Sustainable Finance for Directors
Discover how sustainable finance is changing the way organisations operate
- Identify and evaluate the key themes currently driving sustainable finance.
- Develop and create a sustainable finance strategy for your organisation.
- Critically examine the role of regulators, governments and investors.
- Synthesise key strategic issues which will shape sustainable finance and board oversight in the future.
What you need to know
Overview
Suitable for:
Sustainable Finance for Directors is suitable for current and future board members and senior executives.
In recent years sustainable finance has moved from being a fringe issue to being a critical topic for every board and organisation.
Intense pressure from consumers and environmental action groups has forced governments and businesses to factor ESG issues into their decision-making and monitoring.
Sustainable finance has become a disruptive force and is changing the way that organisations operate at a fundamental level.
Those that don’t change face marginalisation, declining influence, lower profits or, in certain cases, significant fines.
Every senior executive and board member should be aware of the key issues and trends in sustainable finance, how they are likely to develop in the future and what this means for their own board and organisation context.
Key benefits
- Equip senior executives and board members with the tools to construct and prioritise organisational sustainable finance strategies.
- Discover how your organisation will offer higher returns for investors as a sustainable business.
- Gain awareness of the key issues and trends in sustainable finance.
- Learn how to think differently about ESG performance to drive change and deliver more business value.
Course structure
The programme is delivered as a workshop over two days, with interaction very much encouraged. Each session contains a core taught element, consisting of presentations and videos.
Led by Dr John Chessher the programme is based around practitioner-led experiences and research. All topics are linked to real-life examples. Each session contains a group activity, where participants work in teams to answer questions based on real-life case studies.
Programme Content:
The module is delivered in even sessions:
| Session | Content |
|---|---|
| Overview of sustainable finance | The three elements of sustainable finance – environment, social and governance – are discussed. The development of sustainable finance in recent years is analysed. |
| Sustainable finance issues | These are identified and discussed, including greenwashing, transition finance and regulation. |
| ESG ratings and measurement | It is vital that we are able to measure ESG factors if organisations are going to make meaningful progress towards a sustainable future. However, this is a challenging and contentious issue. |
| Sustainable finance strategies for organisations | Sustainable business thinking is a disruptive force in business. Thinking differently about ESG performance can drive change that delivers more business value while harnessing the power of enterprise to deliver better outcomes for people and the planet. |
| Sustainable finance and governments | Governments are under intense pressure to find a balance between green strategies and maximising economic growth. We examine the different sustainable finance approaches of the governments in the USA, Europe and China to analyse what they mean to organisations. |
| Sustainable finance strategies for investors | Investors no longer face a choice between profit and saving the planet: evidence is mounting that sustainable businesses offer higher returns for investors. But investors often face difficult choices, and these are analysed in this section. |
| Sustainability and strategic oversight futures | The key future sustainable finance issues are identified and their impacts on board strategic monitoring and organisations evaluated. |
Teaching staff
Programme director
Lead tutor
Location and facilities
Set in sweeping parkland on the banks of the River Thames, Henley Business School's Greenlands campus provides an inspiring and reflective environment for focused work and study.
Why choose Henley?
4th
in the UK overall for executive education programmes
(Financial Times Executive Education ranking 2025)For 80 years, Henley Business School has developed confident and resilient business leaders. Executive Education at Henley is:
- Practical: we combine academic rigour with a strong practical focus, so you can immediately apply what you have learned back in your organisation.
- Relevant: Henley faculty are experienced practitioners who can support you in exploring solutions to your organisation’s challenges.
- Collaborative: Open programmes enable you to expand your network, gain new perspectives and share ideas with peers from a range of backgrounds and sectors.
- Personal: deliberately small learning groups allow you to benefit from individual attention and a confidential environment. We encourage you to understand your unique strengths, leadership style, and areas for development.
"Henley has a wonderful campus, with a unique blend of cutting-edge teaching in a traditional learning environment. It’s a lovely place which is conducive to learning."
Contact us
Open Programmes
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the programme, please contact our programme advisors.
Email: exec@henley.ac.ukTelephone: 01491 418767
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