The HEC Montréal Foundation is proud to announce a major partnership with iA Financial Group, marking a significant milestone in the development of sustainable finance research at HEC Montréal. The $1 million donation will support, over a 10-year period, the research activities of the Chair in Sustainable Finance, which will henceforth be known as the iA Financial Group Chair in Sustainable Finance.
This funding will contribute to major advances in this area of research, including the development of cutting-edge knowledge in sustainable finance, training for specialists in the field and knowledge transfer to the business community.
"It is with a renewed sense of pride that I would like to thank iA Financial Group for its unwavering support of the School. By making such a generous commitment today to support research into sustainable finance, our long-standing partner is giving us the means to develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges facing society today,”
This support marks a decisive turning point for sustainable finance research at HEC Montréal. This financial support will strengthen two areas of research: the effect of taking environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into account on investment performance, and the effect of these same criteria on investor decision-making. It will provide training for doctoral and master's students, who will contribute to the advancement of new knowledge in this fast-growing field of research under the direction of Iwan Meier, professor in the Department of Finance at HEC and Holder of the Chair in Sustainable Finance.
"iA Financial Group's 10-year donation is a clear demonstration of our shared ambition to make a significant contribution to the development of knowledge in this field. This long-term commitment ensures the continuity of our research efforts and our contribution to moving the financial sector towards more sustainable practices, both locally and internationally. The results of our research will be put to use in the sustainable finance ecosystem and the Quebec business community, with the aim of stimulating innovation in the finance sector. They will also be used to train the next generation of sustainable finance specialists and to make this discipline a driving force for change in investment strategy.”
The financial sector and investors play a crucial role in achieving objectives in the fight against climate change. As part of this effort, it is becoming essential for the finance industry to develop knowledge in all the various facets of sustainable finance, such as responsible investment strategies, financial performance analysis, ESG risk management and even decarbonization of investment portfolios and its impact on future performance.
" We're really pleased to be partnering with HEC Montréal to provide long-term support for the important work of the iA Financial Group Chair in Sustainable Finance. On one hand, the orientations of this research chair are well aligned with iA Financial Group's philosophy of responsible investment. And secondly, investing in the development of people is at the heart of iA's approach to being a learning organization. These two aspects of the project confirm our positioning towards the integration of ESG factors and sustainability at the heart of our decision-making processes. We are all the more delighted to be able to carry out this promising project with a partner of the calibre of HEC Montréal, whose academic reputation is recognized worldwide."
