Get to know Impax: Ambitiously driving the sustainable investment industry forward

Sustainability. In the recent past, it has been a word that has been on the lips of executives and investors and has been asked for on many pitch decks. In this edition of the Driving Ambition interview series, the guest founded his company long before sustainable business was en vogue. Since its inception in 1998, Impax Asset Management has reaffirmed Ian Simm’s ambition to help create a better future for our planet.

Impax is a specialist asset manager investing in the opportunities arising from the transition to a more sustainable global economy. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2001. With Simm at its center, the company has established itself as one of the UK’s leading advocates of sustainable investment. This recognition from investors continued to grow during the pandemic as the focus was on sustainability.

Our host on the series, Oli Barrett, sat down with Ian to discuss key trends in sustainable investing, the benefits of being a publicly traded company, COP26, and more. Check out the full discussion below.

We discussed the following in the discussion:

• Can you tell us a little about Impax and your work? (0:44)
• What kind of companies does Impax invest in? (1:40)
• You founded the company over 20 years ago, before sustainability was a major focus. How did you feel about the direction the business world was headed? (2:21)
• Can you tell us about the size of the business as it is today? (3:07)
• We’ve had Brexit and the pandemic in recent years. How did your company deal with it and how has it changed as a result? (3:37)
• What are the advantages of a publicly traded company, especially in turbulent times? (5:18)
• What challenges and opportunities do you see in the next 12 months? (6:18)
• Would you like the UK leadership to be more open about the opportunities for sustainable development? (7:27)
• When you hear companies explain their goal to Net Zero, should we be pleased that it is progress, or should we question the fortuitous consequences of those declarations? (8:32)
• Not only is Impax interested in putting capital into great companies, but you’re also interested in the bigger picture (such as politics and the future of technology). Why do you have this broader view and how do you go about it? (10:30)
• In your opinion, what motivates large companies to invest in Impax? (12:31)
• What should the UK learn from other countries about sustainable investment? (13:59)
• As a business leader, do you think COP26 is an important meeting? And if so, why? (15:30)
• Which industries or trends should we keep an eye on when it comes to sustainable investment? (16:50)
• Are there certain regions of the world that are characterized by exciting investments? (18:07)
• Do we have enough talent in the UK to continue driving the sustainability agenda? (19:22)
• How does Impax differ from other asset management companies? (20:35)
• Have you ever thought about moving into politics? (22:00)

What is the FinnCap Ambition Nation Listing 50?

The Driving Ambition interview series introduces companies that are represented on finnCap’s Ambition Nation Listed 50. In 2018, the renowned financial advisor finnCap founded Ambition Nation; a platform for innovative, high-growth companies to present their success stories and discuss the challenges of the modern business landscape.

The companies on the Ambition Nation 50 list are firmly at the heart of UK corporate growth and are small to mid-cap PLCs identified using the finnCap Group‘s slide rule. This stock analysis tool identifies companies that offer the best mix of growth and quality.

finnCap advises ambitious companies and promotes their stories in order to find the right investment for growth. You also help these companies find the right growth capital for them. More information is available on the finnCap website.