London Finance Breakfast

 David C. Neil is the Chief Executive Officer and a founding partner of Genesta, a Nordic-focused real estate fund and investment management firm. In his current role, he is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction, overseeing investment decisions, and leading the firm’s operations across its portfolio of commercial real estate assets. He works closely with institutional investors to deliver long-term, risk-adjusted returns, while driving value creation through active asset management, development, and repositioning initiatives. Under his leadership, Genesta continues to focus on high-quality assets in key Nordic markets, combining local market expertise with a disciplined investment approach. 

James is Chief Executive of UKSIF, leading its mission to advance sustainable investment and finance in the UK. He also serves as Chair of the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA), helping to mobilise the global financial services industry to support the transition to a sustainable economy.

Since joining in 2020, he has overseen significant growth at UKSIF, which now represents over 300 member organisations collectively managing more than £19tn. He has strengthened the organisation’s communications, public affairs and events, enhancing its influence with policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders.

James regularly represents UKSIF in engagements with government and regulators, including appearances at Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions select committees, and participation in key policy working groups. He previously served as Treasurer of Eurosif. In 2023, he received the Outstanding Individual Contribution to the ESG Investment Industry award at the Clear Path Analysis ESG Investment Leader Awards.

Before UKSIF, James held senior roles in international climate finance at C40 Cities, where he developed and led initiatives supporting cities to structure sustainable infrastructure investments. He has also contributed to UN climate finance initiatives and remains a member of the UN SDSN Global Commission for Urban SDG Finance.

Hélène is an Investment Director in Aberdeen’s Infrastructure Private Equity team, where she focuses on sourcing, executing and managing investments across core / core+ infrastructure sectors in Europe. She has extensive experience investing in assets that provide essential services, including energy, transport, utilities and telecommunications, with a focus on delivering stable, long-term returns. She currently holds Board positions for two of Aberdeen’s investments in the renewable and telecom sectors.

Hélène joined Aberdeen in 2020, having previously focused on a similar mandate at Ancala Partners. She started her career in project finance covering conventional energy opportunities at Societe Generale.

Joe is head of Equitix’s Investment Stewardship & Sustainability team who work throughout the investment lifecycle to integrate relevant sustainability considerations into fund strategy, investment decision making, ongoing asset management and reporting. He is also a member of the pre-investment committee, which reviews and scrutinises opportunities prior to submission to the fund investment committee.

Since joining in 2021, Joe has been responsible for establishing Equitix’s approach to integrating material sustainability factors, including through new transaction-related and asset management tools and processes, developing engagement themes and priorities across a diverse portfolio of 350+ infrastructure assets and producing an extensive suite of sustainability-related reports for fund investors.

In this time, Equitix has been shortlisted for multiple industry awards for its sustainability strategy, launched a range of funds structured in line with Article 8 and Article 9 SFDR, integrated the recommendations of the TCFD throughout the investment lifecycle, and secured UK Space Agency funding for research and development related to climate risk.

Prior to joining Equitix, Joe had a range of experience in the infrastructure sector having started his career as a trainee at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, followed by experience in policy and regulation at the Global Infrastructure Investor Association.

Joe holds an MA Law with Distinction from the University of Law and a BSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bristol, where he also spent time studying abroad in Belgium and China.

Werner Grub is a Managing Director at the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), where he leads origination activities, focusing on developing and structuring financing solutions for large corporates and international projects. In his current role, he is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and supporting Danish companies and global partners in accessing capital for complex, capital-intensive initiatives—particularly within sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and sustainable development.