From £50 weekend jobs to £50bn of real assets; Aviva Investors’ head of responsible investment on carpentry, cynicism and the simple mantra to demystify ESG

On this episode of Tech Talk radio, host Emily Wright is joined by Aviva Investors' head of responsible investment Ed Dixon as reveals the simple mantra the real estate sector needs when it comes to demystifying ESG - and it's not acronyms. A former carpenter who lost his job in the 2008 recession, Dixon talks about his career path from "fifty quid weekend jobs" to "£50bn of real assets 20 years later" and discusses why "it's OK" that head of sustainability and director roles in large real estate companies are increasingly being taken up by younger, less experienced people. "Young people are taking on incrementally bigger and bigger roles in this space. They are taking risks, they are getting the leadership team on board and they are delivering great stuff. I think it's working."Dixon also touches on the transition from investing in climate solutions such as green buildings to tackling climate in its entirety and why finding the "bright spots" in the sector and ignoring those with their heads down resisting change is crucial to progress. And, in a direct message to listeners, he told them the simple question they could ask themselves as soon as they had finished listening to the podcast that would reveal whether or not they are on the right tracks as we navigate "a time of change tantamount to the industrial revolution". To find out more, tune in now.