoming US Senator Al Simpson, who died in Cody on March 14th. Jim Raymond and Jim Jones are co-hosts of the podcast JimJam. The podcast focuses on the transition from work life to retired life. Back in December, they went to the home of Al and Anne Simpson. They spent a day interviewing both of them. We will listen to the full conversation with Al.
Anne Simpson, global head of sustainability at Franklin Templeton, joins Emma McGarthy, head of OMFIF's Sustainable Policy Institute, to assess the role of public pension and sovereign funds in transition finance. They also discuss the work of the Transition Finance Working Group, which has spoken with 12 of the biggest funds on their transition strategies and challenges. The working group conversations have been distilled into a research report by OMFIF, which will be launched at a seminar during COP29. To join OMFIF, Franklin Templeton and global public funds at COP29, register here. To read more about OMFIF's Transition Finance insight, click here.
Anne Simpson, newly appointed global head of sustainability at Franklin Templeton, joins Emma McGarthy, head of OMFIF's Sustainable Policy Institute, to discuss the need for a more holistic approach to environmental, social and governance issues. They examine the convergence of standards and the impact of the newly created International Sustainability Standards Board, the role of the financial sector in achieving net zero and how to reallocate capital towards ESG investments. They explore how to prevent greenwashing, active ownership versus divestment and the increasing role that labelling is playing in investment decisions.
Spy Author Paul Vidich returns to the Spybrary Spy Podcast to talk about his latest spy novel The Matchmaker, set in Berlin in 1989. In the vein of Graham Greene and John le Carré, The Matchmaker delivers a chilling Cold War spy story set in West Berlin, where an American woman targeted by the Stasi must confront the truth behind her German husband's mysterious disappearance. More about The Matchmaker - A Spy in Berlin by Paul Vidich Berlin, 1989. Protests across East Germany threaten the Iron Curtain and Communism is the ill man of Europe. Anne Simpson, an American who works as a translator at the Joint Operations Refugee Committee, thinks she is in a normal marriage with a charming East German. But then her husband disappears and the CIA and Western German intelligence arrive at her door. Nothing about her marriage is as it seems. She had been targeted by the Matchmaker—a high level East German counterintelligence officer—who runs a network of Stasi agents. These agents are his "Romeos" who marry vulnerable women in West Berlin to provide them with cover as they report back to the Matchmaker. Anne has been married to a spy, and now he has disappeared, and is presumably dead. The CIA are desperate to find the Matchmaker because of his close ties to the KGB. They believe he can establish the truth about a high-ranking Soviet defector. They need Anne because she's the only person who has seen his face - from a photograph that her husband mistakenly left out in his office - and she is the CIA's best chance to identify him before the Matchmaker escapes to Moscow. Time is running out as the Berlin Wall falls and chaos engulfs East Germany. But what if Anne's husband is not dead? And what if Anne has her own motives for finding the Matchmaker to deliver a different type of justice?
PAUL VIDICH Cold War spy thriller writer, TIM SHIPMAN Chief Political Commentator for The Sunday Times and Paul Burke discuss Vidich's new novel THE MATCHMAKER and all things spy fiction related. Including an exclusive announcement of the highest placed living author on Tim Shipman's 120 top spy writers (Spybrary)THE MATCHMAKER: Berlin, 1989. Anne Simpson, an American who works as a translator at the Joint Operations Refugee Committee, thinks she is in a normal marriage with a charming East German. But then her husband disappears and the CIA and Western German intelligence arrive at her door. Nothing about her marriage is as it seems. Anne had been targeted by the Matchmaker - a high level East German counterintelligence officer - who runs a network of Stasi agents. These agents are his 'Romeos' who marry vulnerable women in West Berlin to provide them with cover as they report back to the Matchmaker. Anne has been married to a spy, and now he has disappeared, and is presumably dead. The CIA are desperate to find the Matchmaker because of his close ties to the KGB. They believe he can establish the truth about a high-ranking Soviet defector. They need Anne because she's the only person who has seen his face - from a photograph that her husband mistakenly left out in his office - and she is the CIA's best chance to identify him before the Matchmaker escapes to Moscow. Time is running out as the Berlin Wall falls and chaos engulfs East Germany. But what if Anne's husband is not dead? And what if Anne has her own motives for finding the Matchmaker to deliver a different type of justice?Paul Vidich has had a distinguished career in music and media. Most recently, he served as Special Advisor to AOL and was Executive Vice President at the Warner Music Group, in charge of technology and global strategy. He serves on the Board of Directors of Poets & Writers and The New School for Social Research. A founder and publisher of the Storyville App, Vidich is also an award-winning author of short fiction. His novels, An Honorable Man, The Good Assassin, The Coldest Warrior ,The Mercenary and The Matchmaker all available from No Exit Press.Tim Shipman is the Chief Political Commentator of The Sunday Times, a contributor to Spybrary and a fan of all things spy related. Tim is the author of ALL OUT WAR: The Full Story of Brexit and FAll OUT: A Year of Political Mayhem. Tim's 120 Top Spy Writers Produced by Junkyard DogMusic courtesy of Southgate & LeighCrime TimePaul Burke writes for Crime Time, Crime Fiction Lover, NB Magazine and the European Literature Network and edits/presents Crime Time FM.Matchmaker No Exit Press direct or other buying services, paperback or eBook.RecommendationsTV:FaudaLe BureauThe SandbaggersPossibly looking forward to The IPCRESS File (ITV) and Slough House (Apple)Novels:The Soul of Victor Tronko - David QuammenThe Berlin Exchange - Joseph KanonGraham GreeneDavid IgnatiusA Spy's Fate - Arnaldo Correa Len Deighton Berlin Game, Set & Match series How to Betray Your Country - James WolffRed Sparrow - Jason MatthewsDamascus Station - David McCloskeyFactual The File - Timothy Garton Ash
Berlin, 1989. Protests across East Germany threaten the Iron Curtain and Communism is the ill man of Europe.Anne Simpson, an American who works as a translator at the Joint Operations Refugee Committee, thinks she is in a normal marriage with a charming East German. But then her husband disappears and the CIA and Western German intelligence arrive at her door.Nothing about her marriage is as it seems. She had been targeted by the Matchmaker—a high level East German counterintelligence officer—who runs a network of Stasi agents. These agents are his "Romeos" who marry vulnerable women in West Berlin to provide them with cover as they report back to the Matchmaker. Anne has been married to a spy, and now he has disappeared, and is presumably dead.The CIA are desperate to find the Matchmaker because of his close ties to the KGB. They believe he can establish the truth about a high-ranking Soviet defector. They need Anne because she's the only person who has seen his face - from a photograph that her husband mistakenly left out in his office - and she is the CIA's best chance to identify him before the Matchmaker escapes to Moscow. Time is running out as the Berlin Wall falls and chaos engulfs East Germany.But what if Anne's husband is not dead? And what if Anne has her own motives for finding the Matchmaker to deliver a different type of justice?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/houseofmysteryradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Anne Simpson is one of the key figures in U.S. climate finance. As head of Board Responsibility at U.S. pension fund CalPERS, it's her job to give companies a hard time if they shirk on decarbonisation. Ahead of November's critical COP26 conference, she chatted to George Hay. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Washington Post reporter Libby Casey speaks with U.N. special envoy on climate action and finance Mark Carney and the managing investment director of CalPERS Anne Simpson about the investment methodology known as Environmental, Social and Governance.
The prophet who didn't say anything - Mark 14:1-8 - Chris and Anne Simpson
When the Simpson family waved goodbye to their Grandma Anne one Autumn afternoon in 2004, no-one realised it was the last they'd ever see of her. So what happened to the charismatic Anne Simpson, who'd recently relocated to a Lincolnshire seaside town to start a new life? Was she a victim of the sea or circumstance? If you have information on any of the cases covered in the podcast, please visit TheMissingPodcast.org, where you can find contact information as well as contribute and discuss on the Locate International forum. The Missing is a Podimo podcast series hosted by Pandora Sykes, produced by What's The Story Sounds and made in association with investigation specialists Locate International and the charity Missing People. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Start of interview [1:06]Kerrie's "origin story" [1:34]Her initiation on corporate governance matters with the UK Institute of Directors (IoD) (2000-2004) [3:49]Her take on corporate director education and training [5:42]Her role at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) (2005-2008) [7:43]Her transition to the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) (2008-Present) [9:49]History and mission of ICGN [11:56]. It was established in 1995, it has grow to over 800 members from 43 countries, (~70% of members are based in North America and Europe, ~20% in Asia). These members represent ~US$54 trillion of AUM. ICGN Global Governance PrinciplesICGN Global Stewardship PrinciplesEngagement with regulators (they send ~20-25 engagement letters to regulators per year). "ICGN brings a global investor flavor to national issues."The concept of "investor stewardship" and its evolution over time [15:27]The Cadbury Report (1992)The UK Stewardship Code (2010)The European Shareholder Rights Directive II (SRDII) (2020).Recently, UK and Japan have expanded stewardship principles beyond equity to all asset classes (Japan Stewardship Code, 2020)Her take on the debate of the purpose of the corporation (shareholder primacy vs stakeholders) [20:36]Business Roundtable's Statement on the purpose of the corporation (2019)Europe's Consultation on Sustainable Corporate Governance (2020)Section 172 of the UK Companies Act (2006)CII's statement opposing the BRT's 2019 Restatement ("accountability to everyone means accountability to no one")On the rise of ESG [26:47] "[I think] ESG has grown from a deeper understanding of stewardship since 2008... I would take away the G [since we've always been focused on governance] so really what we have witnessed is the rise of E and S... and this year COVID has shifted the narrative particularly around the S." For example, ICGN members have focused on "human capital management":Health and safetyStaff training due to WFHIncome inequality, pay.Many ICGN members have formed the "Human Capital Management Coalition" which has been engaging with the SEC, resulting in new disclosure rules involving human capital resources [28:49]Her take on climate change [29:31]ICGN is calling for ESG reporting on an international scale to address climate change.Many ICGN members are calling for Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosure (TCFD) frameworkNZ is the first country in the world to make climate reporting compulsory with TCFD.Her take on diversity [32:38]Focus on disclosure of diversity policies.Measurable targets, goals and time periods.Boards should disclose skills matrix. "For me, one of the biggest barriers of board diversity is director tenure, 'zombie directors', we need to have a policy of board refreshment and board evaluation." "There is still a problem surrounding the 'old boys network', the 'male, pale and stale crew.'"Her take on Big Tech [39:14]She's worried about the "covert behavioral manipulative algorithms that are gradually changing the way we think, feel and act." (for example, as described in The Social Dilemma documentary)ICGN has not weighed into this issue. From a governance perspective many ICGN members cannot influence these companies due to dual-class share structures that make them less accountable to shareholders (ICGN advocates for a "one share one vote" structure)."The U.S. also has weaker data privacy regulations than Europe, and that's a problem."Her parting thoughts for directors "investors are your allies" [44:34]Her favorite books: [49:27]Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now, (2018) by Jaron Lanier (this is the book that she's currently reading)Factfulness, (2018) by Hans Rosling.Corporate Governance and Chairmanship, (2002) by Sir Adrian Cadbury.Her professional mentor: [46:45]Anne Simpson, currently at CalPERS.His favorite quotes: [47:50]"You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start from where you are and change the ending.” (C.S. Lewis)"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” (Dr. Seus, The Lorax).Her unusual habit [48:53]The living person she most admires [49:43]David AttenboroughJacinda ArdernMusic/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
When institutional investors divest from fossil fuel companies does it have more than symbolic impact? Universities, pension funds and other asset managers have hopped on the divest–invest bandwagon. Critics say selling fossil fuel stocks just makes them cheaper for others to buy and doesn't affect the financial health of oil and gas companies. Supporters say it's a moral move that also makes financial sense because burning all the carbon on the balance sheets of listed energy companies will destroy human civilization as we know it. What's the bottom line on divestment? What should you do with your portfolio? Join a conversation about financing the transition to a cleaner economy with Brian Deese, global head of sustainable investing at Black Rock, Lori Keith, portfolio manager at Parnassus Investments, Pratima Rangarajan, CEO of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, and Anne Simpson, director of board governance & strategy at CalPERS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today’s episode, we cover:What is CalPERS, its origins and its mission?How its priorities and concerns about climate change is rooted in its fiduciary responsibility to pensioners current and futureAnne’s career at CalPERS and early work focusing on corporate governanceWhat CalPERS learned from the 2008 financial crisis and how it informs its perspective and priorities regarding climate changeCalPERS’ ten “Pension Beliefs” that define its investment strategyHow being a longterm investor is both an advantage and a responsibilityAvoiding the curse of short-termism and how simply following the money isn’t sufficientHow CalPERS views types of capital beyond the financialHow Anne developed a strategy for sustainable investmentCalPERS’ top three sustainability factors (diversity & inclusion, demographics and climate change)The role CalPERS plays as a climate change advocateHow it leverages its shareholder position to influence companies to be in accord with The Paris AgreementResearch done to better understand the portfolio’s contributions to emissionsWork performed to assess climate-risk among CalPERS’ assetsThe fund’s emissions commitments over the next thirty yearsThe double-edged sword of divesting from companies not meeting climate goalsLinks to topics discussed in this episode:CalPERS: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/CalPERS Pension Beliefs: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/docs/board-agendas/201702/pension/item7-01.pdfClimate Action 100+: http://www.climateaction100.org/The Investor Agenda: https://theinvestoragenda.org/
Poetry can be for everyone! PhDiva Xine interviews 2017 Green College Writer-in-Residence Anne Simpson about dying well, pedagogy, and publishing -- and lifting heavy weights as a feminist act. Winner of prestigious Canadian literature awards like the Griffin, Anne has published poetry, novels, and essays. Featuring brief segments with Tiara Kerr (economics) and Wes Yocom (law)as glimpses into how a poetry workshop environment can be enriching regardless of your disciplinary background. How can medical students benefit from creative writing? How might drawings of neurons by Santiago Ramón y Cajal, groundbreaking neuroscientist, inspire poetry that allows us to work through our relationship to memory? As Audre Lorde once wrote, poetry is not a luxury. You can find out more about Anne's work here: http://www.annesimpson.ca/
Craig has a conversation with Anne Simpson, who just retired from 35 years of flying for the airlines. Anne flew 727s, A320s, 747s, and finished in A330s, routinely flying virtually all over the world. Anne talks about the routine of flying, and what's happening behind the scenes while most of us are in a crowd of 300 or 400 people in the main cabin of the airplane.
Kevin and Pam take the reins and chat with Geoffrey Nilson about many things poetic including poems from his chapbook We Have to Watch.
Dean Steven Currall moderates a conversation with Sandy Weill, Former Chairman/CEO of Citigroup, and his wife, Joan Weill, followed by a discussion about the future of pension plans with Anne Simpson, Senior Portfolio Manager, Investments and Director of Corporate Governance, California Public Employee's Retirement System (CalPERS) Series: "UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Executive Speakers and Special Events" [Public Affairs] [Business] [Show ID: 24959]
Dean Steven Currall moderates a conversation with Sandy Weill, Former Chairman/CEO of Citigroup, and his wife, Joan Weill, followed by a discussion about the future of pension plans with Anne Simpson, Senior Portfolio Manager, Investments and Director of Corporate Governance, California Public Employee's Retirement System (CalPERS) Series: "UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Executive Speakers and Special Events" [Public Affairs] [Business] [Show ID: 24959]
Anne Simpson is the Senior Portfolio Manager, Investments and Director of Corporate Governance at CalPERS. It is the largest public pension system in the United States with approximately $224 billion under management. She addresses incoming MBA students at UC Davis about the role of companies and corporations today and historically. She also explores corporate governance and how it needs to be refined to create better companies. Series: "UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Executive Speakers and Special Events" [Business] [Show ID: 24367]
Anne Simpson is the Senior Portfolio Manager, Investments and Director of Corporate Governance at CalPERS. It is the largest public pension system in the United States with approximately $224 billion under management. She addresses incoming MBA students at UC Davis about the role of companies and corporations today and historically. She also explores corporate governance and how it needs to be refined to create better companies. Series: "UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Executive Speakers and Special Events" [Business] [Show ID: 24367]
UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series (Video)
UC Davis Graduate School of Management's Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series (Audio)
Anne Simpson is the senior portfolio manager, investments, and director of corporate governance at CalPERS, the largest public pension system in the United States with approximately $224 billion under management. The corporate governance program includes CalPERS Focus List of shareholder engagement with companies, global proxy voting, legal and regulatory reform agenda and CalPERS actively managed corporate governance investment strategy. Simpson talks about her work to integrate environmental, social, and governance across the total fund.