Alex Godfrey appointed as Investment Director to lead the strategy
Octopus Investments (Octopus), an investment manager investing in the people, ideas and industries that will change the world, has today announced it has launched a natural capital strategy.
The strategy will aim to generate high-integrity carbon removal credits through comprehensive conservation and land management. It will look to provide investors with attractive, sustainable returns and the opportunity to accelerate the transition to net zero by kick-starting the natural capital economy.
The strategy will be led by Alex Godfrey, recently appointed as Investment Director. Alex is a seasoned professional in the field of natural capital, regenerative agriculture and climate finance, with over 15 years of experience in investment banking, venture building and environmental consulting. Alex joins Octopus from Savills, where he was Head of Natural Capital (Rural and Projects), leading the development and delivery of innovative solutions for landowners, investors and policymakers, leveraging his expertise in carbon markets, biodiversity, and water.
Reporting to Mike Toft, Senior Fund Manager, Alex will be honing the Octopus approach to high quality credits, focusing on data-led monitoring, co-benefits of biodiversity, improving the ecosystem, permanence and transparency. He will also play a key role in fostering strong relationships with local communities and sourcing best-in-class, trusted operators to partner with, ensuring the Strategy is built on quality conservation.
Octopus Investments has set an ambitious goal to grow its assets under management from £13bn to £50bn by 2030, whereby a large proportion of this growth will come from the expansion of the institutional business. Octopus manages several funds, including some with a focus on assets such as housing and sustainable infrastructure. This move into natural capital is the next part of this plan.
Mike Toft said:
“Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time and while reducing carbon emissions to reach net zero targets is key to addressing this challenge, we will not reach this goal by decarbonisation alone. We know that more high-quality carbon credits need to be generated to help offset carbon and accelerate our net zero efforts.
“We also know that companies want to do the right thing for all stakeholders; the planet, their customers, shareholders and employees. With their own net zero targets approaching, they too are increasingly realising that offsetting will need to play a critical part in that journey. We are aiming to meet this demand through our holistic, nature-based strategy and with Alex now on board with his on the ground conservation experience, we are even better placed to do so.”
Alex Godfrey said:
“I have seen over the years how Octopus makes use of its capital. With its entrepreneurial approach and ability to provide innovative solutions to sectors ripe for change, Octopus aims to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. In the past there has been huge success with solar power, care homes and the energy transition.
“I’m excited to be part of this next priority area for Octopus with natural capital having similar characteristics to these previous big wins; a specialist area in an underdeveloped part of the market that is expected to grow exponentially. I look forward to bringing this to life, creating impact and generating sustainable investment returns for our investors.”
