Leanne Clements

SUPPORTERS – Caroline Escott, Railpen and Sarah Wilson, Minerva Analytics

AREAS OF EXPERTISE RELEVANT TO THE UKSIF BOARD - Asset owner voice, systems stewardship

We have reached a pivotal moment for our industry, particularly in relation to stewardship. While the challenges facing responsible investment are significant, I welcome them as an opportunity for honest reflection, constructive dialogue, and decisive action. These are essential ingredients for developing practical and durable solutions to the complex issues that affect long-term investment outcomes.

Asset owners have always played a critical role in the responsible investment ecosystem. By placing beneficiaries’ interests at the centre of decision-making, they bring a valuable long-term perspective to stewardship and sustainable value creation. However, the increasingly complex landscape, both in the UK and internationally, presents a range of systemic barriers that can limit the effectiveness of stewardship activities. In this environment, it is more important than ever that asset owners work collectively to strengthen their voice, influence policy and market practice, and ensure stewardship remains focused on delivering outcomes that protect beneficiaries’ best interests.

Membership organisations such as UKSIF have an important role to play in convening stakeholders, advocating for positive change, and driving industry progress. This is why I have decided to put forward my candidacy for UKSIF’s Board. With 17 years’ experience in responsible investment, grounded in an asset owner perspective, I am a strategic leader and catalyst for change. I bring an independent mindset, a strong moral compass, and the confidence to challenge conventional thinking when necessary. Above all, I will be a strong and effective advocate for the asset owner voice on UKSIF’s Board.

Susan Spiller

SUPPORTERS – Martin Kearney, Liontrust and Beth Goldsmith, Royal London Asset Management

AREAS OF EXPERTISE RELEVANT TO THE UKSIF BOARD - UK and EU sustainability regulations; technical funds knowledge; Consumer Duty/customer understanding; strategy; industry engagement

I am applying to join the UKSIF Board because its mission to support sustainable and responsible finance, working closely with industry and regulators, strongly aligns with my values and experience.

I recently retired from a 24-year executive career at Royal London Asset Management, where I developed deep expertise in investment products, including sustainable investing. As Head of Product, I was executive sponsor for major regulatory changes, such as SDR and SFDR. I bring strong technical knowledge of investment funds and practical experience of embedding sustainability in products and customer / adviser communications.

As an executive director on four Royal London fund boards, I worked closely with independent directors and senior leaders to balance commercial opportunity with customer outcomes and regulatory expectations. I also bring a clear customer focus: sustainable investing can be complex, and I believe UKSIF plays an important role in promoting clearer disclosures and better understanding for clients and their advisers.

I have been actively engaged across the industry as a member and chair of Investment Association committees and through UKSIF forums covering investment funds, responsible investment and product governance. These roles have strengthened my ability to listen, challenge constructively and contribute to strategic decision-making.

Alongside my executive role, I am a trustee of Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders, a Newham-based charity, and chair its Investment Committee. This provides me with the additional perspective of asset owner and the importance of values in their investments.