Your values are your biggest asset
Master of Science (MSc) Sustainable Finance testimonials
I was previously a research engineer in Singapore before deciding to do something more meaningful hence my choice to do a Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Finance. I decided on this programme as it was one of the first to focus entirely on sustainable finance and for its location in Paris, one of the major financial centres in Europe. The experience and the network of the programme's director is undeniable. The curriculum provided the foundation for my current post-doc research work which I am currently doing under LCL-KEDGE Impact Finance Chair, working on empirical macroeconomic models to understand the impact of climate change on the French economy.
Being in touch with many professionals, we can see the rising demand for hybrid talents who handle both the challenges of finance and those of sustainability and responsibility.
At the beginning of the 21st century, intangible assets represent the majority of investments and of the financial value of companies. Think about GAFA! Not measuring them and not including their impact into financial valuation models mean accepting to be largely blinded with regards to the durability of the future cash flows of the companies in which we invest.
"After graduating as an agricultural engineer in 2017, I decided to specialize in sustainable finance, aware of the excesses of the financial world and convinced of the crucial role it could play in addressing social and environmental issues. The MSc Corporate & Sustainable Finance was the best specialisation in this field. In addition to acquiring a solid foundation in finance, the interventions of numerous professionals in sustainable finance gave me a concrete and pragmatic vision of the stakes and problems of the sector, and greatly facilitated my professional integration".
“In the urgent and necessary transition to a more sustainable world, everyone must play their part. The KEDGE-Candriam chair, linking the strengths of two institutions recognized for their know-how in responsible investment, is a pioneering initiative of international scope with the aim of training future generations of investors through its “pedagogy” axis (development of innovative educational content, networking, targeted internships and dissertations, etc.) of which the MSc Sustainable Finance is a major component. This chair is therefore anchored at the heart of Candriam's corporate mission, entirely focused on accelerating change through investment. By advancing research on the materiality of the impact of investments, we want to help investors make allocation choices that support a long-term vision in accordance with these principles. "
Looking for a specialized training mixing the fields of Finance and Sustainable Development, I joined this MSc which offered two guarantees: on the one hand the financial lessons required for any function in the financial world, and on the other hand courses focused on the integration of sustainability issues in contemporary finance and economics, topics for which I have a professional interest. This choice to evolve in this environment was built progressively during my studies, conducted in the first place at Science Po Grenoble: a general training in economics, law, international relations, completed by internships, particularly within the French Development Agency. Having a generalist profile associated with a "niche" specialization is in my opinion a good position in the job market, and allows me to link work and convictions. I have been working since the end of my studies in the Pensions Branch of Caisse des Dépôts, where my role as an SRI analyst is to integrate the responsible investment requirements of a large pension fund into the financial management of their reserves.
« After a generalist Bachelor's degree in business school, I decided to continue my studies by specializing in finance. The financial crisis of 2008 - and its consequences - opened my eyes to the deregulation and hyper-financiarisation of the financial system. This crisis highlighted several flaws in the system, such as incomplete analysis of the risks incurred by investors, based solely on financial data. The MSc Corporate & Sustainable Finance offered by Kedge BS de-dusted traditional finance to make it more sustainable. Thus, this MSc allows you to acquire the financial bases necessary for any profession in the sector (M&A, Financial Analyst, etc.) while developing solid knowledge of a non-financial nature (identifying and qualifying the risks borne by a company, valuing an asset with regard to its overall performance (financial and non-financial)). Led by academic or professional speakers, this master's degree has enabled me to develop my critical thinking skills thanks to the multitude of subjects covered, and the points of view presented on the challenges facing our society and the potential responses to be provided. »
“After an undergraduate degree, I was looking for a specialized programme that focused on my majors, corporate social responsibility and finance. During my Bachelor’s, I discovered the growing industry of socially responsible and impact investing and identified its goals and values as some I was starting to develop. Looking then for a finance programme that had sustainability in mind, I found the MSc in Sustainable Finance, which had it at its core. One of its most appealing perspective was the large share of professors and speakers who were professionals of the industry. Combined with the extensive use of case-studies, the coursework was more practical and tangible, allowing to apply the academic theory. I am since the end of the programme part of the responsible investment team at AXA Investment Managers, first as an intern in Paris and now in a V.I.E in London. Working at an active asset manager, my role within the team deals with investment research and engagement with investee companies, and has more recently focused on building research on impact in listed equities, to develop new impact-themed funds. Active ownership is a core value of the team. Our large pension schemes clients -insurers or corporates- have a long-term vision and see sustainability as a key to protect their capital by contributing to systemic issues. It is completely in line with all that I have learnt during my Master’s degree.”
