New Book Launch: Agents of Change by Sumantra Sen

The book is based on story of big business leaders and their business for a cause

Publication date December, 2014
Price Rs 399
Extent 352 pages
Binding Hardback

India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and one of the most attractive investment destinations amongst the emerging markets. The above statement remains true, despite the several scams, incidents of red-tape in the bureaucracy and generally crumbling infrastructure scenario, of the current times. That said, how many of us have fallen prey to blaming all of the above shortcomings on the government? How many times have we blamed a pothole on the road, electric load-shedding, irregular water supply and never arriving government documents on the powers that rule the country!

While that has been the common approach, there are a few, amongst the crème de la crème of corporate India, that are rapidly becoming the agents of change, through indulging in investments with a social purpose, making a difference to the country we live in, and making a profit out of it at the same time.

To name a few: Ratan Tata, Azim Premji, Narayan Murthy, Kumar Manglam Birla, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Anand Mahindra, and Bill and Melinda Gates. They all have earned their millions, and continue to do what they do best—earn a few million more, by putting their money where the mouth is, investing in areas starved of capital, so far considered social sector projects. Agents of Change aims at tracing the evolution of these practices in India and discusses some of the practices that can be taken mainstream through active engagement and collaboration.

Sumantra Sen
Sumantra Sen is the Founder and CEO at Responsible Investment Research Association, a think-and-do tank engaged in facilitation of mainstreaming the Environment, Social and Governance factors into the financial markets. He is also the Managing Partner at ESGalier Advisors LLP, a sustainable strategy and investment advisory firm focused on corporate governance and impact investing.

Sumantra is a member at Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, UK and has over 18 years of experience in global capital markets and investment management while managing key assignments at organizations like ABN AMRO and Bank of America. Sumantra has a subject matter interest and expertise in Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment.

He is an active member of Network for Sustainability in Financial Markets and the Academic Network at United Nations Principles for Responsible Investments where he collaborates with other experts in driving policy and research. He serves at the advisory board at the Climate Bond Initiative, UK and Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment (ASrIA), Hong Kong. He is also a member of the Environment & Energy Committee at Indian Merchants Chamber, Mumbai.

He contributes to published work in the ESG domain. He has recently contributed a chapter dedicated to the status in India to ‘Evolutions in Sustainable Investing’ a book published by Wiley Finance. His expert comments on ESG issues and the role of Responsible Investment has been covered in Ethical Markets, Clean Biz Asia, Responsible Investor and Benchmark amongst others. He is a valued speaker on the subjects of Mainstreaming of ESG and Impact Investing at global platforms.