The EIA Advisory Group (EIAAG) are volunteers from the EIA membership who provide guidance and management of the EIA.
John Ditchfield – Co-Chair
John Ditchfield DipPFS MCSI is one of the UK’s foremost specialists in responsible investment with over 20 years experience advising private and corporate clients in the sector. John was formerly a Director of UKSIF and of the UK’s first responsible investment specialist Barchester Green Investment. In addition to working as an Adviser John also supported the development of the Social Stock Exchange as a member of the admissions panel, reviewing impact assessment reports for quoted businesses.
As Co-Chair of the EIA John continues to support the growth of the UK’s responsible investment market.
“I support the EIA because I want to see the market for responsible investment continue to expand in the UK and globally, the EIA provides a valuable training resource for all financial planners and financial advisers I have found the regular meetings an invaluable source of information on this sector”.
Tanya Pein – Co-Chair
Tanya is an award-winning investment adviser, who specialises in advising charities and individuals at the London firm In2 Planning. She is a regular guest lecturer on investment, in the UK and overseas. She has particular expertise in introducing new clients to ethical and sustainable investment, and in training for trustees on investment issues. She was co-founder of UnLtd, Europe’s largest charity for social entrepreneurs.
“I am active in the EIA because working together is the best way to ultimately make green and ethical investment the most popular choice for investors. The EIA is an efficient and friendly way for advisers to keep updated on SRI developments, and on ethical issues in financial services in general.”
Olivia Bowen
Olivia has worked in ethical finance for all of her career, spanning 13 years, and has been a Director at Gaeia since 2008. She is passionate about protecting the planet and people, and encouraging higher standards corporate behaviour, that affect us all.
“I have been a member of the EIA throughout my career, and have found it one of the best sources of information for improving knowledge & keeping up to date”.
Richard Essex
Richard is an Independent Financial Consultant with Grayside Financial Services, based in Epsom, Surrey. He has been providing Independent Financial Planning and advice for individuals for nearly 20 years, and in the last 2 or 3 years has started to focus on ethical and environmentally responsible investing.
‘Working alongside individuals dealing in the mainstream I believe I can offer the EIA insight into the way the SRI market can expand its message to the wider market. There is an ever-expanding body of evidence to support SRI and the EIA are vital in helping to communicate this.’
Julian Parrott
Julian is a Partner with Edinburgh based, ethical IFA, Ethical Futures. With over 20 years experience in financial services, he specialises in ethical investment and financial planning for private clients, trusts and charities. Julian has been actively involved in development of ethical and responsible investment and is the past Chair of the EIA and was also a Director of UKSIF.
“I see ethical and socially responsible investment models as keys contributors to developing a fairer and more sustainable society. Financial advisers have an important role to play in advising clients about these investment opportunities and the EIA is the natural home for advisers who want to develop their knowledge and competency in the area. I hope that my contribution to the group can help ‘spread the word’ and develop more interest in the sector.”
The UKSIF Ethical Investment Association Advisory Group (EIAAG) is appointed by the UKSIF Board and acts as a sub-committee of the Board.
The EIAAG is drawn from the membership of the EIA. In addition one UKSIF staff member familiar with providing the secretariat function for the EIA is co-opted onto the EIAAG. The EIAAG also has the option to co-opt other persons onto the Advisory Group where it supports EIAAG in fulfilling its role (for instance a representative of APFA etc).
There is no specific maximum or minimum number of EIAAG members but generally the total is within the 4-8 person range.